ViaRhenana, Stage 8/10

The idyllic Rheinuferweg links the well-kept «forest towns» of Laufenburg and Säckingen, passing their monumental river power stations. At Säckingen you cross Europe’s longest covered wooden bridge, dominated by the Fridolinsmünster.

The hike begins at the Laufenburg bus stop in the heart of the small town. The waymarked trail initially climbs gently and, near Heuberg, soon reaches the route’s highest point at around 320 metres. After that, the terrain remains level. Houses and roads recede as the forest takes over, accompanying much of the first half of the route.

Later, the landscape opens out into meadows and pastures. After around six kilometres, the route passes through Sisseln before returning to green, sparsely developed stretches. Alternating gently between woodland, meadows and the edges of settlements, the trail approaches Stein. The final section through the built-up area begins near Restaurant Zollhüsli. After a total of about eleven kilometres, the hike ends at the Stein-Säckingen bus stop. With around 100 metres of ascent and a walking time of just under three hours, the route is not particularly strenuous; its appeal lies in the understated variety of its landscapes.