Schleitheim: Roman History and Randen Trails

Schleitheim combines Roman traces and Anabaptist history with trails into the Randen landscape. In the village centre, half-timbered houses and the village stream shape the scene; the stream flows right through the settlement. In summer, geraniums adorn the water, and at Advent, Christmas trees do. Schleitheim lies directly on the Swiss border with Germany. The wider surrounding area also features diverse landscapes with extensive forests, the Randen hills, the renaturalised Wutach and wetlands.

Iuliomagus and the Roman archaeological sites

The small Roman town of Iuliomagus was established around the middle of the 1st century AD on the road from the legionary camp at Windisch to the fort town of Hüfingen in the Danube source region. Schleitheim was already inhabited in Roman times and bore this name then. The public baths and thermal baths of Iuliomagus were excavated and partly preserved. The most important Roman archaeological sites along the Schleitheim Roman Trail are marked with information boards. You can visit individual places or put together a circular route of your choice.

The thermal baths museum is open year-round, wheelchair accessible and suitable for visits by children and school classes. Check access details before your visit. Anyone interested in the history of the Schleitheim Stones can also arrange a guided excursion. It leads through the village, up to Staufenberg and into Lachenbruch, and takes around three and a half hours. Check the excursion’s availability in advance.

Anabaptist history in the village and along the trail

The history of Schleitheim Church dates back to around the year 600. It is considered the oldest church in the canton of Schaffhausen north of the Rhine. Schleitheim is also associated with the drafting of the seven articles of the Schleitheim Confession. In the Museum Schleitheimertal, an Anabaptist room displays an original 16th-century print of the Schleitheim Articles.

The Schleitheim section of the Anabaptist Trail leads from Zelgli down through Grund to Chälle, a meeting place for the Anabaptists, and continues to the Anabaptist room in the museum at Kirchgasse 8. When the ground is dry, the trail is easy to walk, though somewhat steep in places. The bridle path offers a flatter alternative; a horse-drawn wagon ride is also available. Check trail conditions and transport options locally.

The Museum Schleitheimertal is open on the first Sunday of each month from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Visits outside regular opening hours and guided tours are available on request. This allows you to plan a museum visit and a walk to the historic sites around your own schedule.

Hiking and cycling on the Randen

A circular hike from Schleitheim passes the gypsum museum and follows the renaturalised Wutach. At the gypsum museum, you can follow the route taken by former gypsum miners around 200 metres into the mountain. A small lake blocks the way beyond; the water and air temperature in the tunnels is around 10°C in both summer and winter. Check the access conditions before your visit. For a different hike, the Randen Trail starts at the post office in Schleitheim, climbs over Staufenberg and follows the edge of the forest via Birbistel to Beggingen.

The Schleitheim Randen Tower has stood on the Randen since 1909. Climb more than 100 steps for views over the Black Forest and the Hegau; in foehn conditions, the view reaches as far as the Alps. The tower is the highlight of the Randen Tour and marks the highest point in the Schaffhausen Regional Nature Park. The cycling route is challenging, 53.5 kilometres long and includes 770 metres of ascent. Its highest point is at an elevation of 919 metres. Check the latest route details and conditions before setting off.

More things to do around Schleitheim

The Tar-da-da Trail starts in Schleitheim and enters the forest after around 500 metres. There are opportunities to join in at 13 stations. Facilities at the Badi Schleitheim outdoor swimming pool include a 50-metre swimming pool, a learner pool, a paddling pool, a children’s slide and a 3.0-metre diving board. There are also table tennis, volleyball and a climbing wall. The facilities on offer may vary seasonally.

For travel by public transport, SHBus route 21 runs from Schaffhausen to the request stop Schleitheim-Iuliomagus. Check the timetable before departure. You can tailor your itinerary to your interests: the Roman Trail and thermal baths museum lead to the Roman archaeological sites, the Anabaptist Trail connects history with the village, and the Randen routes offer different ways to explore on foot or by bike.

Discover more destinations: Beggingen, Oberklettgau, Reiat, Stein, Unterklettgau, Schaffhausen.

Go to the main travel overview: Schaffhausen.