Discover Waldshut-Tiengen

Waldshut-Tiengen combines historic buildings and museums with activities in the forest, by the river and on a bike. The options range from guided city tours and wildlife watching to circular hikes, each with a different focus: architecture and urban history alongside nature experiences and outdoor activities.

The history of Waldshut and Tiengen

Historic city tours, dramatic costumed tours and themed walks offer different ways to explore Waldshut-Tiengen. Depending on the format and date, they may also take you into hidden corners and buildings that are not usually open to the public. In Tiengen, the Catholic parish church of the Assumption of Mary is well worth a visit: Vorarlberg Baroque master builder Peter Thumb built it between 1753 and 1755. The lower part of the tower dates back to the earlier Gothic building.

In Waldshut, the Upper Gate, also known as the Schaffhausen Gate, is one of the town’s notable historic buildings; its foundations date back to the 13th century. In Tiengen, the Klettgau Museum in the castle offers a very different perspective on history. Its local history collection includes archaeological finds from excavations in the Klettgau. A “Jewish Room” is devoted to the history of Judaism in Tiengen. The Old Oil Mill displays equipment made entirely of wood; its press dates from 1858. The Old Butchers’ Hall in Waldshut also houses a local history museum, which opens for special exhibitions. Before visiting, check whether an exhibition is taking place.

Wildlife park, yew forest and views

At the Waldshut Wildlife Park, you can see various species of deer, wild boar, ibex, mouflon, pygmy goats, owls, other birds and some small animals. Food for some of the animals is available from vending machines; the animals and feeding options may change. The grounds also include a large playground for children. From the town center, the Mittelweg takes about 45 minutes on foot to reach the wildlife park.

The Yew Forest adventure trail, established in 2019, is close to the wildlife park. Along its 1.7-kilometer route, information stations cover the local forest, tree species, forestry and wood, as well as the role dead trees play in the cycle of life. Parking is available at the entrance. From Waldshut’s old town, you can reach the trail on foot in about 45 minutes.

The observation platform of the Vitibuck Tower, at a height of 37 meters, offers views of Tiengen and the surrounding area. On a clear day, the view stretches over Küssaburg as far as the Alps. At the foot of the tower, there is a small hiking car park, a barbecue area and a children’s playground. The viewpoint, playground and wildlife park each offer a different experience if you want to include nature activities in your travel plans.

Cycling, hiking and exploring the Rhine

The three Stadt.Wald.Fluss. cycling routes start at Waldshut railway station and loop around Waldshut or Tiengen and through their respective districts. The routes are 26 to 47 kilometers long, with climbs and descents of between 500 and 1,000 meters in elevation. They mostly follow paved roads, forest tracks and meadow paths, and are not signposted throughout. Routes and signage may change, so check your route before setting out.

The “Double Loop” circular hike passes the old towns of Waldshut and Tiengen, the Vitibuck Tower, and the banks of the Wutach and Rhine rivers. You can shorten it by using public transport or walk it in two stages. If you plan to take the shortcut, check transport availability and timetables in advance. This lets you plan the hike in stages while still using the named sights as landmarks.

You can also take a trip on the Rhine: on certain days, a boat runs hourly between the landing stages in Waldshut and Full in Switzerland. In the afternoon, one- or two-hour round trips are available. Various dinner cruises can also be booked. Operating days, timetables and availability may change, so plan according to the latest information.

When choosing accommodation, it helps to first decide which experiences you want to shape your stay: local history and museums, paths through the forest and surrounding districts, a circular hike or a trip on the Rhine. The options vary in character and, in some cases, in duration.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Eggingen, Ühlingen-Birkendorf, Küssaberg, Weilheim, Wehr, Bonndorf Im Schwarzwald, Bernau Im Schwarzwald, Bad Säckingen.

Back to the main travel overview: Waldshut.