CipherWalk
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The Locksmith's Vault

Illustrated key art for The Locksmith's Vault: a heavy spoked vault wheel with a graduated combination dial at its hub, bored through to show the lit roofs and spire of Zürich's old town inside.
Duration
Est. 90 minutes
Distance
2.0 km
Team size
2–4
Availability
24/7
Difficulty
Medium
Recommended age
15+
Language
English

CHF 29

per team of 2–4

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The Story

A locksmith who trusted no bank built a hidden vault somewhere in the old city, then scattered its combination across her favourite streets. Her memoirs are in your hands. Follow her trail and reach the vault first.

Where it starts and ends

You begin at Stauffacher and finish at Fraumünster, a walk of about 2.0 km across 10 stops.

Open start in Google Maps

What it's like

10 stops across the neighborhood, with puzzles to solve together as you walk. Every teammate sees different clues on their own phone, so cracking each one means actually talking to each other, not one person carrying the group. You set the pace and can stop for a coffee mid-trail without losing progress. One purchase covers all 2 to 4 of you.

How it works

  1. 1. One person unlocks the quest for the whole team.
  2. 2. Meet at Stauffacher in Zürich, each player with a charged phone and internet.
  3. 3. Open the quest in the CipherWalk app and walk between the stops together. Directions appear as you go, so you never need a separate map.
  4. 4. Every teammate sees different clues, so you decode each puzzle as a team and reach Fraumünster.

Before you go

  • You play it on foot in Zürich, so you need to be there to walk it.
  • It runs in the CipherWalk app, so each player needs their own charged phone, iPhone or Android, with internet.
  • Daylight is ideal, since some clues are read off walls and plaques, but you can go whenever you want.
  • Light rain is fine, heavier rain is just less pleasant.
  • It's built for teams of 2 to 4, and because every teammate sees different clues, it doesn't work solo.
  • More than four of you? Split into teams of 2 to 4 and race the same trail.

What people say

Begüm

We played this with a group of four, some knew each other well, some less so, and one person was completely new to the group. It turned out to be a great way to spend time together! The puzzles gave us something fun to work on as a team, while also leaving plenty of time to chat, get to know each other, and enjoy the experience.

Google review

See reviews on Google

Questions

When can we play?+

Whenever your team is together. There is no booking and no time slot, so today works. Daylight is ideal for reading clues off walls and plaques, but it is not required.

How much will it cost?+

CHF 29 per team. One person unlocks it for the whole team of 2 to 4 rather than everyone buying separately.

How many people do we need?+

Two to four. Every teammate sees different clues, so it doesn't work solo. With five or more, split into teams and race the same trail.

Do we need to download an app?+

Yes. You play in the CipherWalk app on iPhone or Android. Each player needs their own phone with internet.

What if it rains?+

Light rain is fine. In heavier rain, just pick another day.

How long does it take?+

It takes about 90 minutes at a normal walking pace. You set the speed and can pause whenever you like.

Is it hard?+

Medium difficulty. Hard enough to feel like a real puzzle, solvable by a normal group, no special knowledge needed.

Do we have to be in Zürich?+

To play, yes, it's on foot in Zürich. You walk between real stops around the neighborhood.

More questions are answered on our homepage FAQ and at support.

Get your team out the door

Unlock The Locksmith's Vault, get the app, and start whenever your team is together in Zürich.

Get the app

CHF 29

per team of 2–4