Rheinau – Rheinfälle – Altenburg – Rheinau

This hike will take you from relaxing tranquillity to busy, touristy sightseeing and back. It features a beautiful monastery, the stunning Rheinfälle waterfalls, a 200 year old wooden bridge but most importantly, a lovely walk along the Rhine.

Start in Rheinau, where there is plenty of parking in the village, and make your way down to the monastery. The hiking path starts to the right just before the bridge. Already after a few meters there is a gate to pass and then the path leads beautifully between gardens on one side and the river on the other. Be sure to have a look back towards the monastery from time to time.

Across the water you can already see the damn near the hydroelectric power station. You can walk onto the damn to have a look across the river and there is an information board that tells you all there is to know about the power station.

At the power station the path starts going slightly uphill to pass around the building. It then leads into the woods, offering views of the river through the trees. After some time, the woods open up and soon the path leads down towards the river.

The walk now continues directly along the river and offers beautiful views across the water.

Following the course of the river, after a while you will reach a little swimming pool with a play and pic-nic area. The Dachsen bath also has a stop for the tourist boats going up and down the river.

Continue along the river and you will soon come to Nohl bridge. Now you have the choice of staying on the right side of the river or crossing the bridge. We recommend crossing the bridge as this will give you the best views of the waterfall while walking towards it.

Cross the bridge and continue towards Schaffhausen. Very soon you will notice the number of people on the path increasing and you will have your first view of the waterfall in the distance.

Reaching castle Wörth you will be fully caught in a throng of tourists (so be prepared). Keep walking and enjoy the views of the Rheinfälle. It is a truly stunning waterfall.

Keep walking along the waterfront until you are past the waterfall. You will soon reach a train bridge across the Rhine. Cross the bridge and enjoy the views of the waterfall from above.

On the other side you will reach castle Laufen, where there is also a restaurant that invites for a short break. However, since you are still in the middle of a tourist highlight, you might want to keep walking.

Walk between the castle and the church and make your way down the stairs. Pass the train station and keep going down the stairs. Soon you will arrive at another view point for the Rheinfälle waterfall. There is also a landing place for boats taking people to the middle of the waterfall.

Keep walking and you will soon be back in the tranquility of the woods. Now the stream of people will reduce significantly. Once you are back at Nohl bridge, cross it again, this time turning up the road to the left after the bridge.

The path leads uphill along a paved road and at the top, very unceremoniously, you will cross the border into Germany. Continue through the quiet village of Altenburg and make your way back down to the river on the other side. You will have a view of the Rheinau bridge on the way down.

Reaching the river, walk towards the bridge. This part of the walk is absolutely lovely and quiet and if we were to suggest a place for a break, it would be here.

Further along the river you will have a lovely view of the bridge and Rheinau up on the hill.

Cross the bridge and with it the border back into Switzerland. Stairs will take you uphill on the other side and the path now leads back through the village towards the monastery. Rheinau is a beautiful village with lovely half timber houses, a historic restaurant from the 15th century and the monastery down by the river. So take your time discovering this beautiful place at the end of your hike.