Reiatweg
Overview
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Distance 19 km
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Duration 5 h 10 min
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Ascent 560 m
Intro
Switzerland’s northern-most round hike leads through 4 villages of the Thayngen community in canton Schaffhausen. Grill place, restaurants & swimming promise an enjoyable round hike.
Description
Where the forested Randen gently merges into Hegau with its distinctive lava domes, is the Reiat. The Biber rivulet has carved its way deep into the ground. The four villages, Bibern, Hofen, Altdorf and Opfertshofen were once owned by lords and clergy. In this idyllic, quiet corner of Switzerland there is a colourful interplay of fields, meadows, vineyards and mixed forests. Time and again enjoy the magnificent views of the Hegau volcanoes and of the midlands all the way to the Alps.
The recommended starting point for this hike is Hüttenleben, on the edge of Thayngen village. Did you know? This place is the home of a real classic of Swiss cuisine! This is where Aromat (a condiment) is manufactured. Another special feature: the commune has a longer border with Germany than with Switzerland. You follow the German border along the river Biber as far as Bibern. The "Beauty of Bibern" is not a lady, but a variety of plum. It is officially entered in the Swiss Register of Plant Varieties and is honoured with a festival every three years. A little gem in the local schoolhouse: the Museum of Typewriters, with over 400 models.
Now closed down, the Hofen brickworks used to have 120 employees: it was once the region's largest employer and even supplied bricks for the Federal Parliament building in Bern. Another impressive sight is the Holländerhaus (Dutch House), a 17th-century half-timbered structure regarded as one of the canton's finest buildings. The hike takes you along smugglers' paths to the northernmost inhabited area of Switzerland, the Egghof above Sottenegg near Altdorf. Despite the northern latitude, vines have flourished here since Roman times. However, Switzerland's northernmost vineyard was only planted in 1972, and the route takes you directly past it. You should sample Riesling and Pinot Noir, which flourish on this calcareous clay soil. After you pass the Hegi biotope with its dragonflies and amphibian species, a unique view of the Hegau region (in Germany) awaits you above Opfertshofen: extinct volcanoes on the horizon, the Swiss Alps as the backdrop, and an untouched natural region at your feet. You will cherish these impressions as you return to Thayngen.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Thayngen
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Thayngen
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| Ascent |
560 m
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| Descent |
560 m
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| Distance |
19 km
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| Duration |
5 h 10 min
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| Duration back |
5 h 10 min
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| Technical requirements |
Easy
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| Physical requirements |
Difficult
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| Season |
April - October
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| Theme |
Through a vineyard, With panoramic view
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| Category |
Hiking
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| Signalization |
Signalisation in both directions
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Quick Facts
Route number
