The Tour de Suisse in
Neuhausen am rheinfall
Europe’s largest waterfall presents itself in an imposing, almost majestic way on the journey on the Rhine Cycle Route EV15. This long-distance cycle route along the Rhine runs over 1,500 km and crosses five countries from its source in the Swiss Alps, along the Lake Constance to its mouth in Rotterdam. A stop in front of the spectacular scenery of the Rhine Falls is part of the itinerarys and offers the viewers a natural spectacle with different facets every day.
Neuhausen am Rheinfall is located directly above the nature reserve and local recreation area of the Rhine Falls. The city in the canton of Schaffhausen has 11,250 inhabitants and looks back on a great industrial history and touristic past.
Two factors contributed decisively to the industrial and touristic development of Neuhausen am Rheinfall; on one hand the connection to the railway network in the middle of the 19th century, on the other hand the natural spectacle of the Rhine Falls which also added the favourable possibility to use hydropower. The latter led to the settlement of two companies in Neuhausen am Rheinfall, which developed into major industries: the Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft Neuhausen (SIG) in 1853 and the Aluminium-Industrie-Aktiengesellschaft Neuhausen (AIAG) in 1888.
From the Galgenbuck vantage point – a popular playground and recreation area – these industrial witnesses are still visible today in form of two industrial sites, SIG Areal and Rhytech Areal. The transformation of the two sites into open and mixed habitats has made a significant contribution to the urban development of Neuhausen am Rheinfall. Two lively, trendy neighborhoods with urban charm have been created in the middle of the municipal area, inviting people to live, work and meet up. The city center has also been steadily developed. In less than 10 years, 700 new modern apartments have been built in the town.
Culturally, the Trottentheater and its program are well known beyond the region. The art of small-scale theater delights audiences in the oldest building in Neuhausen am Rheinfall, the Trotte, built in 1556. With the Smilestones miniature world, the Rhyality Immersive Art Hall and the Adventure Park, the largest rope park in Switzerland, new cultural and leisure activities have been created at the Rhine Falls.
The Rhine Falls attract 1.5 million tourists from all over the world every year. A special experience is the Rhine Falls fireworks “Fire on the Rocks” on the 31st of July as an opening act of the national holiday in Switzerland.
The Tour de Suisse was already visited Neuhausen am Rheinfall in 2021 for the start of the second stage, unfortunately under Covid conditions. Neuhausen am Rheinfall is all the more delighted to welcome the peloton with the world’s cycling elite once again in 2025 in the center of the city as the finish of the 6th stage and the start of the 7th stage. The City will also celebrate a two-day centre festival.
Travel tip for a day trip on the Rhine Cycle Route EV15 :
Constance – Rhine Falls: 52 km
Basel – Rhine Falls: 105 km
Bregenz – Rhine Falls: 115 km
Impressions
