The Munot, Schaffhausen’s landmark, is located in the middle of this northernmost city in Switzerland. Once outside of the original city walls, the 16th century fortress now stands within the city of bay windows. Expansion is everything. Speaking of bay windows - Schaffhausen has more than 170 of these, the most in all of Switzerland. For many locals they still are a status symbol for wealth and prestige. Historic, lovingly restored fountains are pleasantly murmuring everywhere in town. Nearby Neuhausen also has an abundance of water: Rhine Route No. 2 merges here with EuroVelo Route No. 6 (Atlantic-Black Sea), which leads from Nantes to Constanta (Romania) and the Black Sea. But the spray of the Rhine Falls in Neuhausen, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, is white, not black. The Falls are most impressive in the summer when the alpine snows are melting. The tourist boats are carefully threading through the narrow channels to get as close as possible to the roaring water.

In comparison, the sunflowers you see as you continue have a calming effect. They seem to gaze adoringly at the sun. To catch a closer look at the historic monastic church and the town of Rheinau you would have to leave the bicycle route (approx. 1 km). Rheinau Abbey, a former Benedictine monastery situated on a sheltered bend of the Rhine, was established during the second half of the 8th century. Today, the onetime monastic building is used by a spiritual community and a music centre. You continue travelling through the riparian forests of the Rhine on an unsurfaced path. The Rhine is flowing peacefully along making this part of the route very pleasant. The path then crosses the Thur River and enters the lovely Flaach Valley. Close to the mouth of the Töss River, it returns to the Rhine and there is an opportunity for a quick visit to the pretty town of Eglisau, which is surrounded by vineyards.

A stop in the medieval town of Kaiserstuhl is almost mandatory. From the majestic Upper Tower built in the 12th/13th century the road descends steeply down to the banks of the Rhine. Castle Röteln and Hohentengen a. H. are located on the other side. While the Upper Rhine may feel very peaceful, the river is very efficient here, with hydroelectric plants generating power, in Rheinau, for example, and in the Eglisau-Glattfelden and Reckingen plants. The small town of Bad Zurzach doesn’t have a power plant, but it is known for its warm (39.5 degrees C) Glauber’s salt spring in the therapeutic baths of Zurzach. Perfect for warming up chilled arms and legs.