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Outdoor adventures, mostly gravel rides, but not always

Adventure ride along the Sihl

An adventure following the path of the Sihl complete with farm roads, gravel paths, and singletrack

By the Numbers

Distance
30 miles
Elevation
3170 feet
Moving Time
2h45m
Nutrition
There are a few restaurants along the way but fewer water fountains than expected
External

A little bit of everything: chunky gravel, forest service roads, singletrack, oblivious baby goats, tunnels, farm roads, fast descents (some too fast on too chunky gravel!), river views, hike-a-bike, and great weather.

Portions of the route were borrowed from Tempo Sport in Horgen, Original Sihl. All wrong turns were my own 😜.

To quote their write up:

Over 1000 metres of altitude are covered by 35 kilometres. If you are looking for a break from civilization, you will get your bill here. Via Horgenberg you reach the Sihl after a fast descent. The path winds beautifully along the river, the Sihltalstrasse on the other side is hardly perceptible. After Sihlbrugg (watch out: short, steep ascent) you ride a few hundred meters on the Hirzelstrasse (use Trottoir). But then it’s finished with concrete and civilization. Now comes the cream piece. On partly open dirt roads and partly somewhat rooted trails, the increasingly wild Sihl goes along. Over a small bridge, tunnel passages and past the well-known and recommendable restaurant Sihlmatt the route continues further along the Sihl. The ascent to the beautiful Teufenbachweiher (incl. idyllic barbecue area) also marks the farewell to the magical landscape on the wild Sihl. Now it goes via dirt roads on the ridge no less attractively back via Schönenberg and Horgenbergweiher to Horgen, where you arrive completely flashed.

Climbing up from Horgen
Climbing up from Horgen
Trail through the woods
Trail through the woods
Cycling path along the Sihl
Cycling path along the Sihl
Sihl River
Sihl River
Farm road near the Sihl
Farm road near the Sihl

So many quiet farm roads made for an enjoyable route.

Feeder creek to the Sihl
Feeder creek to the Sihl
Looking back at the tunnel leading towards the Sihl
Looking back at the tunnel leading towards the Sihl
Gravel road to a farmhouse
Gravel road to a farmhouse
Gravel path along the Sihl
Gravel path along the Sihl
Cycling path along the Sihl
Cycling path along the Sihl
More farm roads
More farm roads
Baby goats munching on grass
Baby goats munching on grass

Towards the end of the route I rode past a few baby goats in the road, munchy away on the grass and staying cool in the shade.

Route

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