Through the Vineyards of Canton Zurich

March 25, 2017 -- There is an interesting convolution of country borders in the Northern part of Switzerland where the Rhine River mostly marks the boundary between Switzerland and Germany.  In the area near Schaffhausen there are land projections of Germany within Switzerland or maybe Switzerland within Germany, so sometimes you are unsure in which country you might happen to be!

We walked a 14-km trail called "The Living Wine Trail" in an area called Rafzerfeld, where the five villages of Rafz, Wil, Hüntwangen, Wasterkingen and Eglisau are the only communities in Canton Zurich which lie North of the Rhine River. This area, like the Klettgau Region of Schaffhausen slightly further to the North, seems to be ideal for growing grapes for wine production, as evidenced by the well-groomed vineyards we walked through. 

The villages in this area are composed of beautiful old half-timbered homes, some dating back from the early 1600's and still very well kept. 

Hüntwangen is also home to one of the world's leading suppliers of cement and aggregates, and there are several gravel pits in the area. Switzerland has strict regulations for this kind of excavation: After removing what is needed from the ground, the company is required to rehabilitate the land in some way. The results are some wonderful marshes, bird sanctuaries, and in this case even more vineyards.

And lastly, as we approached our destination -- the charming little town of Eglisau on the Rhine -- we crossed under the magnificent train viaduct, my first time seeing this from below after many crossings above the Rhine on previous trips to the Rhine Falls North of this area. 

The train crosses the viaduct over the Rhine River at Eglisau on the way to our starting point of Rafz. The village of Eglisau beyond the bridge is the goal of our hike.

We started in Rafz and walked 14 km to Eglisau

The charming red half-timbered homes of Rafz

The charming red half-timbered homes of Rafz

The charming red half-timbered homes of Rafz

The charming red half-timbered homes of Rafz

From Rafz we head to the next village called Wil. This is a look back toward Rafz to the North

The vineyards of the Zurich Wine Cellars (Zurich Staatskellerei)

Well-groomed vineyards of the Rafzerfeld area of Switzerland

Well-groomed vineyards of the Rafzerfeld area of Switzerland

An old wine press

Picnic time with a view over the vineyards of Rafzerfeld

There are many such Red Kites in the agricultural areas of Switzerland.

Spring is definitely here!

Swiss farmers contribute to biodiversity by setting up piles of rocks and branches as hiding places and nesting places for lizards, hedgehogs, snakes and other small reptiles. These efforts are monitored regularly and graded according to a very strict points system. (IP-Suisse)

We have just passed through the second charming village of Wil.

Entering the third village of Hüntwangen

Another charming village, Hüntwangen

Cormorants in the refurbished landscape

From Hüntwangen we walk through the gravel pit properties. The company is required to refurbish the land with marshes or return it to agriculture.

And then we reach the Rhine River, with the fabulous train viaduct in Eglisau.

The fantastic railway viaduct across the Rhine River at Eglisau.

The fantastic railway viaduct across the Rhine River at Eglisau.

The fantastic railway viaduct across the Rhine River at Eglisau.

The fantastic railway viaduct across the Rhine River at Eglisau.

The fantastic railway viaduct across the Rhine River at Eglisau.

Before heading home, we wander the three roads of Eglisau's older core.

At the church square in Eglisau

Unusual gutter drains...

Walking through the old streets of Eglisau on the Rhine River.

That rope on the left, maybe that's where Rapuzel lives?

Walking through the old streets of Eglisau on the Rhine River.

Eglisau on the Rhine River

Eglisau on the Rhine River

Last look at the Railway Viaduct before heading to the train station on the South side of the Rhine.

Convolution of country borders. Rafzerfeld is the only part of Canton Zurich North of the Rhine River.