Lake Türler Nature Reserve
A Unique Habitat
Lake Türler and its surroundings form a valuable nature reserve of regional importance. The diverse, mosaic-like landscape with its moors, reed meadows, dry grasslands, wetlands and natural forests provides crucial habitat for many endangered species of flora and fauna.
Origin of the Lake
Lake Türler was formed around 10,000 years ago after the retreat of the Linth glacier. With the ice pressure gone, rocks plunged from the Aeugsterberg and formed a natural dam that created the lake. Today its waters flow northwards via the Reppisch. Various local legends are tied to the origin of the lake and the nearby Hexengraben gorge.
Protection Zones and Their Significance
Nature Protection Zone
The core area of the reserve is under strict protection. Here, the preservation and promotion of rare animal and plant species takes top priority.
Forest and Shore Protection Zones
The surrounding forests and shoreline areas are also protected and serve as important buffer zones. They help preserve the sensitive core zones.
Recreation Zones
Designated areas allow for nature-compatible recreation. Here, visitors can experience nature without endangering the protected habitats.
Flora and Fauna
The reserve is home to more than 20 species of orchids – including the common spotted orchid, which colours entire meadows on the southern shore violet in early summer. In the fen at Hexengraben, the rare marsh gentian and the more common willow gentian bloom between July and September. In May and June, cotton grass dots the bogs with its distinctive white fruiting heads.
Lake Türler is an important spawning water for amphibians. Each year, hundreds of common toads, grass frogs and newts migrate to the lake to breed. Amphibian tunnels and guide fences along the Reppischtalstrasse help them cross safely. Around the lake you may also spot the harmless grass snake, an excellent swimmer, as well as rare butterflies such as the highly endangered woodland ringlet (Gelbringfalter) and the violet copper.
History and Stewardship
The Türlersee Protection Association was founded as early as 1934. In 1944, the canton imposed a building ban around the lake to protect the area from growing settlement pressure. The current protection ordinance has been in force since 2001.
A nature reserve requires active stewardship: without regular winter mowing, shrubs and trees would overgrow the open reed and dry meadows, displacing light-dependent species such as orchids, pink carnations and quaking grass. Local farmers and cantonal maintenance teams mow these areas in a nature-friendly way, overgrown sections are cleared again, and traditional high-stem fruit trees are tended and replaced.
How You Can Support Nature Conservation
- Stay on marked paths
- Keep dogs on a leash
- Keep a distance of 25 metres from the reed beds across the entire lake
- Boating and swimming are prohibited in the lake and shore protection zones outside the designated areas
- Leave plants and animals undisturbed
- Take your litter with you
Ordinance and Information on the Reserve
- Protection Ordinance as PDF
- "Lake Türler Nature Reserve" flyer by the Canton of Zurich (PDF with map)
Türlersee Protection Association
The Türlersee Protection Association is dedicated to preserving the lake area as a diverse habitat for flora and fauna, promoting the sustainable use of the protected landscape and coordinating an orderly recreational operation. You can support the association by becoming a member, making a donation or acting as a ranger.
