From Lake Constance to Basel, via the Rhine Falls.
Eurovélo 15 leaves its mountainous section and comes into a flatter, more populous area, but just as attractive. The river has deepened its bed between the Black Forest and the Jura, sometimes wide and slow, other times narrow and rapid, thereby creating varied landscapes sculpted over the passage of time.
switching to the north bank in the German State of Baden-Württemberg. departing Lake Constance, the cycle route first crosses Schaffhouse and its famous Rhine falls, then carries on through towns and villages spanning the river in Germany and Switzerland. On the German side of the Rhine, we find the town of Waldshut-Tiengen, whose ten quarters marry an urban atmosphere with the charm of the countryside.
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160
Lenght
km -
7 000
boats in service navigating
on the River Rhine. -
185 000 Km2
Rhine catchment
area
Munot Fortress, Schaffhouse
Overlooking the town of Schaffhausen, the Munot fortress, built in the 16th century by the citizens of the town during feudal chores, is one of the emblems of the medieval town. At the top of the tower, there is a magnificent view over the old town and the river area of the Rhine. An exceptional moment: the Munot guard, a role that has been held continuously since 1589, rings the bells every evening at 9:00 p.m.
The Rhine falls
Ranked among the highest waterfalls in Europe, the Rhine falls are located a few hundred metres downstream from Schaffhausen. 150 metres wide, 23 metres high, they have an average flow of 750 m3/s. The wild and spectacular nature of the River Rhine hurtling over the rocks attracts several hundreds of thousands of onlookers each year. Boat rides enable to get even closer to the falls.
Stein-am-Rhein
Stein-am-Rhein, known for its old town dating from the Middle Ages with its wonderful half-timbered houses and painted facades, is located at the point where Lake Constance narrows to become the River Rhine again. As it leaves the lower lake, the river heads towards the West and runs through the valleys of the countryside towards Basel.
Rheinau on the Rhine
Considered as one of the major sacred buildings in Switzerland, the monastery island of Rheinau, placed in a bend in the river downstream from Schaffhausen, houses a magnificent Benedictine abbey. The monastery in late gothic-baroque style, formerly the collegiate church of St Mary, is a wonderful illustration of high Baroque style in Switzerland.
Waldshut-Tiengen.
Twin towns in the south of the State of Baden-Württemberg, at the foot of the Black Forest, these lies close to the Swiss border. Don't miss Tiengen's castle and its famous "Storchenturm" (Stork Tower), which has become the symbol of the city. Take a stroll down the historic alleyways of Waldshut town centre.
The museums in Basel
The museums in Basel house several important international works. Each year more than one million visitors attend the some thirty-six exhibition halls, which is a particularly high density compared to other similar-sized towns. Art aficionados should not miss “Art Basel”, the largest annual modern art fair in Europe. It is held every year in mid-June.
Town of Basel
In Basel, the River Rhine joins Germany, France and Switzerland together, thus creating a cultural centre of the “three countries corner”. The people of Basel feel very attached to the River Rhine: the district’s anthem is called “Z Basel am mym Rhy” (“Basel on the Rhine”). Last port of the River Rhine that can be accessed by barges.
The Old Wooden Bridge of Bad Säckingen
In the spa town of Bad-Säckingen, in the Upper Rhine, lies the longest covered wooden bridge in Europe. It crosses over to the Swiss town of Stein. Another point of interest is St. Fridolin Cathedral in the centre of town. This is a monumental religious building whose treasure room exhibits relics, religious objects and Christian art from the convent in Säckingen, which closed in 1806.
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Waldshut-Tiengen.
Twin towns in the south of the State of Baden-Württemberg, at the foot of the Black Forest, these lies close to the Swiss border. Don't miss Tiengen's castle and its famous "Storchenturm" (Stork Tower), which has become the symbol of the city. Take a stroll down the historic alleyways of Waldshut town centre.
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Rheinau on the Rhine
Considered as one of the major sacred buildings in Switzerland, the monastery island of Rheinau, placed in a bend in the river downstream from Schaffhausen, houses a magnificent Benedictine abbey. The monastery in late gothic-baroque style, formerly the collegiate church of St Mary, is a wonderful illustration of high Baroque style in Switzerland.
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Munot Fortress, Schaffhouse
Overlooking the town of Schaffhausen, the Munot fortress, built in the 16th century by the citizens of the town during feudal chores, is one of the emblems of the medieval town. At the top of the tower, there is a magnificent view over the old town and the river area of the Rhine. An exceptional moment: the Munot guard, a role that has been held continuously since 1589, rings the bells every evening at 9:00 p.m.
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Town of Basel
In Basel, the River Rhine joins Germany, France and Switzerland together, thus creating a cultural centre of the “three countries corner”. The people of Basel feel very attached to the River Rhine: the district’s anthem is called “Z Basel am mym Rhy” (“Basel on the Rhine”). Last port of the River Rhine that can be accessed by barges.
The countries
The Stages
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From the source of the River Rhine to Lake Constance.
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From Lake Constance to Basel, via the Rhine Falls.
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From Basel to Karlsruhe, through Alsace and the German vineyards.
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From Karlsruhe to Bingen, through the vineyards.
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From Bingen to Cologne, through the legendary landscapes of the Romantic Rhine.
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From Cologne to Arnhem, through the largest industrial centre in Europe.
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From Arnhem to the North Sea, on the Rhine Delta.





