Rheinfalls in Schaffhausen

The Rheinfall or Rhine falls is one of the most powerful waterfalls on the main land in Europe and is located near Schaffhausen in the Northeast of Switzerland.

the Rheinfall is the most powerful waterfall in Europe. The average water flow is 250 m³/s, while in the summer the average water flow is 600 m³/s. The highest flow ever measured is 1,250 m³/s in the year 1965.

Driving near Schaffhausen there are everywhere signs pointing to the Rheinfall.

I advise to park the car at parking 3 (quite expensive), just above Schlössli Wörth, where boats leave to the other side or to the Rheinfall felsen, a big rock in the middle of the waterfall. The Rheinfall felsen is  a mighty rock that withstood the elements for a thousand years.

There are also viewing platforms with a spectacular view on the falls on the other side of the Rhine. These can be reached via a steep and narrow stair from Schloss Laufen (admission required). Guided tours of various lengths are possible. There is also a bigger parking space near Schloss Laufen.

The Rheinfall is not very high, 23 meters, but with a wide of 150 meters very impressive to see. The Rheinfall is over 15,000 years old, and is originated during the last ice age. Due to tectonic shifts, the Rhine River was forced into a new riverbed . The Rhine Falls came into being at the transition point where hard chalk turned into soft gravel.

Enjoying the Swiss Rhine River Waterfalls for Free

However, it also possible to enjoy most of natural spectacle of the Rhine Falls completely free. The Rhine waterfalls are best seen from the right bank (left on most maps) of the Rhine River and strolling along the promenade here is completely free and accessible to all.

Similarly, visitors can hike for free along the right bank of the Rhine on paved routes through the forest to see the falls close-up. The views from here are hardly less spectacular than from the paid sites, such as the rock in the middle of the falls accessible by boat only.

It is an easy hike on paved routes to the upstream railway bridge where hikers and cyclists can cross the Rhine within view of the falls. On the left bank, visitors can pay to follow a belvedere trail and use a panorama elevator from the Schloss Laufen Castle for close-up looks of the falls. Once again, many may find the free views totally satisfactory.