Stühlingen, which can look back on over 750 years of history, is well worth a visit with its many historic buildings, winding alleyways and location below Hohenlupfen Castle. The town was the starting point of the first German revolution, the Peasants' War of 1524/25 in the wake of the Reformation and the influence of the Swiss reformer Zwingli, which was particularly strong on the Upper Rhine.
On leaving Stühlingen, we pass the border crossing to Switzerland and continue on to Schleitheim in the canton of Schaffhausen, which emerged from the Roman street village of Juliomagnus on the Neckar - Alb - Aare Roman road. The remains of Roman baths can still be seen today on the southern outskirts of Schleitheim, slightly off the eastern route.
We leave Schleitheim behind us and then tackle another tough ascent of 300 metres to the almost 900m high Schleitheimer Randen, one of the northernmost mountains in Switzerland and one of the highest points on the entire Eastern Way. Up there we find ourselves on the Randen, a plateau-like mountain range, geologically a link between the Swiss Jura and the Swabian Alb. However, the Schleitheim Randenturm tower makes up for this with a fantastic view. It was built on the ruins of the Randenburg castle from the 12th century. The Schlossranden forest restaurant with its large garden also offers refreshments, at least at weekends.
We continue through an extensive wooded area towards Schaffhausen, reaching the outskirts of the village at Sommerwies. Shortly afterwards, the east path ends abruptly at the Neubrunn bus stop. From there it is a 30-minute walk to the centre of Schaffhausen and the railway station.
Schaffhausen has an old town centre worth seeing with many beautiful town houses. The circular Munot fortress has towered over the town since the 16th century. Also worth a visit is the Museum zu Allerheiligen, which presents archaeology, history, art and natural history under one roof. We also recommend a visit to the IWC watch museum.
A detour to the Rhine Falls is possible on foot or by bus and is well worthwhile.
The stage has a strenuous ascent to the Schlossranden, where 300 metres in altitude have to be overcome practically in the fall line. The rest of the stage is pleasantly manageable. The stage runs almost entirely through Swiss territory. So don't forget your identity papers!
