Schaffhauser-Zürcher-Weg

At a Glance

• Start / Finish: Blumberg → Rapperswil-Jona
• Length: 111.6 km
• Elevation gain:↗ 2,079 m / ↘ 2,367 m
• Highest point: about 919 meters above sea level
• Duration: about 5–6 days on foot
• Character: Easy to moderate, from the Black Forest to the Zurich Oberland

Overview

The Schaffhausen-Zurich Trail begins in Blumberg in the German Black Forest, crosses the Rhine near Schaffhausen, and leads—past the Rhine Falls and the monastery island of Rheinau—through Winterthur into the Zurich Oberland. Passing through the Pfäffikon area, it finally reaches Rapperswil on the upper part of Lake Zurich.

It’s a varied route from the German low mountain ranges across the Rhine to the lake—ranging from easy to moderately difficult and takeable in about 5–6 days.

Who This Route Is Ideal For—and Who It's Not

This is the perfect way to start your trip from Germany to Switzerland—taking in the Rhine, the Rhine Falls, the city of Winterthur, and the lush Zurich Oberland—all within a manageable distance.

Not the best choice if you're expecting purely mountainous stages and high-altitude terrain: The route passes through hilly countryside, river valleys, and populated areas.

Route & Landscape

From Blumberg in the Black Forest, the route leads over the Hoher Randen to the border and on to Schaffhausen. It continues along the Rhine to the monastery island of Rheinau and on to Winterthur.

From the Winterthur area, the route leads through Pfäffikon into the Zurich Oberland—via Wetzikon, Grüningen, and Bubikon—all the way to Rapperswil on Lake Zurich.

Stages, Terrain & Difficulty

At about 112 kilometers with an elevation gain of approximately 2,080 meters, the Schaffhausen-Zurich Trail ranges from easy to moderately difficult and can be completed in about 5–6 days. The stages according to the route description: Blumberg–Schaffhausen (about 27 km), Schaffhausen–Rheinau (about 12 km), Rheinau–Winterthur (about 28 km), Winterthur–Pfäffikon (about 23 km), and Pfäffikon–Rapperswil (about 24 km). The highest point is about 919 meters.

The Rhine, the Rhine Falls, and Ritterhaus—the highlights

The route connects several notable landmarks: at the start, the Rhine Falls and the picturesque Rheinau Monastery Island on the Rhine; at the end, the Ritterhaus Bubikon in the Zurich Oberland—a former commandery of the Order of St. John. In Rapperswil, visitors are drawn to the old town, the castle with its keep, and the view across the lake embankment.

• Plan some time during the Schaffhausen–Rheinau leg for Rhine Falls and Rheinau Monastery Island ein.
• In the Bubikon Knight's House It's worth stopping in Rapperswil.

Highlights Along the Way

• Schaffhausen – Old Town on the Rhine, border crossing into Switzerland.
• Rhine Falls and the Rheinau Monastery Island in the Rhine.
• Winterthur – A city in the Zurich Mittelland.
• Bubikon Knight's House – Former commandery of the Order of St. John in the Zurich Oberland.
• Rapperswil – Old Town, castle, and castle tower on the upper part of Lake Zurich.

How Pilgrims Find Their Way onto This Path

As the Thurgau Monastery Trail This route begins in Blumberg on the edge of the Black Forest—the two regions are like siblings with different personalities: here, the Rhine Falls and cities; there, monasteries and rolling hills.

At Lake Zurich, the trail connects to the Via Jacobi To: The route takes you across the lake and through Rapperswil up to Einsiedeln, the major hub for all branches of Eastern Switzerland.

Continue the pilgrimage?

The Schaffhausen-Zurich Trail ends in Rapperswil—an important hub on the Swiss Way of St. James. Here it meets the main route Via Jacobi (Konstanz/Rorschach → Geneva), which continues toward Geneva via the pilgrimage hub of Einsiedeln and from there via the Via Gebennensis which borders France.

Preparation & Practical Information

The best time to hike is from spring through fall. Accommodations include guesthouses, inns, and pilgrim lodgings—a pilgrim’s passport is useful for collecting stamps and securing lodging. The trail is marked as the Via Jacobi in Switzerland with the number 4.

What the journey will cost you

Switzerland is expensive. Roughly estimate 60–100 € per day for lodging and meals; basic accommodations and self-catering will help keep costs down.

Getting There

The starting point is Blumberg in the Black Forest; the destination, Rapperswil-Jona, is located on Lake Zurich and is easily accessible via the Swiss rail network.

• Getting to Blumberg: via the German rail network (Black Forest-Baar region).
• Return trip from Rapperswil: across the Swiss rail network. Good morning– Schedule and tickets.

Path Carrier

The Swiss Ways of St. James are organized by the association The Way of St. James in Switzerland – Compostelle Suisse manages (known as “jakobsweg.ch” until 2026, renamed following the merger with “Les Amis”). The association marks and maintains the trails, trains pilgrim guides, and publishes trail brochures and the pilgrim passport.