Hiking in Switzerland – Gabrielle and Urs

June 22, 2016

Bike Ride down the Engelberg Valley

(This post created and published on Feb.5, 2023)

Wednesday June 22, 2016 -- A beautiful day not to be wasted but I was own my own for this excursion.

I took my bike on the train (1hr, 25 minutes) to the town of Engelberg, from where I first pedaled toward the back of the valley into the side valley called "End of the World" (Ende der Welt), then further on to the waterfalls near the base station of the Fürenalp cableway, and then back to Engelberg, and then joined the Engelberger Aa River as it emerges from the gorge. From there I followed the river all the way to Stans, inspecting cable cars along the way for future hikes.

In all, it was a non-strenuous 32-km bike ride with some very beautiful scenery, wonderful smells of the freshly-mown grass, and surprisingly large amounts of snow in the mountains for this late in June. But by the time I reached Stans it was almost too hot in the sun, and I was glad to get back on the train. I started at about 11 a.m. and ended about 3:30 p.m.

Starting in Engelberg, I headed east toward the back of the valley

A close-up shot toward the back of the Engelberg Valley (the valley actually continues to the left).

This side valley to the North is called "End of the World". I did a detour here first

I actually didn't know it was called "End of the World" until I saw the name of this restaurant here!

What an interesting wood carving!

The wood carving from the other side. It looks so real!

Continuing on now to the back of the valley. This path was so easy to ride on!

The waterfalls near the valley station of the Fürenalp cable-way. This is as far as I wanted to go, as my main goal was to ride out of the valley.

Now I've turned around and am heading back toward Engelberg.

A section of path next to the river, and a look back behind me.

The view into that side valley to the north, called "End of the World".

Everywhere the farmers were using this hot weather to cut their grass to make hay. It always smells so nice when they do this.

Passing through the parking lot of the Engelberg-Titlis cable-way parking lot. Loads and loads of buses always park here, mostly with Asian tourists who all want to go up to the summit of Mt. Titlis. (Year-round snow there).

Riding along Engelberg's signature lake: Eugenisee

I would have liked to be on the photo, but could find nowhere to set up my camera for a self-timed photo!

At this old Roman bridge across the Engelberger Aa River is the start of the hiking trail down the Aa Gorge. Bikes are not allowed, so I had to take the road to meet the river at the bottom end of the gorge.

Down below is the power plant's reservoir lake. That's where I was able to join the trail along the river.

Leading a dangerous life. I moved him to the right side of the road, I hope that was what he had in mind!

Time for a picnic lunch along the river.

A look up-river near Grafenort

The Bielen cable-car, very popular with paragliders. I watched several of them land in the nearby field.

Approaching a landing near the Bielen cable-way.

Another look up-valley as I continue in the other direction

On the other side of the railway line, a family is busy cutting and raking the hay to dry it as quickly as possible. Often this is all done by hand.

This is the Hinterdiegisbalm cable-car near Wolfenschiessen, also a favourite of paragliders. All these small cable-ways are privately-owned by farmers at the top, but subsidized by the government for public use. Usually you pay at the top...

A lovely wooden covered bridge near Wolfenschiessen

A final look up valley as I rest in the shade near Dallenwil, on the final stretch to the train station in Stans.

An easy, approx. 30-km bike ride down the Engelberg Valley.

June 18, 2016

Schaffhausen to Rheinau, Highlight = RHINE FALLS

Saturday June 18, 2016 --

The Rhine Falls are the largest falls in Europe, measuring 150m in width and 23m in height, with an average of 600m3 per second of water plunging over the falls in summer.

(At the time of this hike in June of 2016, after so much rain this spring, the volume of water going over the falls increased by 50% to 875m3 per second! )

This was a pleasant and non-strenuous 3.5-hour hike starting in the very pretty old town of Schaffhausen with its signature benches and the Munot Tower (Castle).

From here we hiked along the Rhine River (at some places the river overflowing onto the trail) reaching the magnificent falls in just one hour. Under normal circumstances, tourists can take a boat to the huge boulder in the center of the falls, and climb the stairs to the top, but at this time there was simply too much water and the boats could not dock there.

From the falls we continued for another two hours (total 14 km) always following the River or parallel to it (the Rhine River forms the border of Switzerland and Germany) until our destination of Rheinau, which lies in a bend of the Rhine River and boasts a historical former Benedictine Monastery located on an island in the river. The church with its magnificent interior is an impressive example of Baroque architecture and one of

Switzerland

’s most significant religious structures.

Unfortunately we got caught in a flash rainstorm as we approached our destination, and got soaked before we had a chance to get our umbrellas out! We did consider ourselves lucky to have had an entire morning without rain!

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Here are some pictures of this hike:

Typical painted houses in the old town Schaffhausen

There are all these great benches all over the old town, from various donors and with all kinds of themes.

The Castle "Munot" is a well-known landmark in Schaffhausen.

Our 14-km hike took us along the Rhine River from Schaffhausen to Rheinau, mostly along the border between Switzerland and Germany. We followed the themed trail no.60: "Via Rhenana"

Across the river in the community called Flurlingen, the houses nearest the river are in danger of having their gardens flooded

There was so much rain this spring, that the Rhine River has overflowed its banks.

In about an hour we reached the top of the Rhine Falls, where the Laufen Castle is perched.

Top of the Rhine Falls with Schloss Laufen

Masses of water flow under the railway bridge (the train goes through a tunnel under the castle)

50% more water than normal at this time of year!

On our walk down to the lower section of the falls, we encountered this. It was cute to watch the kids pretend milking the cow!

Boats still take tourists out near the falls, but they cannot dock at the big rock with the flag.

50% more water than normal at this time of year!

This one sits atop his own waterfall!

VIDEO:

I put together a short video of the falls, as it is impressive to see and hear the water flow!

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Trail marker showing us the way to Rheinau!

Heading South from the falls along the Rhine River, which has flooded the trail at some places.

Here is an outdoor swimming area with access to the river. Will have to try this out sometime!

And always lots of swans on the river.

Walking along the Rhine River on the Swiss side. The forest on the other side is Germany.

A lovely display of succulents along the way, in someone's private garden

We are following regional trail no.60: "Via Rhenana". At this point we've come two hours from Schaffhausen, and have another hour to go to Rheinau, the end of our hike.

Walking along the Rhine River on the Swiss side. The forest on the other side is Germany

A swan excursion (group swimming...)

On our approach to Rheinau, we can see the storm coming up, and shortly afterwards we got caught in a flash downpour. (This church is called the "Bergkirche", or Mountain Church)

The former Benedictine Monastery at Rheinau, built on an island in the middle of the Rhine River.

An impressive example of Baroque architecture and one of Switzerland's most significant churches.