Lake Zurich seems to be too built up for many, but a few places are more than just worth seeing. A captivating view of the fields and the lake in front of a breathtaking mountain backdrop and a spectacularly constructed path: the Seedammweg is one of the most beautiful walking routes around Lake Zurich.
From Hurden, the path is dominated by fields and later by the wooden bridge, which seems to float a few meters above the water. Footbridges through wonderful reed fields and a view of the medieval buildings of Rapperswil as well as an idyllic park in front of Rapperswil end the approximately five-kilometer-long excursion.
How Rapperswil was founded
It was around the year 1200. Where the friendly rose town stands today, there were only a few fishermen's huts at the time. The place was called Endingen. The lake dam had not yet been built, not even the wooden bridge that led across the lake to the Hurden peninsula; the fishermen carried out all traffic with their boats.
Over there, a little to the southwest of the village of Lachen, stood the castle of Rapperswil, and Count Rudolf lived there, popular with all the people, respected and rich. When he once returned from a long journey, his bailiff suggested that he build a new castle in a favorable location, namely near Endingen, on the Linden Hill with its great views, where a stronghold could be defended against any enemy and where a town could also be built that would provide the citizens with the security they desired.
Count Rudolf immediately set out with all his entourage to inspect the place. When they arrived, the hunting dogs found a female dog that had her two young ones in a cave on the hill and was defending them bravely. The countess took pity on the brave animal and asked that the dogs be removed. When the distinguished guests sat down to rest for a moment and admire the beautiful view, the doe came trustingly and snuggled up to the noblewoman to show her due gratitude. The count then had the two young deer brought onto the ship to shelter them in his castle garden; their mother followed contentedly. And the very next day the ship brought the builders over, who cut down the forest, smoothed the tree trunks and built the town.
Source: Legends of the Canton of St. Gallen, Jakob Kuoni, St. Gallen 1903, No. 404, p. 233
Access
If you are coming by car, you can park in Hurden or in Pfäffikon. From there, you can walk along the dam.
