Here in the southwest, the Rhine is very well suited for paddling on the SUP and for tours in many sections. In the area from Lake Constance to Basel it is not yet used for freight shipping. Downstream from Basel there are always sections where the side arms and the natural river run parallel to the canal and are largely left in their natural state.
This SUP tour starts spectacularly directly below the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen. You can swim at the Rhine Falls on the Schaffhausen side to the right after the Rhine Falls basin and after the Schlössli Wörth restaurant, past the fish farm. There are parking spaces at the Rhine Falls, but the parking ticket for one day is extremely expensive(the first hour 5 CHF, each additional hour 2 CHF), it is therefore advisable to travel by train to the Neuhausen a. Rhf. You come back if you paddle to Eglisau (8 hours), there is the next train station on this route. The train station in Eglisau is located higher up on the mountain and you have to carry your board up at the end of the tour. Alternatively, a two-car shuttle can be arranged.
Shortly before the start, picturesque Swiss half-timbered houses at the Rheinfall Schaffhausen car park
The Schaffhausen Rhine Falls - this is where the tour starts below.
This SUP tour starts spectacularly directly below the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen. You can swim at the Rhine Falls on the Schaffhausen side to the right after the Rhine Falls basin and after the Schlössli Wörth restaurant, past the fish farm. There are parking spaces at the Rhine Falls, but the parking ticket for one day is extremely expensive(the first hour 5 CHF, each additional hour 2 CHF), it is therefore advisable to travel by train to the Neuhausen a. Rhf. You come back if you paddle to Eglisau (8 hours), there is the next train station on this route. The train station in Eglisau is located higher up on the mountain and you have to carry your board up at the end of the tour. Alternatively, a two-car shuttle can be arranged.
Tip: The SUP Club e.V. in Altenburg (DE) offers a weekly shuttle for club members from Altenburg (DE) to the Rhine Falls during the high season. If there is still space, you are welcome to join. See www.inselpaddler.de/Programm when and if the shuttle takes place. The meeting point is at the car park on the Rhine at the Altenburg sewage treatment plant.
You can embark at the Rhine Falls on the Schaffhausen side to the right after the Rhine Falls basin and after the Schlössli Wörth restaurant, past the fish farm.
Most of the time, the Rhine pulls noticeably up to the weir near Rheinau, 7 km away. In the summer months, smaller tourist boats and private Weidlings operate on this route, but no large ferries. Nevertheless, as everywhere else, you should stick to the boat rules. At the weir zu Rheinau you have to cross over on the right side. Stairs make it easier to get on and off.
Immediately after the weir, paddle to the left towards the monastery island of Rheinau, which you should definitely circle around for its beauty. Shortly before the monastery you can also cross the island via a small tunnel. The Rhine is very calm here, almost like a lake. On the left, after the island and after the small pointed church, there is a boat dock, and after a while on the right – now the German side – a small bathing area with a jetty.
The circumnavigation of the monastery island of Rheinau on the almost sea-level Rhine.
A few kilometers further on, after the curve, there is another small boat dock on the right, this is the home of the island paddlers and the two-hour tour ends here. We are back at the car park by the sewage treatment plant.
If you want to continue, we recommend paddling to Eglisau. Two more weirs follow to cross over to Eglisau. In terms of landscape, the route is simply a dream. Like a canyon in places. Different current strengths of the Rhine make the whole tour just as varied, sometimes it goes briskly, sometimes calmly and you have to paddle well in parts.
A note on security:
It should be noted that there are some weirs on the High Rhine and also dangerous sections in the area of bridge piers. The current can be very strong here. So be sure to inform yourself beforehand about the course of the route, wear a hip leash and life jacket and get out and portage at a generous distance in front of weirs. The Rhine is taboo during high water.
Length of the route:
- 8.5 km to Altenburg, alternatively 26 km to Eglisau.
Entrance and exit:
- Car park at the Rhine Falls (Switzerland)
Exit briefly:
- SUP Club Inseladler e.V.
Long exit:
- Eglisau (return by train possible)Further information and shuttle on request:
www.inselpaddler.de
Tip: Relaxed touring even with luggage with the Lite Venture ULTRA inflatables
14'0" x 28"
orange grey
11'6" x 31"
12'6" x 30"
green
12'6" x 29"
blue
14" x 25,5"
grey