Laufenburg on the Rhine: Bridges, Trails and Culture

Laufenburg lies on the Rhine; on the opposite bank is the German town of Laufenburg (Baden). Two bridges connect the two towns. One of them, the Laufen Bridge, was designed by Swiss engineer Robert Maillart; it is considered an important example of early modern bridge construction and is now open to pedestrians and cyclists. Exploring the area on foot or by bike, you will encounter a structure that serves both as a river crossing and as a remarkable work of architecture.

The Rhine, Old Towns and Trails

Several cross-border trails offer different experiences. The nature trail is 12.5 kilometres long in its entirety. There is also a 4.5-kilometre circular route on the German side and an 8-kilometre route on the Swiss side. The trail passes through tranquil natural landscapes and woodland, along the Rhine and through both old towns. Hikers travelling upstream or downstream along the Rhine encounter only gentle ascents and descents around Laufenburg.

The Laufenburg Jubilee Trail is a 20-kilometre circular route for hikers and cyclists. It passes through the historic old towns, follows the Rhine to the Dreispitz nature reserve in Albbruck, and then returns to Laufenburg. Another cross-border option is the Laufenburg ACHT: this adventure trail between the German and Swiss towns of Laufenburg combines interactive stations with crossings of the Rhine. When planning your trip, you can choose between a hiking route with a specified distance, a longer circular tour and a trail with stops along the way.

You can also experience the river landscape on the water: canoe trips on the Rhine pass through the two historic old towns. Beavers shape the riverside vegetation; with a little luck, you may spot grey herons and kingfishers in the riverside undergrowth. For cyclists, the E-Bike Round Tour with Treats from Laufenburg leads through the natural landscapes of Jurapark Aargau, forests and vineyards, as well as to viewpoints. The tour includes culinary breaks at five food and drink establishments.

Culture and Stories from Laufenburg

The Rehmann Museum presents two temporary exhibitions of contemporary three-dimensional art each year. At the Sprachpanorama, exhibitions covering 250 square metres explore dialects, languages of the world, the history of the German language and reading. Entertaining guided tours are available for groups, and workshops are offered for lower and upper secondary school classes.

The history of the town also includes Laufenburg Castle ruins and traces of the Habsburgs. The ruins were once the ancestral seat of the Counts of Habsburg-Laufenburg; guided tours can be booked through Jurapark Aargau. The “The Habsburgs” tour explores traces of the past, from magnificent castles to hidden historical details. If you prefer to combine stories of the town with a nighttime walk, you can choose the tour with the Laufenburg night watchman: it visits places normally accessible only to night watchmen and recounts old legends and stories from the town.

Market, Public Holiday and Regional Excursions

The Old Town Market offers fine crafts, delicacies from small-scale producers, locally made products and seasonal foods. Most vendors are regional producers and farms. Since seasonal foods are part of the market’s offerings, a visit fits especially well into your plans if you are interested in regional produce.

On 1 August, celebrations for Swiss National Day take place at Laufenplatz. They include a procession through the old town with lanterns, torches and lamps. It starts at 9:15 pm, lasts about 30 to 45 minutes and is accompanied by the Laufenburg night watchman. If you are planning your trip around this date, check the latest event information in advance.

The Fricktal region also offers hiking routes that reveal a different perspective on the landscape. The 60-kilometre Fricktal Höhenweg crosses striking ridges in the Jura landscape. According to the route description, it is also suitable for families with children. In many places, it passes through orchards and is particularly appealing when they blossom in spring. This regional trail is another option alongside the cross-border routes along the Rhine.

For train travel, Laufenburg Aargau in Switzerland is one option, as are Laufenburg (Baden) and Laufenburg (Baden) Ost in Germany. Laufenburg CH outdoor swimming pool is about 200 metres from the Laufenburg Regionalspital bus stop and is also a short walk from the train station.

Discover more destinations: Oberhofen, Laufenburg, Wölflinswil, Frick, Ueken, Kaisten, Brugg, Baden.

Return to the main travel overview: Aargau.