Laufenburg on the Rhine: Old Town and Culture

Laufenburg is a town in the Swiss canton of Aargau, on the south side of the High Rhine. Its old town stretches across both sides of the Rhine and offers historic charm and colourful houses. The Laufen Bridge connects the two old towns and is open to pedestrians and cyclists; check the current access conditions before your trip. If you are looking for a hotel in Laufenburg, you can plan your stay around the town’s themes: its castle and history, art, events or riverside routes.

Old Town, Castle and Geology

Laufenburg Castle was first mentioned in 1207. Today, only the tower remains of the castle ruins. The ruins are freely accessible at all times; different opening conditions may apply to the tower. Schlossberg is a public recreational area and is now freely accessible to everyone. Schlossberg is also geologically remarkable: together with the outcrops on the Rhine bank below the town on this side of the river, it forms the largest occurrence of Black Forest crystalline rock.

Trails and Activities

The Laufenburg Nature Trail is a 12.5-kilometre cross-border hiking trail. It passes through peaceful natural landscapes and wooded areas, along the Rhine and through both old towns. The Laufenburg Jubilee Trail is a 20-kilometre cross-border hiking and cycling route through the historic old towns and along the Rhine to the Dreispitz nature paradise in Albbruck and back to Laufenburg. The two routes therefore differ in length and use: the Nature Trail is designated for hiking, while the Jubilee Trail is also a cycling route. Check trail conditions before setting out, and also check the signage on the Jubilee Trail. An interactive discovery trail provides information about Laufenburg’s geology, nature and wildlife, letting you learn about the landscape through its natural and geological features.

Canoe trips on the Rhine also pass through the heart of the two historic old towns. If you are planning a trip, check the provider’s information in advance.

Art, Town History and Festivals

The Rehmann Museum presents two temporary exhibitions of contemporary three-dimensional art each year. The permanent exhibition and the spacious, idyllic sculpture garden above the Rhine showcase works by artist Erwin Rehmann. The specific exhibition programme may change. Switzerland’s first language museum presents dialects, languages of the world, the history of the German language and reading in an interactive format.

The theatrical guided tour “Count Hans IV” leads through Laufenburg’s lanes and conveys what life was like in the Middle Ages through anecdotes and insights. Check the dates before adding the tour to your itinerary.

Markets and the Annual Calendar

The Laufenburg Old Town Market offers arts and crafts, delicacies from small-scale producers, locally made products and seasonal food. The goods come predominantly from regional producers and farms. Check the market dates before your trip if you plan to visit.

The hela has been held on the second weekend in October every year for more than 75 years; check the current event dates for your travel period. Since the Narro-Alt-Fischerzunft guild was founded in 1386, Laufenburg’s cross-border Städtle Fasnacht has been part of the Swabian-Alemannic carnival tradition. Checking the relevant programme can help if you are planning your stay around the events.

Discover more destinations: Kaisten, Ueken, Wölflinswil, Frick, Oberhofen

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