Discover Lufingen

Lufingen lies between the Glatt Valley and Töss Valley in Zurich’s Unterland region. There are several different starting points for planning a stay: the Reformed church with its traces of art, the “Schloss” ensemble on the edge of the village, the Gelsberg castle site, and activities ranging from nature to brewing culture. This gives you a way to explore the area according to whether you are interested in architectural history, a hike or a seasonal event.

Church, art and history

The Reformed church stands on elevated ground in the historic village centre. Its Neoclassical nave and distinctive tower with four gables shape the village’s appearance. Fragments of wall paintings from the second half of the 15th century have been uncovered in the late-medieval choir tower, including a depiction of the Madonna and Child.

Lufingen is mentioned in a document from 1157 as “Luvingener”, in connection with a donation of land to St. Blaise Abbey. Between 1496 and 1498, Heinrich Brennwald was rector of Lufingen parish church. Annual accounts from 1765 to 1797 for the church and poor funds of the Evangelical Reformed parish have been preserved.

The “Schloss” ensemble and the Gelsberg castle site

On the edge of the village is a heritage ensemble known as the “Schloss”. It includes the Reformed rectory, a washhouse and a rectory fountain. The rectory was built in 1663 by Johann Heinrich Waser as the seat of the Lufingen judicial lordship, which existed until 1765. The buildings and fountain add further historical landmarks to the village’s church history.

Another kind of historic site is the Gelsberg castle site, on a wooded ridge southeast of and above the village. A marked hiking trail leads uphill from Lufingen along Mülistrasse into the forest and on to the castle site. There, an approximately 70-metre-long, trapezoidal plateau is protected on three sides by defensive ditches. Check current route information before setting out, as local trail conditions may change.

Hiking trail and pilgrimage offering

The 70-kilometre Fryheitsweg 1525 passes through six localities, including Lufingen. Here, the route provides further explanations of the key term “key figures”. At Lufingen church, as part of the trail, a liturgical service can be attended in the pilgrimage corner, with an optional symbolic act; participation details may depend on local arrangements. Check the route information before setting out, and if you are interested, confirm arrangements for attending the service in advance.

Nature and golf in Augwil

In 2023–2024, the Schlossreben nature reserve was maintained as an extensively managed cultural landscape. During the same period, sand lizards and slowworms could be readily observed there. Flowering orchids and Siberian irises were also seen at Augwil Golf Course in May and June. For the municipality’s land-use breakdown, 2018 provides a specific reference point: at that time, 42.1 percent of the municipal area was agricultural land and 37.6 percent was forest.

Golf Augwil in Lufingen-Augwil has a 9-hole golf course. Courses for beginners and taster golf days are offered. Green-fee guests with memberships from Switzerland and abroad are welcome. Course times and guest terms may change, so check them before making plans.

Beer experiences and Christmas market

The Schlachthuus craft brewery offers guided beer tastings for groups of six or more. Brewery tours are also available for groups of six to twelve and can be combined with a beer tasting or a mini brewing seminar. The options therefore vary both by group size and by whether you would like to combine a tasting with a tour. It is best to confirm your group’s choice in advance.

The Paradiesischer Christmas Market takes place each year on the Saturday and Sunday before the first Sunday of Advent. More than 70 exhibitors present crafts, art and food; the number may vary from one edition to another. If the market is important to your trip, check the exact dates for the year you plan to visit.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Embrach, Eglisau, Bülach, Rorbas, Rafz, Kloten, Zweidlen, Opfikon

For the main travel overview: Bülach.