Dachsen

A trip to Dachsen can focus on several themes: the Rhine Falls and river landscape, swimming, walking routes and historic sites. Dachsen is a municipality in the Andelfingen district of the canton of Zurich, Switzerland. The village lies between Cholfirst and the Rhine, with the Rhine Falls close by. If you are looking for a hotel in Dachsen, you can plan your stay around the theme that matters most to you.

Getting there and walking routes

The S12 runs directly from Zürich HB to the “Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall” stop. Check the current timetable before departure. A section of the ViaRhenana passes the Rheinau power station and the village of Dachsen, while the circular route around the Rhine Falls is accessible by wheelchair or pushchair. The routes therefore differ in their course and accessibility: the ViaRhenana passes the power station and village, while wheelchair and pushchair access is relevant on the circular route.

Swimming in Dachsen

Badi Dachsen, in Bachdelle, is an 11-minute walk from Dachsen railway station. It includes a river bathing area on the Rhine as well as additional swimming and paddling pools. A two-metre diving platform leads into the Rhine. The walking time gives you a concrete timeframe for planning a visit. The swimming options also differ: you can choose between the river bathing area, the additional pools and the diving platform into the Rhine.

The castle and historic sites

Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall in Dachsen is a medieval castle built on a rocky outcrop directly beside the Rhine Falls. The Historama in the castle presents the castle’s history of more than a thousand years. The Känzeli viewing platform is located directly above the roaring Rhine Falls and can be reached via Schloss Laufen. These features offer different points of interest: the castle is a medieval stronghold on a rocky outcrop, the Historama presents its history, and the Känzeli offers views from above the waterfall.

The Reformed chapel (Chilchli) in Dachsen is one of many branch churches of the parish church of St. Hilarius in Laufen. This relationship places the Chilchli within the church’s parish structure. A bell bearing the year 1553 hangs in its tower. The history of the Zehntechäller also dates back to the 12th century. The two historical references differ: the bell bears a specific year, while the history of the Zehntechäller dates back to a particular century.

Landscape between the Rhine and the hillside

Dachsen is in the wider Zurich Wine Country region. Here, the Rhine has carved deep into a glacial gravel plain. Grapes for Hübscher Weine ripen on around 2 hectares on Dachsen’s south-facing slope. This juxtaposes the river landscape shaped by geology with a specific hillside area where grapes are grown.

Discover more destinations: Andelfingen, Oberstammheim, Trüllikon, Berg am Irchel, Humlikon, Dorf, Rheinau, Feuerthalen

Back to the main travel overview: Andelfingen.