Into the bush: These are Switzerland’s most beautiful forests

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Thurauen – the most beautiful floodplain forest area

In the Zurich wine region, where the River Thur flows into the Rhine, the idyllic Thurauen stretches across almost 400 hectares – an alluvial forest area with a forest-like appearance. It was formed along the river and is filled with a lush understory of tall grasses and climbing plants, as well as moisture-loving tree species such as willow and alder.

This floodplain forest world offers valuable habitat for many species of birds, as well as beavers, and invites visitors to walk, cycle and observe animals. This can be achieved, for example, from a variety of observation platforms and hideaways that provide unique insights into renaturalized floodplain areas.

God da Tamangur – The highest pine forest in Europe

God da Tamangur, which sounds a bit mystical in Romanian, simply means “the forest over there” in German. But this is not just any average Swiss mixed forest, it is the highest contiguous pine forest in all of Europe.

The natural forest reserve extends over 66 hectares at an altitude of 2300 meters above sea level in Val S-charl in the south of Scuol GR. Nature can develop freely here, trees are no longer cut down; and the dead remain alone. Immerse yourself in the characteristic, slightly sweet and incense scent of the pine tree, also known as the “Queen of the Alps”, and let the gnarled trees, often hundreds of years old, have their effect on you.

Risoux – forest of gigantic proportions

The largest contiguous forest area in Europe, Risoux extends along the entire western side of the Vallée du Joux VD and thus forms the natural border with France. The dense forest played an important role during the Second World War: it was used to transmit important information for the intelligence service, giving many people the chance to escape to Switzerland and avoid deportation.

Mainly spruce trees grow in the forest; including true resonant wood pearls, sought after by string instrument makers all over the world for their rare quality. It is best to put a GPS device in your backpack so that you can safely find the “Roche Champion”, the only viewpoint of the complex forest, and capture the breathtaking view of France!

Oak grove Wildenstein – medieval cultural landscape

The Wildenstein oak grove above Bubendorf BL is a very special type of forest: one of the few remaining medieval cultural landscapes and one of the most important oak groves in Central Europe. Pigs were once grazed here to fatten themselves; True to the motto: The best hams grow on oak trees.

The oak trees, some very old, now outgrow each other with their faces and gnarled growths reminiscent of various fantastical figures, and together form a rustic overall picture. From November to February, hikers can move freely through the oak grove and do not have to stick to marked trails. You can reach the oak grove in just ten minutes on foot from Wildenstein Castle and immediately immerse yourself in the fairy tale world of these wild forest men.

Hittuwald – Switzerland’s oldest larch forest

Larch trees as far as the eye can see: In the Valais Chastelberg above Simplon Dorf is the Hittu Forest, probably the oldest larch forest in Switzerland. It is also home to trees that have taken root here for 700-850 years and have witnessed countless natural and historical events. This particular tree, the larch, which sheds its needles in winter, turns yellow in late autumn: on sunny days, the yellow needles and blue sky fascinate migratory birds with a touching show of color. It is also said that black pines give back the light of summer in late autumn.

Sihlwald – the wilderness of Zurich

The Sihlwald is part of the Zurich Wildlife Park and, together with the surrounding forests, forms the largest natural, contiguous mixed deciduous forest in Mittelland. No trees have been cut down here since 2000 to recreate a forest-like forest populated mostly by copper beeches. The Sihlwald forest adventure trail offers a creative way to explore the forest, especially for families with children: at twelve so-called adventure stations, you can let your imagination run wild and sharpen your senses for everything that crunches and crawls here.

Chestnut grove Alto Malcantone – Ticino cultural heritage

While talking about Swiss forests, we should not forget the chestnut gardens in Ticino. The picturesque village of Arosio, just northwest of Lugano, is the starting and finishing point of the spectacular circular walk called the Chestnut Trail. As its name suggests, this road passes by chestnut groves and various beautiful villages that are characteristic of the region.

You’re walking for about five hours, but you can easily shorten your journey by taking the post office whenever you want. At various stops along the way, hikers gather exciting information: about the use of the chestnut tree and chestnuts, as well as the culture surrounding the ancient “poor man’s bread.”

Source : Blick