Like with everyone else’s plan for this year, Corona also messed with mine. Luckily, I was coming towards the end of my time out that I took after the trip to Nepal and when the world turned upside down, I knew it was time to head home. Fortunately I wasn’t that far away and when Spain announced a nationwide lockdown, I fled back to Switzerland as long as there still were some flights. :) Despite that sudden change of schedule and the uncertain future that is ahead of us, there were two things that I considered to be very fortunate. Firstly, I anyway had planned to explore Switzerland as from April on and so there was no need to change my initial plan. To what extent my exploration will be possible is obviously still written in the stars, but let's hope for the best. :) And secondly, we were still allowed to go outside. Even though the measures of our government were pretty strict as well, they refrained from imposing a lockdown and left me with the option to check out some trails in the local neighborhood. :) So when I had to go to my storage room to get some personal belongings, I opted to head a bit further and walk back home over a popular hiking classic: the ridge of Lägern. As I was able to choose the timing, I chose to go on the sunniest day of the week and once I got my stuff from the storeroom, made my way to the railway station of Baden. Arriving there around 10 o’clock, the huge hiking signpost outside the station directed me down to the river Limmat. Following the river for a while, I crossed over a bridge and came upon the start of the ascent shortly afterwards. Stairs led up the hillside and another five minutes later, I already enjoyed a good view over the city of Baden.
Moving on, the castle of Schartenfels soon appeared and remembering the last time I did this walk, I happily joined the hiking trail there. Red and white signs indicated a mountain path and while I previously didn't pay attention to that, it struck me now that that was the only mountain path I knew in Switzerland to be below an altitude of 1000 meters. Well, naturally there was a reason for that. :) From the moment I set foot upon the trail, the ground was covered with stones and roots and while in the beginning the path was wide enough, it became narrower the further I went.
It was a fun walk though and under a shining sun I made my way slowly upwards. Most of the time, trees barred the views to the lowlands, but every now and then some openings gave an outlook back to Baden or to the surrounding villages. When the ascending slope eventually leveled off, I had reached the top of the ridge and as the path became more and more narrow, even some scrambling was needed from time to time. Taking a look around, it was clear why they had signed it as a mountain path, as some rather steep slopes could be seen on either side of the ridge.
For about an hour I hiked along that lovely trail and while I didn’t meet a single other soul, there were tons of lizards along the way competing for my attention. :)
Entering a forest at the end of that first rocky part, the trail widened again and I walked amongst some beautiful trees towards the highest point of the day. Expecting to see some other people on the 859 meters high “peak”, I was surprised to be the only one on the Lägern Burghorn. I didn't mind that though and sat down for an hour to enjoy a hearty lunch and the good views around me. :)
Just when I was about to leave, a jogger arrived and as two other hikers passed me right after I set out again, I knew the solitude was gone for good. The trail remained quite entertaining however and following the ridge for another hour, the time simply flew by.
Coming upon the Lägern Hochwacht, I eventually left the hiking trail behind and once I had passed the restaurant and its current construction site, started to walk on a wide dirt road. Soon I entered the woods again and knowing that the best part was over now, I just enjoyed being outdoors in the fresh air. More and more people could be seen in that part, but that was nothing extraordinary, as the area there was perfect for a leisurely stroll. Rather sooner than later, the way started to head downhill and after a while the village of Regensberg appeared in the distance.
Emerging from the woods for a final time, the trail led directly into the town and shortly afterwards I stood in front of the castle. From the tower, there actually would be a nice lookout over the surrounding lowlands, but naturally it was closed for visitors for the time being. So there was no reason to linger around and I made my way further downhill to the somewhat bigger town of Dielsdorf. In normal times, that would have been the place where the hike would have ended, but as I intended to keep away from public transport as much as possible, I decided to walk all the way back home. :) That took another two and a half hours and as it wasn’t that interesting, I spare you the details. :) Overall, it was a nice day out though and it felt good to get a break from the all-dominant topic of Corona.
Highlight of the day: the walk from Schartenfels to Lägern Burghorn
This hike is for you if:
- you’re looking for some mountain feeling in the lowlands
- you don’t mind a rocky trail and a little bit of scrambling
- you’re looking for a lovely hike at the end of winter / beginning of spring
This hike is not for you if:
- you mind walking along a ridge :)
- you want the trail all for yourself
- you’re looking for high peaks and 360° panoramic views
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