Experience a thrilling adventure, at Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen: Stand atop Europes waterfall and immerse yourself in the rush of water enveloping your senses. Explore the surrounding castles, the basin of Rhine Falls and even venture to the imposing rock in the heart of the waterfall, aboard boats.
Rhine Falls – Europe’s largest waterfall
Rhinfalls in Schaffhausen
The Rhine Falls is the largest waterfall in Europe – 150 meters wide and 23 meters high. When the Rhine has an average flow rate, 370 cubic meters of water per second plunge over the rocks in the Rhine Falls. The volume varies greatly: average summer discharge approx. 600 m³/s, average winter discharge approx. 250 m³/s. The highest discharge was measured in 1965 at 1,250 m³/s, the lowest in 1921 at 95 m³/s.
Visitors can enjoy views. Capture photos of the waterfall from angles on both sides of the Rhine. Some viewpoints extend out over the river itself. One particular platform allows you to stand above the falls for an unique perspective. Wörth Castle sits by the Rhine Falls basin, in Neuhausen offering excursion boats that can bring you within as 50 meters to experience the majestic waterfall up close.
Rhine Falls and Castle Laufen
At the heart of the cascading waterfall stands a rock standing resilient, against the test of time for millennia. Visitors can access this rock via a guided boat tour. Ascend it using an steep staircase boasting over 100 steps. From the 30 meter observation deck one can witness the natural spectacle up close. On the return journey there awaits another photo opportunity that should not be missed.
Journeying from Lake Constance, to Basel the High Rhine encounters rocks that constrict its flow giving rise to turbulent rapids. Among these obstacles the Rhine Falls stands out as both a challenge and a stunning natural wonder of Europe.
Did you know that only eels can swim up the Rhine Falls?
Various species of fish can be found in the Rhine around the Rhine Falls, including: Grayling, barbel, pike, carp, zander, trout, eel, perch and catfish. The Rhine Falls cannot be crossed by fish upstream, except for the eel. The latter meanders sideways, outside the riverbed on land, up over the rocks.
Rheinfall mit Rundfahrt
Geologically speaking, the Rhine Falls are around 15,000 years old. It was formed at the end of the last ice age when the ice masses melted. The Rhine carved its way through the rock to take its present course. However, the Rhine Falls themselves were only formed later through erosion and weathering of the rock.
The Rhine Falls offer an impressive natural spectacle and are located around four kilometers to the west below the town of Schaffhausen. It is an important tourist attraction in Switzerland and can be visited all year round. The Rhine Falls and the Munot Fortress are the well-known landmarks of the town of Schaffhausen.
Experience the Rhine Falls up close with round trips
Explore the beauty of this marvel firsthand by joining a boat tour at Rhine Falls. Accompanied by captains you’ll have the chance to observe the water cascades of Rhine Falls up close, in a safe manner. Throughout the journey you’ll learn about the surrounding area. Feel the awe inspiring force of the water blending with the scenic landscape.
Embark on this mesmerizing excursion at Rhine Falls to witness one of Europes wonders from its most picturesque angle. Shift your perspective. Seize moments, during this serene aquatic escapade capturing them perfectly in photos.
Laufen Castle at the Rhine Falls
When you visit the Rhine Falls you have a choices, for your experience; the Short Round Trip (15 minutes) the Extended Round Trip with a guided tour (30 minutes) and the exciting option the Rock Tour. The Rock Tour provides a view of the Rhine Falls.
A boat will take you right to the heart of the waterfall, which is located on a rock. During a 20 minute break you can climb, over 100 steps to reach the 30 meter observation deck.
Laufen Castle at the Rhine Falls
Laufen Castle, which dates back, to the century sits perched on a cliff overlooking the majestic Rhine Falls offering a breathtaking vista of the cascading water. Visitors can enjoy amenities such as a restaurant, museum and observation deck. A added adventure trail equipped with an elevator system ensures access, to this natural wonder. The Rhine Falls are embraced by landscapes featuring countryside, woodlands, meadows and vineyards.
Tomasee in the Gotthard massif
Tomasee – cradle of the Rhine
The Rhine begins its journey, at the small Lake Toma in the Gotthard massif passing through European nations before eventually emptying into the North Sea.
Nestled within a protected region at an elevation of 2,345 meters Lake Toma serves as the source of the Rhine.
Embarking on an one and a half hour trek from the Oberalp Pass unveils Lake Toma, beneath the Piz Badus surrounded by alpine roses, daisies, meadow foamwort and gentian. This picturesque spot allows for an experience of crossing the river that traverses four countries in one step.
Rhine Falls circular trail hike
Schlössli Wörth at the Rhine Falls
The two circular trails, around the Rhine Falls basin offer strolls along the riverbanks making them ideal for combining with a visit to the Rhine Falls and its surrounding attractions. The shorter trail takes an hour to complete while the longer one takes under two hours.
The shorter Rhine Falls circular trail provides an one hour walk along the riverbanks passing by Laufen Castle crossing a railroad bridge to reach the mill wheel house and then descending via steps to the Rhine Falls basin. The scenic path continues along the riverside promenade passing by Park am Rheinfall and Schlössli Wörth restaurants.
It then follows along the forests edge to Nohlbrücke bridge before returning to the starting point.
The smaller Rhine Falls circular route offers a shortcut through which you can directly cross the railroad bridge, at Schloss Laufen.
Video Rhine Falls
Be inspired by the roar of Europe’s largest waterfall…
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Video Rhine Falls – Europe’s largest waterfall
The Rhine Falls is the largest waterfall in Europe. It is 150 meters wide and 23 meters high. At the average water level of the Rhine, 22,200 cubic meters of water per minute plunge over the rocks in the Rhine Falls. This volume is subject to considerable fluctuations: While the average discharge in summer is around 600 m³/s, it is around 250 m³/s in winter. The highest documented discharge rate was recorded in 1965 at 1,250 m³/s, while the lowest was 95 m³/s in 1921.
It is possible to get up to 50 meters close to the waterfall with excursion boats. In the middle of the waterfall is an imposing rock that has defied the forces of nature for thousands of years. This rock can be reached with the help of the excursion boats. To climb the rock, a narrow and steep staircase with more than 100 steps leads to the top. From the 30-metre-high viewing platform, you can experience the impressive natural spectacle up close.
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Video Rhine Falls 🇨🇭 directly on the water of the Rhine Falls
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