Trails in the Canton of Schaffhausen

Nestled against the German border, the canton of Schaffhausen is the northernmost in Switzerland. The Rhine traces wide loops around the city of Schaffhausen, overlooked by the round fortress of the Munot 🏰. Further north, the Randen stretches its wooded ridge to over 900 m, while the Reiat rolls toward the German Hegau.

For a trail run in the canton of Schaffhausen, the scenery is all about variety. The Randen trails run through large beech forests, cross open clearings overlooking the valley and offer distant views all the way to the Alps on a clear day 🌲. Along the Rhine, riverbank paths alternate with cliffside sections, before reaching the Rhine Falls, where the roar of the water accompanies the final kilometers. Spring and autumn remain ideal, when the ground is firm and mist floats over the river.

The Finishers trail calendar does not yet include a race in Schaffhausen, so neighboring regions take over. In Graubünden, the Rheinquelle-Trail starts in July from Sedrun, very close to the sources of the Rhine 🌊. In Aarau, the Aare Lauf / Aare Trail offers nature courses along the river in June. In Engelberg, the RunThrough Trails Engelberg set off in August at the foot of the Titlis. To widen your search, check out the trails in the canton of Zurich, those in the canton of St. Gallen or the Trails in Switzerland page.

The canton is not short on curiosities. In Stein am Rhein, the old town with its painted facades looks like it came straight out of a picture book 🎨. Foodies try the Schaffhauser Bölletünne, a crispy onion tart that is a worthy replacement for an energy gel. Short climb or long ridge traverse, choose the trail that suits you 🏃.