77 Rigi–Reuss–Klettgau
77 Rigi–Reuss–Klettgau

Cycling in Switzerland

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Rigi–Reuss–Klettgau

Stage 4, Bad Zurzach–Schaffhausen

Route report
130 photos

VL_077_04_080_vor_Erzingen_R_F_M.jpg
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Rigi–Reuss–Klettgau

Along the Rhine, the border between lands and landscapes, heady at the thought of wine through Swiss-German Klettgau, a roomy valley between Wutach, Rhein and Randen before a sober awakening in the spray of the thundering Rhine Falls.
The plan today is to see the area where the Blauburgunder grape grows, the Klettgau in Schaffhausen. Located in the rain shadow of the Black Forest, it is very dry and sunny and the largest wine growing area in German-speaking Switzerland. A region in the South Baden district of Waldshut forms Germany’s part of the Klettgau. In Switzerland, it is parts of the cantons of Aargau, Schaffhausen and Zurich that belong to this agricultural region, which is one of Switzerland’s breadbaskets. In Bad Zurzach you leave Switzerland down by the Rhine River. The name of the first town in the country of our neighbours to the north is Rheinheim. The Romans once used to rampage in Küssaberg-Dangstetten, an early Roman legionary camp. The so-called Alpine war (15-14 B.C.) led to the defeat of the local tribes. Once you pass the sign saying “Römerstrasse Neckar-Aare”, you’re on a well-known tourist route, a section of the former long-distance connection leading from Comum (Como) across the Julier Pass to the Mittlere Neckarland. If you would like to look at Küssaburg Castle, take a short, but steep 2 km detour from the bike route in Bechtersbohl.

Continuing to Geisslingen and Erzingen, on the other hand, is a leisurely ride. Relaxed and unhurried you travel through the beautiful Klettgau, appreciating the view of the corn fields and forests nearby. Once in a while you come across a so-called downy oak. This is a rare occasion because significant populations of this often crooked type of oak are no longer found in many areas of central Europe. Back in Switzerland, around Wilchingen, you will enjoy seeing sun-drenched slopes with vineyards and you might begin to look forward to a glass of the regional Blauburgunder wine when you reach your destination.

But first you get to small Neunkirch, an interesting village with a lovely half-timbered alcove on the castle and an attractive upper gate. The village was named long ago for its new church and has nothing to do with nine churches, as the name suggests. Follow the straight line to Beringen along the railroad track. You may even get passed by a “thurbo” of the Eastern Switzerland Regional Railways or by a Deutsche Bahn train. On your left is the Randen mountain range. This mountain ridge belongs to the so-called Southwest German cuesta landscape, which follows the Jura here. The highest elevation on the Swiss side is Hagen Mountain at 912 m. At some point, the water of Europe’s most powerful waterfall will flow into the ocean. The Rhine Falls are definitely worth seeing. They are particularly impressive in the summer when the snow in the Alps is melting and many tourists are flocking to Neuhausen and Schaffhausen to see the striking Munot fortress.
Along the Rhine, the border between lands and landscapes, heady at the thought of wine through Swiss-German Klettgau, a roomy valley between Wutach, Rhein and Randen before a sober awakening in the spray of the thundering Rhine Falls.
The plan today is to see the area where the Blauburgunder grape grows, the Klettgau in Schaffhausen. Located in the rain shadow of the Black Forest, it is very dry and sunny and the largest wine growing area in German-speaking Switzerland. A region in the South Baden district of Waldshut forms Germany’s part of the Klettgau. In Switzerland, it is parts of the cantons of Aargau, Schaffhausen and Zurich that belong to this agricultural region, which is one of Switzerland’s breadbaskets. In Bad Zurzach you leave Switzerland down by the Rhine River. The name of the first town in the country of our neighbours to the north is Rheinheim. The Romans once used to rampage in Küssaberg-Dangstetten, an early Roman legionary camp. The so-called Alpine war (15-14 B.C.) led to the defeat of the local tribes. Once you pass the sign saying “Römerstrasse Neckar-Aare”, you’re on a well-known tourist route, a section of the former long-distance connection leading from Comum (Como) across the Julier Pass to the Mittlere Neckarland. If you would like to look at Küssaburg Castle, take a short, but steep 2 km detour from the bike route in Bechtersbohl.

Continuing to Geisslingen and Erzingen, on the other hand, is a leisurely ride. Relaxed and unhurried you travel through the beautiful Klettgau, appreciating the view of the corn fields and forests nearby. Once in a while you come across a so-called downy oak. This is a rare occasion because significant populations of this often crooked type of oak are no longer found in many areas of central Europe. Back in Switzerland, around Wilchingen, you will enjoy seeing sun-drenched slopes with vineyards and you might begin to look forward to a glass of the regional Blauburgunder wine when you reach your destination.

But first you get to small Neunkirch, an interesting village with a lovely half-timbered alcove on the castle and an attractive upper gate. The village was named long ago for its new church and has nothing to do with nine churches, as the name suggests. Follow the straight line to Beringen along the railroad track. You may even get passed by a “thurbo” of the Eastern Switzerland Regional Railways or by a Deutsche Bahn train. On your left is the Randen mountain range. This mountain ridge belongs to the so-called Southwest German cuesta landscape, which follows the Jura here. The highest elevation on the Swiss side is Hagen Mountain at 912 m. At some point, the water of Europe’s most powerful waterfall will flow into the ocean. The Rhine Falls are definitely worth seeing. They are particularly impressive in the summer when the snow in the Alps is melting and many tourists are flocking to Neuhausen and Schaffhausen to see the striking Munot fortress.
39 km
Asphalted: 39 km
Natural surface: 0 km
380 m | 340 m
easy

Arrival | return travel

Arrival / return travel Bad Zurzach
SBB Timetable Show stop and route on map

Hints

Hint
Beware: Rheinheim–Erzingen section in Germany, carry identification.

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Traffic volume
Beware: busy main roads Erzingen–Trasadingen, Neunkirch and Neuhausen.

Arrival | return travel

Arrival / return travel Schaffhausen
SBB Timetable Show stop and route on map

Services

Accommodation

Gasthof zur Waag
Gasthof zur Waag
Bad Zurzach
Parkhotel Bad Zurzach
Parkhotel Bad Zurzach
Bad Zurzach
Hotel zur Post
Hotel zur Post
Bad Zurzach
WeinFassHotel Rüedi
WeinFassHotel Rüedi
Trasadingen
Hotel Garni Matte Eggli
Hotel Garni Matte Eggli
Hallau
Berghof Hallau
Berghof Hallau
Hallau
happy people B+B
happy people B+B
Uhwiesen
Jugendherberge Schaffhausen
Jugendherberge Schaffhausen
Schaffhausen
Vienna House zur Bleiche Schaffhausen
Vienna House zur Bleiche Schaffhausen
Schaffhausen
Selda’s Hotel Restaurant Event
Selda’s Hotel Restaurant Event
Schaffhausen
Gasthaus Löwen
Gasthaus Löwen
Schaffhausen
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Bookable offers

2 Rhine Route Andermatt - Basel
2 Rhine Route Andermatt - Basel
La Route Verte
La Route Verte
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Places

Bad Zurzach
Bad Zurzach
Hallau
Hallau
Schaffhausen
Schaffhausen
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Places of interest

Weinbaumuseum Aargau
Weinbaumuseum Aargau
Pumptrack Langwies
Pumptrack Langwies
Verena Minster
Verena Minster
Zurzach thermal baths
Zurzach thermal baths
Klettgauer Rebenlandschaft
Klettgauer Rebenlandschaft
Ruine Radegg
Ruine Radegg
The Rhine Falls
The Rhine Falls
Rheinaubrücke – from Klettgau to Thurgau
Rheinaubrücke – from Klettgau to Thurgau
Old Town Schaffhausen
Old Town Schaffhausen
Museum zu Allerheiligen
Museum zu Allerheiligen
Munot Fortress
Munot Fortress
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Signalization

Signalization
For cycling, follow the logo indicated on the red signposts. Take a printout of our web map on your tour for safety's sake.
Signalization