Up the Üetlibergbahn: Unlocking Zurich's Views and Einstein's Cubby

Welcome back, my friends. Today, I’m taking you to the Uetliberg, Zurich’s local mountain. Rising to 871 meters above sea level (2,860 feet), it offers sweeping views of the city, Lake Zurich, and - on clear days - the Alps. This scenic spot is especially popular in November, as the summit often lies above Zurich’s blanket of high fog. In winter, hiking trails turn into toboggan runs, while in summer, the mountain becomes a launchpad for signposted hikes and mountain bike adventures.

“Itchy Feet’s” map once declared: every European city has some kind of tower. 

We had to wait almost until the end of the alphabet to finally get to the Üetliberg—but your patience is being rewarded today. Because here, there are two towers!

First, there’s the 72-meter-high (236 feet) steel lattice tower. Its viewing platform is accessible via 178 steps, and every one of them worth the climb.

The second is the 187-meter-high (614 feet) Üetliberg transmitter station. Operated by Swisscom Broadcast, it’s part of the country’s largest critical infrastructure network for communication. This station serves over a million people with radio programs and is a key hub for radio transmission across Switzerland.

The Üetliberg has been significant since the 9th century, historically used as a watchpoint due to its strategic elevation. Fire and smoke signals once warned of approaching danger.

Today, visitors of all kinds - excursion guests, businesspeople, and wedding parties - gather at the Hotel Restaurant Uto Kulm, also known as the “Top of Zurich.”

There’s also a planet trail leading from the Üetliberg to the Felsenegg. It’s a scale model of the solar system, where every meter represents one million kilometers. The roughly two-hour walk leads you from the Sun past the eight planets, all the way to dwarf planet Pluto. Space nerds, rejoice.

So, how does one get to the Üetliberg? With the Üetliberg train, of course!
With a gradient of up to 7.9%, it’s one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in Europe that operates without a cogwheel system.

I’d also like to use this letter “U” post to sneak in another urban gem that didn’t quite fit anywhere else. Here goes:

As I’ve mentioned before, Albert Einstein and I went to the same school - about a hundred years apart. While I pursued a degree in economics, Albert graduated in physics and mathematics from ETH Zurich in 1900. ETH stands for Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology), and it consistently ranks among the top universities in the world, on par with MIT.

The imposing ETH building was constructed in 1864. Fifty years later, the University of Zurich (UZH) was built next door—an equally impressive structure that today sees over 30,000 students and staff pass through its doors.

One of the more charming ways to arrive at ETH is via the Polybähnli, a red funicular that takes just 100 seconds to travel from Central up to the Polyterrasse.

First put into operation in 1889 as the “Zürichbergbahn,” the Polybähnli has become a Zurich icon. Fondly known as the “Student Express,” it carries up to 2 million passengers a year.

From the terrace, visitors enjoy breathtaking views over Zurich’s old town.

Back to ETH: This is what it looks like inside. Impressive, isn’t it?

Sometimes I wonder. What if I had tried a little harder in science class? I might have spent my student years riding the Polybahn and attending lectures in these time-honored halls. Maybe one of those vintage lockers would have been mine.

Speaking of which… What’s going on here? Someone left their locker open. A highly intelligent but slightly absent-minded student, perhaps?

Look closely. That shirtless guy in the picture. Doesn’t he look familiar? Could it be…?

But of course - it’s my buddy Albert Einstein. His locker has been lovingly preserved at ETH as a tribute, with a touch of Swiss pride and humor. 

So, while Zurich may not have an Eiffel Tower or a leaning tower of Pisa, we do have the Üetliberg tower - and Einstein’s locker.

What’s the quirkiest or most surprising place you've ever found a connection to history or science? Let me know in the comments - I'd love to hear your stories!