The Vicarious Traveller: May 2008

Rheinfalls in Switzerland

The largest waterfall in Continental Europe, the Rheinfalls are 23m in height, 150m wide, and were formed 14,000 to 17,000 years ago during the last ice age.

In the winter the average water flow is 250m³/s, while in the summer, the average water flow is 600 m³/s. The lowest recorded flow is 95m³/s and the highest 1250m³/s.

From Rheinfalls

By comparison the largest in Europe is Gulfoss in Iceland, which in two stages (11m and 21m) falls 32m, with an average of 140 m³/s water in the summertime and 80m³/s in the wintertime. The highest flood measured was 2000 m³/s during a glacial burst.

A day out there is another great value excursion from Zurich (remember Uetliberg). A family of 4 was less than CHF70.-. To get there on the train from Zurich, you need to go to Winterthur and change to the train to Schloss Laufen (not Schaffhausen). It will take about 1 hour. You can go to Schaffhausen, but you have to get a bus, while Schloss Laufen is right by the falls.

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From Rheinfalls

Once there you can explore the area, take a boat ride right up to the water, or get the red boat and climb to the top of the middle of the falls. There are the usual selection of local amenities.

According to world-waterfalls.com, the Rheinfalls are the 23rd largest by volume of water, the largest being the Livingstone Falls on the Congo at about 35,000m³/s. It could be argues that the Inga Falls are greater by volume, but you could also argue that they are really rapids with no actual waterfall.

Robin Hood

Nice to see the nice fellow in green out and about.

Umm thats Robin Hood from Nottingham not the Hulk!

Uetliberg - the best value excursion in Zurich?

If you already have a zone 10 tageswahlkarte, which being in Zurich you mostly likely do, then you can get to Uetliberg for only CHF 7.80 (adult return price) extra ie the journey from the edge of zone 10 to Uetliberg and back. The line, or Uetlibergbahn (look for S10 on the maps) has the steepest incline of any normal adhesion line in Europe, with a gradient of 7.5%.

From Zurich

A very poorly (machine?) translated history is here.

The journey takes 20 or so minutes and winds its way to 871m above seal level. From the station its about a 10 minute walk to the top, where you can climb a little further up a radio tower - no additional charge.

From Zurich

Once at the top you get panoramic views of most of the Zurichsee (if it a clear day) and you may see as far as the Bernese Alps. After you've taken in the views have either takeaway style (hotdog and fries CHF 11.-) or go to the restaurant for something more formal.

The Uetliberg itself is a maze of trails for hiking and other activities such as mountain biking.

Trains depart from the station at .07 and .37 past the hour.