If you ever find yourself in northern Switzerland near the border with Germany, you may want to consider taking a side trip to Rhine Falls — or Rheinfall, as it is known in German — located in its namesake, the Rhine River.
Rhine Falls in Northern Switzerland
Rhine Falls is the largest waterfall in Europe.
A boat navigates near Rhine Falls. The railroad bridge with arches is in the background on the right.
The following list includes some facts and figures pertaining to Rhine Falls:
- Width of the Falls 150 meters
- Height of the Falls 23 meters
- Depth of the basin 13 meters
- Age of the Falls approximately 15,000 years
- Capacity of flow in summer approximately 600,000 liters per second
- Capacity of flow in winter approximately 250,000 liters per second
- Lowest capacity of flow 95,000 liters per second in 1921
- Greatest capacity of flow 1,250,000 liters per second in 1965
Looks like I have a new friend…
…or maybe not. That was my swan song at Rhine Falls, I suppose.
I was not at Rhine Falls after the sun set; but it is illuminated at night.
Final Boarding Call
A FlyerTalk member with whom I have been friends for years brought me there in his car with a colleague of his. Although I have been to other falls such as Iguazu Falls and Niagara Falls, I found historic Rhine Falls to be peaceful and calming with some nice scenery.
Rhine Falls
8447 Laufen-Uhwiesen
Switzerland
Rhine Falls can be viewed from viewing platforms that are located on the:
- Northern banks of the falls free of charge — and this viewing platform is never closed to the public.
- Schloss Laufen side of the falls — which includes access to the Historama and the viewing platforms in the ticket price — for a fee of:
- Five Swiss francs per person
- Three Swiss francs per person for:
- Children between the ages of 6 years old and 15 years old
- Groups between 15 people to 29 people
- Two Swiss francs per person for groups with greater than 30 people
You can choose to take a boat ride closer to the falls for an additional charge. Many events are held at Rhine Falls throughout the year.
Parking at the falls is available for cars with a length up to 2.9 meters for a fee of:
- Five Swiss francs for up to a maximum of one hour
- Two Swiss francs for each additional hour
- At no cost if the vehicle is parked between 6:00 in the evening and 9:00 in the morning
Payment in euros is possible.
The Rhine Falls are easily accessible by public transportation, car, boat, or bicycle.
All photographs ©2009 by Brian Cohen.
