Hiking Steg to Hörnli: An Easy Half-Day Hike from Zurich

Overview of the Hike from Steg to Hörnli

Steg im Tösstal (696m)- Hörnli (1333m) – Steg im Tösstal (696m)

The hike from Steg to Hörnli in Tösstal is an accessible half-day hike in the Zurich area. It’s an easy hike and therefore suited for families with children and hikers of all levels. On the “Hörnli” – 1333 meters above sea level – hikers enjoy a wonderful 360° panorama of the Swiss Alps. The guesthouse Hörnli offers traditional Swiss dishes and invites you to sit on the terrace and enjoy the view. This hike can be done all year round.

2:30

7km

+475m -475m

Beginner

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Download a free Map for this hike

If you click on the “Get Map” icon above you will see the map for this hike. You can also download the hike as a GPX-file by clicking on the file icon “Get GPX” above. This way, you can plan your hike better or even use it on the go. Additionally, find below an interactive map including an elevation profile.


Our experience hiking from Steg to Hörnli

We hiked from Steg to Hörnli in March 2021. This was our first hike in 2021 and we were positively surprised. What a view of the Swiss Alps from only 1333 meters above sea level! Read more about our experience hiking from Steg to Hörnli below.

An impressive lineup of signposts at the starting point of this hike in Steg
An impressive lineup of signposts at the starting point of this hike in Steg
Solène hiking uphill from Steg to Hörnli
Solène hiking uphill from Steg to Hörnli

Start the hike at the train station in Steg in Tösstal

We took the train from Zurich and arrived at the train station Steg in Tösstal about 50 minutes later. We found the many signposts on the other side of the street. We followed the yellow sign direction Hörnli. After 15 minutes, the hiking trail went through a forest. Out of the forest, we got the first amazing views of Tösstal. And we met some cows.

Cows in a stable. Girl in hiking wear waving at them. In the background snowy mountain peaks of the Swiss Alps
Running into some cows halfway up
View from the hiking trail to Hörnli into Tösstal valley. In front of the picture green fields, in the background the Swiss Alps.
View from the hiking trail to Hörnli into Tösstal valley

The hike to Hörnli is a self-guided and easy hike

Midway up, you can decide whether you want to hike a trail or walk on a gravel road (signpost picture, left). We took the trail on the left and hiked up the steep last bit to Hörnli.

Signpost on the way to Hörnli. On the left, the trail. On the right, a broad gravel road. Both lead up to Hörnli.
Make a choice: On the left, the trail. On the right, a broad gravel road. Both lead up to Hörnli.
View from a gravel road over a green field with trees to mount Hörnli, Switzerland.
View to Hörnli from the gravel road. The tree line is the hiking path. Both ways lead to Hörnli.

Whether you take the trail or the gravel road – both paths will lead to Hörnli. This is a self-guided hike and easy hike. The yellow signposts point you in the right direction. The gravel road is best if you want to take it slow. The hiking trail is steeper and will make your heart beat faster. We took the hiking trail up to Hörnli and walked down the gravel road. Best of both worlds!

360° view of the Swiss Alps

View from Hörnli to the Swiss Alps
View from Hörnli to the Swiss Alps

Almost on the top, we found the famous mountain guesthouse Hörnli. Stop here if you are hungry and want to sit on the terrace to enjoy the sun and the view. When we were there the guesthouse was closed. Luckily, we brought a picnic and sat on the very top of Hörnli. While we were eating a Salami sandwich we enjoyed the fantastic 360° panorama of the Swiss Alps. This spot is one of the best in the Zurich area for mountain watching.

360° view from mount Hörnli. People resting and having a picnic.
360° view from mount Hörnli. People resting and having a picnic.

Hiking down from Hörnli to Steg

After the picnic, we decided to hike down the broad gravel road from Hörnli to Steg. In the summertime, you will most likely run into scooters that can be rented at the mountain guesthouse. In wintertime, people bobsled down to Steg from Hörnli. Watch out for traffic!

View from Hörnli direction Zurich
View from Hörnli direction Zurich

Conclusion: a great hike for beginners in the Zurich area

The hike to Hörnli was a very positive experience. It’s an easy hike and suited for mostly everyone. We truly enjoyed the view on the top. This is a great hike you can do all year round!

We also liked the accessibility of this hike by public transport. If you are living in Zurich and have a half-day off to go for a hike, the hike to Hörnli is a great choice as you are there in about 50 minutes by train. You can bring a map (we offer a free map in this post) but it’s not a must as the yellow signpost will point you in the right direction. We will come back for sure to try out the mountain guesthouse Hörnli. Stay tuned for an update in the Dine section 😉

Solène and Matthias portrait of on mount Hörnli. Behind them the Swiss Alps.
Solène and Matthias on Mount Hörnli. In the background the Swiss Alps.
Profile picture of Solène Stucker, co-founder of Hike&Dine
Solène’s Dine Pairing

Hike&Dine: Dine at mountain guesthouse Hörnli

“The view of the Swiss Alps from Hörnli is a poem for the senses. I can’t wait to sit on the terrace of the mountain guesthouse Hörnli. It was closed when we were there, but we will come back once it opens again”

Prepare your trip to Hörnli


Get to Steg by train from anywhere in Switzerland. Look up trains and cable cars directly on the site of Swiss National Railway (SBB) by typing in the starting point and Steg in Tösstal – train station as the destination. There are some parking lots close to the train station. As this hike is easily accessible by public transport we highly recommend coming by train.

Check the opening times of the mountain guesthouse Hörnli. You can find them here or contact them by phone: +41 (0)55 245 12 02 or E-Mail: [email protected]

The Best Things to do on Hörnli

The best thing to do is to do nothing: Sit down on the top of Hörnli to enjoy a 360° of the Swiss Alps. Bring a pick-nick!

Sit on the terrace of the mountain guesthouse Hörnlin and eat a traditional Swiss dish. Or stay overnight.

In winter, hike up to Hörnli and bobsled down to Steg. In summer, rent a downhill bike or scooter. Find info here.

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