Hallau brings together winegrowing and history in striking examples: the Weinkrone explores the history of regional winegrowing in a historic winemaker’s house, while the Bergkirche St. Moritz tells the story of an older layer of the village. Together with Oberhallau, Trasadingen and Wilchingen, Hallau belongs to the Lower Klettgau district in the canton of Schaffhausen. The district covers 46.61 km² and lies between 390 and 642 metres above sea level. Winegrowing is the common thread; churches, museums and trails add further facets of the municipalities.
Winegrowing and regional tradition
Hallau is a winegrowing municipality in the Lower Klettgau area. In Wilchingen-Osterfingen, vineyards covering more than 6,000 ares lie close together. Pinot Noir, Riesling-Silvaner and Pinot Gris grow in the vineyards around Klettgau. The Hallau autumn festivals have been held since 1935 and take place every year in October; the exact dates vary from year to year. They put the spotlight on Hallau, its wines, local products and the region.
At the Weinkrone, a historic winemaker’s house presents the history of regional winegrowing. The Weinkrone offers 55 wines from 25 wineries in Schaffhausen’s Blauburgunderland wine region for tasting and purchase. As this selection may change, check the current details before visiting. Wine cellar tours are available in Wilchingen, Osterfingen and Hallau: one or two selected wine cellars are visited in each destination, along with tastings led by producers. Confirm dates and booking conditions in advance.
The wine trail in Trasadingen offers a different perspective: the approximately one-hour loop starts at the schoolhouse and passes 22 information panels. Guided tours are also available; arrange your booking before travelling. This gives you a choice between an independent walk and a guided wine experience.
Churches and museums tell the story of local history
The Bergkirche St. Moritz in Hallau was built in 1491 and dedicated to Saint Maurice. It was classified as a cultural property of national importance in 1974 because of its art-historical and historical significance. The church is just over a ten-minute walk away via the Chilcheweg. The Bänkli hike also leads through the vineyards of Hallauerberg to the church, with views across the whole of Klettgau and the Randen.
The local museum in Hallau focuses its permanent cultural history exhibition on rural life in the 19th and 20th centuries. It also features an extensive collection of weapons, with pieces dating from the early modern period to the present day. During regular opening hours, the museum operates a working Linotype typesetting machine. If you would like to see the machine in operation, check the details before your visit.
The local museum in Wilchingen features rural domestic life in Klettgau, as well as equipment and tools from agriculture and small businesses, alongside exhibits on geology and village history. The collection also includes writers’ rooms dedicated to Berta Hallauer, Albert Bächtold and Ruth Blum. The Jakob-Ritzmann room displays paintings by artist Jakob Ritzmann. The two local museums therefore offer different perspectives: one focuses particularly on rural life and a collection of weapons, while the other brings together everyday history, literature and painting.
Trails through vineyards and countryside
For planning by distance, two trails offer a clear contrast. The Hallau panoramic tour is about 27 kilometres long, has around 200 metres of elevation gain and runs mostly on unpaved roads. The sculpture trail between Osterfingen and Jestetten is 8.6 kilometres long in total; walking time alone is about 2.5 hours, with around 200 metres of elevation gain. It starts in the centre of Osterfingen and ends on the northern edge of Jestetten. Opened in 2025, the trail features eleven wooden sculptures, mostly created by regional artists. As route conditions and the course may change, check them before setting out.
The Wilchingen tree and shrub nature trail introduces visitors to native forest plants. Along the boardwalk from the small Wilchingen mountain chapel to the barbecue area, 54 labelled trees and shrubs are displayed. The Bean Ore Trail is another educational trail on Rossberg. Those interested in nature education can choose between different focuses: a trail with labelled plants and an educational trail on Rossberg.
The landscape also features striking formations. The ruins of Radegg Castle lie on the southern slope of Rossberg in Osterfingen, on a rugged mountain spur. The Nagelfluh cave in the FlĂĽe area between Osterfingen and Wilchingen offers an unobstructed view of neighbouring German Klettgau.
More experiences in the municipalities
The Bergtrotte Osterfingen pairs regional cuisine with a wine press dating from 1584. Cultural events include readings, jazz concerts and comedy; the programme may change, so it is worth checking the dates. In Oberhallau, Hofgut Graf & Gräfin offers donkey picnics and hikes with donkeys, among other activities. Guided tours through the Hallau vineyards with wine tasting at a private vineyard hut are also available. These activities are arranged by booking and require reconfirmation before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Wilchingen, Oberhallau; Reiat, Stein, Schleitheim, Schaffhausen and Upper Klettgau.
Back to the main travel overview: Schaffhausen.
