Explore Rheineck on a town walk or along longer hiking trails. The town walk is available with a guide or self-guided; the Rheintal Industrial Trail is 40.3 kilometres long and can be hiked in one or more stages. This gives you two different ways to plan your trip: explore the streets and buildings in the town, or spend more time on hiking trails. If you’re looking for a hotel, you can base your choice on whether the town’s history or longer routes will shape your stay.
Lanes, town gate and historic interiors
The lane Hinter dem Markt escaped the fire of 1876 and still conveys a sense of the medieval era. The Rhytor is Rheineck’s last surviving town gate. It was repainted in 1955, and its design reveals various details from the town’s past. A short climb past St. James’ Church offers views of the church grounds and the old town. If you’d prefer a guided town walk, it’s best to check the current dates in advance.
The town hall was built in 1553/55. Its council chamber contains heraldic stained-glass panels, Herzig paintings and the Oath Panel; there is also a Rococo meeting room with an old stepped stove. The interiors are particularly worth seeing. The Old Bailiff’s House, built in 1580, served as a prestigious residence for the bailiffs until 1772. The Old Chancellery was built on the site of the former Rinegge Castle; its exact construction date is unknown. With its Baroque complex, Löwenhof is a cultural monument of national importance. Its courtyard contains a French-style garden with an orangery, fountain and pavilion. If you’d like to visit the town hall interiors or the courtyard, check access in advance.
By the water and in nearby Eselschwanz
The Rheineck lakeside path leads from the boat landing towards Eselschwanz, Rheineck’s local recreation area, or towards Lake Constance. The nearby Eselschwanz area on the Old Rhine is a nature reserve and an amphibian spawning area of national importance. Please observe the local conservation rules there. From Rheineck, you can reach the area on bus route 304; from the Nebengraben stop, it is less than a ten-minute walk towards the motorway underpass. Check the current route and stop information before travelling.
Hiking at different scales
The Rheintal High Trail offers far-reaching views down into the Rhine Valley, towards Lake Constance and beyond the national border; visibility depends on the weather. It descends to Rheineck via the ruins of Alt Rheineck Castle. The Rheintal Industrial Trail runs from Rheineck to Rüthi, or vice versa. It is 40.3 kilometres long and follows the Rheintal High Trail No. 86 for most of its route. It can be hiked in one or more stages. Information panels, films and audio recordings share insights into industry, culture, leisure, gastronomy and the hotel industry. Rheineck was home to Switzerland’s first weaving-machine factory. You can therefore choose between two different options for the length of your hike: a short climb near St. James’ Church or a longer route that can be completed in stages.
Discover more destinations: Diepoldsau, Balgach, Rüthi, Au, Widnau, Oberriet, Marbach, Altstätten
View the wider travel overview: Rheintal.
