The western arm of the ViaGottardo leads from the national border in the Schaffhauser Jura to the edge of the Alps, through a landscape of contrasts. The vibrant economic centre of Switzerland is a natural, urban and transport landscape rolled into one.
The Schaffhauser Randen hills, the riverside landscapes of the Hochrhein, the glacial landscape between the Thur and Rhine rivers, the Albis chain, the moraine area on the Hirzel between the Zürichsee lake, Sihltal valley and Höhronen, the Zugersee lake and the region around the Vierwaldstättersee lake are all landscapes of national importance. Thanks to their wealth of forms, natural diversity and cultural-historic evidence, they are among the areas of eastern Switzerland that are most valuable and worthy of protection.
The cityscapes also belong to the most varied areas it is possible to visit. Anyone escaping the daily hustle and bustle and crossing these with the quiet gaze of a hiker will always discover something new. For the ViaGottardo, they are as characteristic as the scenic aspect. The Greater Zurich area, the cityscape that is one of Switzerland's strongest economic regions, reminds us that that we are travelling on a branch of the Gotthard route, Switzerland's most important economic international transport link.
Route
Etappe 1 Bargen SH – Schaffhausen
Etappe 2 Schaffhausen–Rheinau
Etappe 3 Rheinau–Eglisau
Etappe 4 Eglisau–Kloten
Etappe 5 Kloten–Zürich
Etappe 6 Zürich–Zug
Etappe 7 Zug–Küssnacht am Rigi
Tour profile
Section 1
The typical scenery of the Talfeljura in the Durachtal valley is preparation for the following stages. While in Mühletal it is primarily industrial buildings that catch the eye, Schaffhausen with its authentic old town is a surprise.
Section 2
The stage leads via the Feuerthalen Rhine promenade and the Flurlingen Rhine bridge to the Rhine Falls, passing the castles of Laufen and Wörth. It then continues on idyllic footpaths to end at Rheinau, with its fascinating Klosterinsel (monastery island).
Section 3
A forest path runs along the high bank of the Rhine as far as Ellikon. It remains shady in riverside woodland at the confluence of the Thur and Rhine. A wonderful panoramic view opens up at Buchberg, before the route descends through sunny vineyards to Eglisau.
Sights
Altstadt Schaffhausen
Rheinfall
Klosterkirche Rheinau
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