How much access will I have to the Alps?

[rookie]

I’m a very active, very outdoorsy person and one of the things really drawing my towards Zurich is the Alps. I love the idea of popping out on a beautiful Saturday morning at the crack of dawn for a huge, day-long hike with my two dogs, not to mention long weekends lost in the mountains. I’d be purchasing a car immediately on arrival, because it’s a necessity for my dogs, so will I be able to reach the Alps quite easily for the kinds of activities I’m imagining?

[Luciano]

From Zurich you have different options: you can go to the Bernese Oberland, Jungfrau, Mount Rigi, Grindelwald, etc. All these amazing locations are about 1.5/2 hours by car. Just keep in mind that the return trip to Zurich (say on a Sunday afternoon/evening) by car may be quite clogged up by the traffic. I personally travel by train. I can go literally anywhere and I have seen people with dogs on board.

[Serge_Malikov]

1) you probably won't need a car, as the public transportation system is very good
2) Zurich is home to two moderate mountains: Zurichberg and Uetliberg. Both are 300-400 meters above the city level, and allow for many hours of pleasant walks. The hiking routes go on and on for kilometers.
3) the real Alps (i.e. mountain peaks for serious hiking) begin about 40 miles from Zurich

[Ruslan_Mahhov]

You may need an all wheel drive car in Switzerland. You can go to mountains every weekend if the weather is good.