Reiat: Hills, Nature and History

The Reiat district is in the canton of Schaffhausen and covers 39.33 km². Its elevation ranges from 391 to 705 metres above sea level. The plateau stretches northeast of the city of Schaffhausen, adjoining rolling hills that slope towards the Biber. Further across Reiat, the Biber and the Fulach rivers flow.

Hiking, Cycling and Traces of the Past

The Reiat Trail is an easy, 19-kilometre circular hike through meadows, fields, vineyards and mixed woodland. The Hüttenleben bus stop in Thayngen is recommended as a starting point. From the trail, views extend across the Hegau region of Germany, with its extinct volcanoes, and on the Swiss side as far as the Alps.

For a cycling trip, the 30-kilometre Reiat Route offers a different kind of tour: it includes 500 metres of elevation gain and requires a moderate level of fitness. The route passes through typical Swiss villages with historic centres and well-preserved half-timbered houses. The two routes can therefore be distinguished by their length, mode of transport and level of difficulty.

The Stone Age Trail starts at the Kesslerloch archaeological site, west of Thayngen railway station. A short loop is 8.4 kilometres long and takes about 2 hours and 7 minutes. One route on the Stone Age Trail passes five archaeological sites and two geological stations. The Biberweg in Thayngen is interactive and is designed for families, schoolchildren of all ages and nature lovers. Its information panels offer easy-to-understand insights into the beaver's way of life.

A section with a history of border smuggling is also part of today's hiking network: the Schmugglergraben, on the former border trail between Hofen and Sottenegg above Altdorf, is now part of the hiking trail network.

Rolling Hills and Protected Habitats

Morgetshofsee is a nature reserve of national importance and a kettle lake dating from the Würm glaciation. It is also a breeding site for amphibians, with eight species recorded there. The lake also provides a habitat for numerous endangered animals and plants.

The Schliffenhalde brings together wetlands, hedgerows, dry habitats and natural meadows; it is also home to rare animal and plant species. Despite Reiat's northerly geographical location, vines thrive here. The northernmost vineyard in Switzerland is located here.

From the Stone Age to Industrial History

Kesslerloch is one of Europe's most important Late Glacial archaeological sites. The cave covers almost 200 m² and is divided by a rock pillar. Its traces of settlement belong to the Upper Palaeolithic and the Magdalenian culture; they date from between 14,000 and 12,000 BC. Kesslerloch is about a ten-minute walk from Thayngen railway station. There are several barbecue sites and a toilet on site.

The settlement remains at Thayngen-Weier illustrate a different prehistoric period: dated timbers place them between 3800 and 3600 BC and associate them with the Pfyn culture.

Hofen brickworks was founded in 1834. Production of bricks, clay pipes and roof tiles ended there in 1917, after the raw material reserves were depleted. The Bibern Typewriter Museum offers a glimpse into a very different collection: it displays around 470 machines, most of which visitors can try out.

In Lohn, the medieval village church of St Martin is defined by its distinctive Käsbissen tower and a colourful chancel window. It is one of five churches in the Schaffhausen countryside that still retain significant pre-Reformation building fabric. The Sternen building was first mentioned as an inn in 1648.

Trails and Regional History near Dörflingen

Dörflingen offers hiking trails with far-reaching views as far as the Alps. A walk to the Seeli leads to an Ice Age pond near Dörflingen. The Celtic Trail is signposted from Dörflingen schoolhouse.

The name Reiat also has a long history: originally, it was a field name for an area near Büttenhardt. It was first mentioned in 1411; later, Reiat referred to the plateau and the district.

Discover more destinations: Thayngen, Schleitheim, Schaffhausen, Stein, Oberklettgau, Unterklettgau.

Back to the regional travel overview: Schaffhausen.