Albis

Albis
Albis
	The Albis chain as seen from the Uetliberg, looking southeast. In the background left the Glärnisch.
Highest point
Coordinates	47°17′N 8°30′E / 47.283°N 8.500°E
Geography
	Albis
Country	Switzerland
Canton	Zürich

The Albis is a chain of hills in the

Sihlwald forest) on both sides of the river Sihl. The Sihl Valley borders the Albis chain on its entire east side. On the west side, the Albis is bordered by various streams (including the Reppisch) and one lake, the Türlersee

.

The chain is mostly wooded, but also has extensive fields, often reaching to the summit, some cultivated, some used as pastures for cows or sheep. Being very near Zürich, the area is heavily visited, especially near its northern end, and includes many restaurants along the summit (from Uetliberg to Albishorn), well-maintained trails and dirt roads, a railroad (the

Felseneggbahn) from Adliswil to Felsenegg

.

The Albis chain was formed as the left

Lake Zürich. The soil is mostly a conglomerate of gravel, some of it large, and glacial loess. The frequently steep sides of the chain are often subject to small landslides

. As a generalization, the eastern side of the chain (overlooking Lake Zürich) tends to be steeper than the western side.

The hilltops of the Albis provided several good defensive sites, and were the locations of the castles of Uetliberg, Baldern and Schnabelburg, all of which are now ruined or lost.

Picture gallery

Hiking trail from Felsenegg to Uetliberg as seen near Balderen.
So called Fallätsche at Zürich-Leimbach, Wollishofen quarter in the foreground.
Sihltal and Albis hills, as seen from Käferberg

360° panorama from Albis Hochwacht

Picture gallery

References