Sihlwald, Protected forest reserve in Zürich, Switzerland.
Sihlwald is a protected forest reserve covering about 1,100 hectares of beech woodland near Zürich. The area contains natural habitats for various plants and animals, crossed by hiking trails for public access.
The forest was originally owned by the Habsburgs, then passed to the church and later to the city of Zürich. In 2010 it became Switzerland's first nature discovery park, designed to showcase natural processes without human interference.
The forest reflects how people have shaped it and how it recovers on its own. Visitors can see the transition from managed woodland to wild forest happening in real time as they walk through different areas.
The Visitor Center opens during warmer months and offers a bookstore, exhibition space, a playground, and fireplaces with free firewood available. The hiking trails are well marked and suitable for different fitness levels.
Rangers regularly patrol the forest and explain to visitors how natural processes unfold without human disturbance. This living laboratory makes the difference between wild and managed woodland immediately understandable.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
