Rhine Cycle Path Wallbach–Bad Säckingen

The Rhine between Wallbach and Bad Säckingen is one of the quieter stretches of the great river, and the cycle route that follows it is a gentle outing of a few hours. Wallbach is a small village in the Swiss canton of Aargau, on the south bank of the Rhine, a short distance upstream from Rheinfelden. Bad Säckingen is a spa town on the German side, and the two places are linked by a famous covered wooden bridge. The route is part of the Rhine cycle route, which in Switzerland is signposted as national cycle route 2 and which forms the Swiss section of the long-distance EuroVelo 15, running from the source of the Rhine in the Alps to the North Sea.

The ride is mostly flat and follows the riverbank or quiet roads close to it, with views of the Rhine, wooded slopes and small villages. This section of the Rhine is a high Rhine, meaning that the river here is still strong and fast, with a green or blue colour and, in places, stretches of rapids. The landscape is a mix of fields, forest and riverside meadows, and the route passes stone houses, orchards and small harbours. Because the gradients are gentle, it suits families, casual cyclists and electric bike users, and the surfaces are mostly paved or well-packed.

The highlight for many riders is the bridge at Bad Säckingen, which crosses the river to the Swiss village of Stein. It is a wooden covered bridge with a long timber roof, and it is usually described as the longest wooden covered bridge in Europe, at more than two hundred metres. It has stood in various forms for centuries, with repairs and reconstruction after floods and wars, and it is open to pedestrians and cyclists. Walking or cycling across it takes a few minutes, and the view from inside the wooden structure, with the river flowing below, is one of the memorable moments of the route.

Bad Säckingen itself is worth a stop. The old town has narrow streets, a baroque minster dedicated to Saint Fridolin, the Irish missionary credited with bringing Christianity to this area, and a castle with a park. The town is associated with a nineteenth-century verse tale, The Trumpeter of Säckingen, which made it famous in Germany, and a statue and local references recall the story. Cafés and restaurants offer a place to rest, and the spa facilities draw visitors who prefer a different kind of relaxation.

Because the route crosses the border, carry a passport or identity card, and check the rules for crossing, which can change. The path is free and open year-round, though the best conditions are from spring to autumn, and rain can make some stretches muddy. Bring water, a repair kit and a lock, and check train connections for the return, as the area is served by regional railways on both sides. The ride suits anyone who wants a relaxed day on the river, and it can be extended in either direction along the Rhine.