Greifensee (lake) Lake

Hours: Open 24/7

Admission: Free to visit (public lake)

Greifensee is a lake in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland, located to the east of the city of Zurich and adjacent to the small town of Greifensee. It is a regional recreational and nature area with walking and cycling routes along its shore.

The lake and its immediate shoreline include protected wetland areas that support waterfowl and other wetland species, making the area a popular local destination for birdwatching and short outdoor outings. The medieval village and castle at Greifensee lie on the lake’s perimeter and are visible from the shore.

The lake is readily accessible from the city of Zurich by regional transport and serves as a convenient natural retreat for residents and visitors in the greater Zurich area.

• Recreation and birdwatching: A marked walking and cycling path encircles the lake and is popular for short recreational circuits; the lake is also valued for birdwatching, especially on its western shores.

Greifensee lake lies northeast of Zürich in the Canton of Zürich. From Zürich HB take a regional S‑bahn or regional train toward Uster/Greifensee and then walk from Greifensee station to the lakeshore (a short 10-20 minute walk depending on where you alight). By car, follow the A1/A52 roads northeast from Zürich - the lake is roughly 15-20 km from central Zürich.

• Start your visit by taking the Zurich S‑Bahn to Uster or the Greifensee station to avoid parking stress; both provide easy access to the lakeside trail and are well connected to the city.
• Walk the shore trail counterclockwise early in the morning on weekdays to catch bird activity in the protected wetland zones on the lake's eastern side and to avoid peak weekend crowds.
• Include a stop in the small historic village of Greifensee and the nearby nature-observation points-many visitors focus on the path and miss the lake's bird hides and interpretive signs about the reserve.