After the Neujahrsmarathon Zürich: Schaffhausen and the Rhine Falls

The Route: Zürich → Rhine Falls → Schaffhausen → Zürich Airport Logistics: Train from Zürich HB to Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall, about 52 minutes, then on to Schaffhausen. One night, then back to Zürich. Marathon Month: January Duration: 1 night

Zürich HB ──(about 52 mins)──> Schloss Laufen / Rhine Falls ──(train)──> Schaffhausen
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Zürich Airport (ZRH) ◄──(train via Zürich HB, check sbb.ch)───────────────┘

The Neujahrsmarathon Zürich runs through the first night of the year, and the finish closes at 05:00 on 1 January. The Rhine Falls are a gentle second day: a railway station, a footpath and a roaring river, with no hills that matter.

January in Schaffhausen: the falls run all year, and winter water levels are lower than in the snowmelt months. The cold keeps crowds away, and the falls are lit blue after dark. Schloss Laufen keeps winter hours of 10:00 to 16:00, so plan the viewpoint before the light goes. Public holidays on 1 and 2 January reduce services and opening hours, so check the timetable and each venue.

Night one: Schaffhausen

Trains from Zürich HB reach Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall in about 52 minutes. Check departures at sbb.ch. The Rhine Falls are 150 m wide and described by the local tourism office as Europe's largest waterfall. A footpath leads from Schloss Laufen down to the Fischetz platform, near the water. The path includes steps and slopes, so take it slowly after a marathon, and use the railing in cold weather, when it can be wet or icy.

From the falls, a short train ride leads upriver to Schaffhausen, a town with an old centre of painted facades and projecting oriel windows. The Munot fortress above the town involves a climb, so leave it for a fresher day. Choose a hotel in or near the old town, which is compact and walkable, and compare rates on a booking site, since the town is small.

For food, Schaffhausen's local dish is the Bölletünne, an onion tart. Book a table for a New Year's night, when some restaurants close.

Getting home

Take the train back to Zürich HB, and change for Zürich Airport (ZRH) on the airport line. Check the holiday timetable at sbb.ch the day before, and allow a buffer for platform changes with luggage.