Best waterfalls around Merishausen are found in a region known for its diverse natural landscapes in Switzerland. The area features significant water formations, including Europe's largest waterfall by volume. Merishausen and its surroundings offer various opportunities for outdoor exploration, with a focus on natural attractions. The local topography provides both grand spectacles and more intimate waterfall experiences.
Last updated: August 16, 2026
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Unfortunately, today it was only a small hidden trickle
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The Schlössli Wörth (12th century castle with restaurant) was closed on December 22, 2024 for an indefinite period (for the purpose of handing over the catering business)
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This single-track bridge was built in 1856 and expanded in the late 1950s with pedestrian walkways on both sides. It is an important traffic structure and, at the same time, a popular photo motif for visitors. The bridge spans the river at an angle of about 55 degrees and offers a beautiful view of the Rhine Falls and the surrounding landscape.
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Great view of Laufen Castle from the Rhine bank hiking trail.
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Depending on the rainfall, a small or slightly larger waterfall
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The Rhine bridge at Laufen (also called Rheinfallbrücke) is a single-track railway bridge of the Rheinfallbahn, which spans the Rhine in Switzerland between Laufen-Uhwiesen and Neuhausen, above the Rhine Falls. The structure dates from 1856 and was extended at both sides with pedestrian walkways at the end of the 1950s. From the bridge, you have great views of the Rhine Falls.
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For us it was more of a slightly smaller waterfall
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The Rhine Falls Bridge between the Swiss communities of Neuhausen and Laufen is a single-track railway bridge of the Rhine Falls Railway, spanning the Rhine above the Rhine Falls over a length of 155 meters and a height of around 10 meters. The structure dates back to 1856 and was expanded at the end of the 1950s to include pedestrian walkways on both sides. The opening of the Rhine Falls Railway from Winterthur to Schaffhausen in 1857 opened up the Rhine Falls region to modern traffic for the first time and also ensured the rise of tourism at the Rhine Falls themselves.
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The Rhine Falls are very family-friendly, offering various viewing platforms, boat tours, and the historical Schloss Wörth and Laufen Castle with museums and restaurants. The area around the Rhine Falls also features parks for walks and picnics. Accessibility is good, with wheelchair and stroller access, and elevators and ramps available at Schloss Laufen.
The Rhine Falls are most impressive in early summer when they carry the most water, not necessarily in spring due to snowmelt. For the Schleifenbach Waterfalls, be aware that paths can be very slippery in wet weather, so a dry day is preferable for safety.
Yes, the Rhine Falls offer good accessibility. On the southern bank, Schloss Laufen provides elevators and ramps, making viewing platforms accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. The northern bank also offers free access to viewing areas.
For the Schleifenbach Waterfalls, if you wish to avoid the metal ladders, there is an alternative starting point in Blumberg on the other side of the stream, which is suitable for visitors with dogs. The Rhine Falls area is also generally dog-friendly, though dogs should be kept on a leash.
The Rhine Falls are Europe's largest waterfall by volume, featuring a powerful cascade 23 meters high and 150 meters wide. You can experience the thundering water from various viewpoints, including a rock in the middle of the falls accessible by boat. The surrounding area also offers the Rhine Falls Park for walks.
The Schleifenbach Waterfalls offer a more intimate experience, characterized by a descent involving serpentines, stairs, and metal ladders. These waterfalls are a by-product of the Wutach river diversion, forming three distinct cascades with a total fall height of 30 meters. It's a very cool, local natural attraction just outside Merishausen.
Yes, near the Rhine Falls, you can visit Laufen Castle on the southern bank. This medieval castle houses a museum, a restaurant, and offers dramatic views of the waterfall. On the opposite bank, Schloss Wörth, a 12th-century castle on a small island, also serves as a restaurant and offers panoramic views.
The region around Merishausen offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous cycling routes, including gravel biking and mountain biking trails. For example, there are routes like the 'Rhine Bridge Stein am Rhein loop' for gravel biking or the 'Rhine Falls – Büchener Stumpen Oak loop' for cycling. Explore more options on the Gravel biking around Merishausen or Cycling around Merishausen guide pages.
The Schleifenbach Waterfalls involve a descent with serpentines, stairs, and metal ladders, which can be challenging, especially when wet and slippery. For a more rugged experience, the Sturzdobel Falls also require sure-footedness and some climbing to get up close, as paths can be steep and slippery.
Visitors frequently praise the impressive natural spectacle of the Rhine Falls, especially the sheer volume of water. The unique experience of boat tours getting close to the falls and the historical context of Laufen Castle are also highly valued. For the Schleifenbach Waterfalls, the 'very cool' and intimate adventure of navigating the ladders and serpentines is a highlight.
The Rhine Falls are located approximately 9.2 km from Merishausen, near Schaffhausen, making them a significant and easily accessible natural attraction in the wider region.
Yes, there are multiple viewpoints. The View of the Rhine Falls highlight specifically offers various perspectives of this massive waterfall. You can also experience the falls from platforms on both the northern and southern banks, and even from a rock in the middle of the falls via boat tour.


Happy to travel a little further afield? Then browse these guides for the best waterfalls around Merishausen: