At Kesslerloch, discover a special side of the canton of Schaffhausen: all three routes of the Stone Age Trail start here. The site lies west of Thayngen railway station and was once a campsite for reindeer hunters in the Late Ice Age. Engravings on objects made from reindeer antlers, found here, attracted international attention in the late 19th century. The trail takes you through a landscape where archaeological traces and outdoor activity come together.
Choose a Stone Age Trail route by length and character
The three routes differ in length and difficulty. The Short Loop is 8.4 kilometres long and takes about 2 hours and 7 minutes. It is also accessible with a pushchair, provided its wheels are suitable for rough terrain. The Long Loop covers 15.5 kilometres and passes five archaeological sites and two geological stations. A third option is the 11.1-kilometre Kesslerloch–Schweizersbild route: it runs through the Langloch and Kurzloch gorges and offers a cultural and nature experience. Check the route details and conditions before setting off. The Stone Age Trail is well connected to public transport; trains run from Schaffhausen to Thayngen station. Current timetables can help you plan your journey.
Archaeology and collections in Schaffhausen
If you would like to explore the past not only outdoors but also through collections, the Museum zu Allerheiligen houses archaeological finds from the canton of Schaffhausen and the neighbouring region. Its cultural history collection comprises around 25,000 objects relating to the history of the city and region and their inhabitants. There is also an art collection with around 2,500 paintings and more than 400 three-dimensional works and sculptures. The various collections offer different perspectives on the region’s history and art.
The Reiat Museum focuses on life and work from the Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods through to modern times. Its local history exhibition includes household items, furniture, clothing, tools and equipment used in traditional crafts. Guided tours are available on request throughout the year. The local museum in Hallau features regional uniforms and traditional costumes, documents and fire brigade exhibits; a Linotype line-casting machine is also still in operation there.
Rhine Falls, river route and landscape
At Rhine Falls, the water takes centre stage: it is considered Europe’s largest waterfall. The mass of water plunges 23 metres over a width of 150 metres. Viewing platforms, hiking trails and boat trips offer different perspectives on this natural spectacle. Rhine Falls is freely accessible year-round; check the current conditions before your visit. In contrast to a stay by the water, scheduled boat services run along a 50-kilometre route from Schaffhausen via the Rhine and Untersee to Kreuzlingen. The boats operate from April to October. The route passes through two countries and calls at Stein am Rhein, Steckborn and Reichenau Island; check the timetable before travelling.
The wider hiking landscape around Schaffhausen is also varied, encompassing the Rhine, the gently rolling heights of the Randen, vineyards, deciduous forests, open valleys and paths along the riverbanks. The Rhine-Vineyards Route links culinary and natural highlights. The canton is home to 13 municipalities in the Regional Nature Park Schaffhausen; the transboundary park also includes two municipalities in Baden-Württemberg. It covers an area of 209 km². The canton lies north of the Rhine and is almost entirely surrounded by Germany.
Wine culture and special discoveries
The wine-growing region is known as “Schaffhauser Blauburgunderland”. At Weinkrone, you can taste and buy wines from 25 wineries in the Schaffhausen Pinot Noir region; the selection includes 55 wines and may change. The Wine Museum presents the history of regional winemaking in a historic vintner’s house. Together, they make landscape, wine and local history part of a trip through Schaffhausen, without requiring every discovery to have the same focus.
For another change of scene, visit Smilestones, Switzerland’s largest indoor miniature world, located just above Rhine Falls. Model trains run on more than 1,300 metres of track. In Buchberg, the Gattersäge sawmill tells the story of traditional industrial craftsmanship: it dates from 1925 and was rebuilt in Buchberg in 1947. The craft museum has no regular opening hours; it opens on Swiss Mill Day and in autumn for the so-called Sagi-Fisch, with free admission on both occasions. Check the dates before visiting. Together, the archaeological sites, river landscape, museums and wine culture offer different ways to discover Schaffhausen according to your own interests.
Discover more destinations: Stein, Schaffhausen, Oberklettgau, Schleitheim, Reiat, Unterklettgau, Nidwalden, Jura.
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