Do you feel it, too? The Christmas spirit that is already slowly but surely materializing in the air? Please raise your hand; who of you has already started Christmas decorations (me, me!)? Soon, it will be high time to snuggle up in a blanket in the evenings, light scented candles, and watch Christmas movies. There’s bound to be some cute reindeer in those. What if I told you that you could be the hero of your own Christmas movie?
At the Mühlebachhof in Dachsen in the canton of Zurich, a unique experience awaits you – Rentier-Trekking– a walk with reindeer! Salomé Fürst takes care of your lovely companions – reindeer from the largest herd in Switzerland. But beware! Don’t look for Rudolph among the reindeer. During the hour-long walk, you will be accompanied by animals called Creolla, Cassiopeia, or even Heidi. The walk, which will be enjoyed by young and old alike, is available from September to March and is the perfect experience for families who want to experience something exceptional in the run-up to Christmas.
NOTE: We enjoyed the reindeer walk as part of a blogger trip Kinderregion.ch invited us to. We spent a weekend in Winterthur and Zurich, and I will present our next adventures in future articles.
Mühlebachhof Dachsen – how to get there
The journey from Zurich takes approximately 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic. Take the A4 motorway towards Schaffhausen. Take the Benken exit, drive through the village, and continue to Dachsen. The Mühlebachhof is located on the outskirts of Dachsen, and you can park directly at the farmhouse.
Reindeer trekking
From the farm, it is a few dozen metres to Rentier-Chalet and the reindeer paddock. Our guide, Salomé, selects three animals to keep us company. The reindeer are given a harness and a “leash,” and off we go.
During the relaxing walk, we ask our guide, Salomé, many curious questions. How did she ever get the idea to breed reindeer? What do reindeer like to eat? How are reindeer doing in Switzerland? Why is it not possible to go trekking in spring and summer? Of course, we get informed answers.
During our walk we discover that reindeer can be not only a very friendly animal, but sometimes also quite stubborn. Probably, the walk is a special treat for them, too, because they want to enjoy their stay outside the enclosure and often stop to graze the grass. When they decide to stop, their four legs seem to be encased in concrete, and no one moves them. It is only Salome who has to help, sometimes gently or, if necessary, a little more firmly, to encourage the reindeer to continue on their route.
After the walk with the reindeer
After the walk, you can warm up with a hot punch in the small cafe, and the smaller children will surely enjoy the sight of other animals living on the farm—geese, ducks, dwarf goats, sheep, or even llamas!
What is important to know
- The trail is about 2.5 kilometers long and is passable with a stroller.
- If you want to enjoy this fantastic experience, book in advance. You can find the dates of the walks on the Mühlebachhof website.
- Remember to wear outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear.
