600,000 litres of water surge down the falls every second

The Rhine had to change its course several times after the formation of the Alps. 200,000 years ago, the water flowed from the area of the town of Schaffhausen in a westerly direction through Klettgau. This former Rhine valley was later filled with Alpine gravel. 15,000 years ago, the Rhine Falls were formed at the transition from the hard Malmkalken to an easily eroded, ice-age gravel channel to the south. The Rhine Falls rocks are the remains of the originally steeply sloping limestone flank.

Over a width of 150 metres, 600 cubic metres of water fall down the 23-metre-high cliffs every second in summer. The Rhine Falls is the largest waterfall in Europe. The gigantic spectacle can be accessed from the northern and southern banks. The forces of the water are impressively felt on the boat trip through the Rhine Falls basin, there are shorter and longer round trips by boat as well as trips from Schlössli Wörth over to Schloss Laufen, which is located on the other side of the Rhine. The excursion boats go right up to the waterfall and drop guests off at the middle rock island if they wish to get off there. From this landing stage, steep steps lead to the viewing platform, which offers a breathtaking view of the waterfall. The excursion boat, which is steered by an experienced captain, then returns to the banks of the Rhine through the billowing and sparkling water. No wonder the Rhine Falls are considered one of the most visited excursion destinations in Switzerland.

However, there should still be some time to visit the medieval old town of Schaffhausen with its 171 oriels. It is dominated by the Munot Fortress, which is worth visiting and which towers over the town as a landmark.

Pictures: Rhine Falls and Schaffhauserland Tourism / Bruno Sternegg

Realised by Roland Baumgartner
www.bgr.ch

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