slowUp Zürichsee 2026 – Car-Free Lake Zurich from Zurich to Rapperswil & Schmerikon
Cycle, Skate, Walk or Run Along Lake Zurich – Sunday 27th September 2026
One of the most enjoyable outdoor events on Lake Zurich returns on Sunday 27th September 2026. The 21st slowUp Zürichsee transforms 42 kilometres of roads between Zurich, Rapperswil-Jona and Schmerikon into a traffic-free route for cyclists, inline skaters, runners, walkers and families.
For one day, the road along the right-hand shore of Lake Zurich belongs to people rather than cars. The slowUp Zürichsee runs from 10am until 5pm, is completely FREE to join, and takes place whatever the weather. The roads along the route are closed to normal motorised traffic from 9am until 6pm. You don’t need to complete the whole route either. There is no compulsory starting point or finishing point, so you can join wherever is most convenient and cover as much – or as little – of the route as you like.
The idea behind slowUp Switzerland is wonderfully simple: close a scenic stretch of road to motorised traffic for a day and let people enjoy it under their own steam. There is no race and no need to be particularly sporty. You can cycle, walk, run, use inline skates or simply enjoy part of the route with friends or family. The atmosphere is more like a moving festival than a sporting competition, with food stalls, music, activities and local events taking place in towns and villages along the way.
slowUp Zürichsee 2026 Route
The official slowUp Zürichsee route is 42 km long, or 84.4 km if you travel the complete route there and back.
It runs:
Zurich – Zürich Tiefenbrunnen – Zollikon – Küsnacht – Erlenbach – Herrliberg – Meilen – Uetikon am See – Männedorf – Stäfa/Uerikon – Feldbach – Rapperswil-Jona – Wurmsbach/Bollingen – Schmerikon
The route follows the beautiful right-hand side of Lake Zurich and can be travelled in either direction. In Zurich, the route starts or finishes at Sechseläutenplatz, close to Bellevue.
NewInZurich Tip
You really don’t have to cycle the entire 42 km. One of the advantages of the slowUp is that you can choose a section which suits you and use the train to get to or from one of the many stations close to the route.
Join the slowUp Wherever You Like
Unlike a traditional cycling event, there is no mass start and no requirement to register at a starting line. Simply decide which part of Lake Zurich you would like to explore and join the route there. This makes slowUp particularly good for families and anyone who wants a more relaxed day out. You could, for example, cycle from Zurich to Meilen, join farther down the lake at Männedorf or Stäfa, or make Rapperswil your destination. Remember that participants travel in both directions, so always keep to the right and watch for other cyclists, skaters, walkers and children.
What’s Happening at slowUp Zürichsee 2026?
It’s not only about cycling. There is a whole programme of food, entertainment and activities along the route. The official opening ceremony takes place in Meilen from 9.15am–10am, with the route officially opened at 10am. Highlights announced for 2026 include live music in Meilen, Stäfa and Feldbach, a cycling skills course and refreshment station in Männedorf, funfair attractions in Stäfa and Schmerikon, and an open day at the Stäfa fire station. There are also numerous food stands, refreshments and local activities throughout the villages.
slowUp Zürichsee Meets the Zurich Film Festival
There is an added attraction at the Zurich end of the route this year. The Zurich Film Festival runs from 24th September until 4th October 2026, meaning slowUp participants arriving at Sechseläutenplatz will find the ZFF Festival Centre there too.
Food trucks and the ZFF bar are scheduled to be open from 11am, making this a great place to stop at the beginning or end of your slowUp outing.
slowUp Through Rapperswil
One of the prettiest sections is Rapperswil-Jona. The route enters Rapperswil via Zürcherstrasse and Cityplatz before heading into the historic centre to Fischmarktplatz and the lakefront. From there it continues through the Seedamm underpass and follows the railway line towards southern Rapperswil-Jona and eventually Schmerikon. Around Strandbad Stampf, the routes for cyclists and inline skaters separate.
There will also be food stalls and activities around Hauptplatz, Fischmarktplatz and Seequai. If you’ve never explored the town before, you could combine slowUp with a wander through the medieval Old Town of Rapperswil.
Schmerikon and the Seechilbi
At the far end of the route, Schmerikon will have an especially festive atmosphere in 2026 because the Seechilbi takes place at the same time. The festival area is located by the lake, with fairground rides, a marquee and other attractions.
Can You Hire a Bike for slowUp Zürichsee?
Yes. Official slowUp rental bikes are available in Meilen and Rapperswil, which is particularly useful if you want to arrive by public transport rather than bringing your own bicycle. The currently published prices are CHF 38 for a City Bike and CHF 60 for an E-Bike, with a CHF 5 reduction available for qualifying SwissPass/Famigros customers. Advance reservation is advisable because demand is likely to be high.
Getting to slowUp Zürichsee by Train and Public Transport
Public transport is one of the easiest ways of joining the event because numerous railway stations are located close to the route. However, bear in mind that bike capacity on trains and Lake Zurich boats is limited and cannot be guaranteed when demand is high. Bikes also cannot be carried on buses affected by the slowUp restrictions on the day. Interestingly, the Horgen–Meilen ferry continues operating, and cyclists and pedestrians can travel on the ferry free of charge during slowUp 2026.
Road Closures for slowUp Zürichsee 2026
If you’re not taking part in the slowUp, it’s worth knowing about the considerable traffic restrictions. On Sunday 27th September, the Seestrasse/H17 between Zurich and Schmerikon, together with additional roads in Zurich and Rapperswil-Jona, will be closed to motorised traffic from 9am until 6pm. Access to properties directly along the closed route is generally not possible during this period. The main route across Rapperswil from the Seedamm towards Rüti and the A53 remains open in both directions.
Are E-Bikes Allowed at slowUp Zürichsee?
Normal pedal-assisted bicycles and e-bikes are part of the event, but there are restrictions. Electric mopeds with yellow number plates are prohibited, as are electric vehicles which operate without the rider using their own muscle power. The whole philosophy of slowUp is about human-powered mobility.
Is slowUp Zürichsee Suitable for Families?
Yes. In fact, it is one of the reasons the event is so popular. Because the road is free from normal motorised traffic, it gives families a rare opportunity to cycle along stretches of the Lake Zurich Seestrasse which would normally be busy with cars. However, there can still be a lot of cyclists, skaters and pedestrians, so younger children should be supervised carefully and everyone should keep to the right. There are refreshment stops, toilets, drinking-water points and activities at many locations along the route.
slowUp Zürichsee 2026 – Essential Information
Event: 21st slowUp Zürichsee
When: Sunday 27th September 2026
Time: 10am – 5pm
Route: Zurich – Meilen – Stäfa – Rapperswil-Jona – Schmerikon
Distance: 42 km one way / 84.4 km return
Start: Join at any convenient point along the route
Cost: FREE
Weather: Takes place in all weather conditions
Road Closures: Approximately 9am – 6pm
SlowUp Website: More information in English here.
2026 Programme: See the slowUp Zürichsee 2026 programme here.
Have fun and enjoy one of the most unusual ways to experience Zurich, Lake Zurich and Rapperswil. Whether you cycle the full route or simply enjoy a few kilometres beside the lake, slowUp Zürichsee is a wonderful opportunity to experience the Seestrasse without its usual traffic.
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