In a place where the water whispers stories and the hills watch over the landscape like silent sentinels, lies a magical spot called Tössegg. Here, in the northernmost tip of the canton of Zurich, where the wild Töss River flows into the mighty embrace of the Rhine, not only rivers merge – cantons, municipalities, and eras also converge in a harmonious rendezvous.
Where rivers merge - Tössegg
Tössegg, part of the municipality of Freienstein-Teufen, lies at a mere 346 meters above sea level and marks the prominent point where the Rhine—until then flowing from the northeast—changes its direction to the northwest. A geographical gesture, almost as if the river were reconsidering its purpose here.
Surrounded by the gently rolling hills of Irchel, Dättenberg, and Rhinsberg, this place is a little paradise for those seeking authenticity. The air here smells of damp forest floor and river mist, of barbecue fires and a thirst for adventure. Tössegg isn't a place you simply visit—it's a place you experience.
The barbecue areas along the riverbank invite you to spend long afternoons in the shade of ancient trees. A charming and unpretentious restaurant serves hikers, cyclists, and river poets with simple fare and a genuine smile. Those who venture out onto the water can take a boat upstream to the roaring Rhine Falls – a contrast of idyll and natural power that shouldn't be missed.
And there's more: An old Roman watchtower towers southeast above the Tössegg, long since embraced by ivy and moss, but its history echoes in the silence. The Romans evidently already knew that this place was more than just a geographical footnote.
The WWF Beaver Trail, which leads from Tössegg to Rüdlingen, offers a truly unique experience. Those who hike with open eyes will discover traces of these furry landscape architects – gnawed tree trunks, hidden castles. It's a hike full of quiet wonders that's perfect for combining with a leisurely boat ride.
And then there's the small ferry that shuttles between the banks—like a thread that holds the fabric of this region together. It connects not only the two sides of the Rhine, but also people, stories, and sometimes even life decisions.
The Tössegg isn't a loud place. It whispers. Those who listen will be rewarded – with peace, with a broad view, with the feeling of being in a place where everything is in harmony: river, land, people, and time.
Eglisau – A river jewel between vines and history
Sometimes it's not the big cities that win hearts, but the small ones – those that don't impose themselves, but rather invite. Eglisau is such a place: a small town that's more like a poetic interjection than an urban exclamation mark. Located in the Bülach district, in the Zurich lowlands, where the Rhine still flows peacefully and dreamily through the landscape, Eglisau unfolds its very own magic.
The Rhine isn't just a river here. It's a lifeline, a mirror of history, a bearer of memories. It glides majestically beneath the striking railway bridge, which stands like a stone portal between past and present. Eglisau has developed around this blue ribbon, which wraps around the town like a delicate silk scarf.
The small town itself—or, as they call it in local dialect, Eglisau—seems to have stepped straight out of a painting. The alleys are narrow and cobbled, the houses old and proud, painted in warm colors, with shutters that whisper stories. You can sense that life has been lived here, and life is lived here—at a pace that has nothing to do with hecticness.
High above the Rhine, sun-drenched vineyards nestle into the hills. They are the green backbone of the region, and in autumn, when the grapes hang plump and heavy on the vines, the air smells of sweetness and anticipation. Eglisau wine isn't a mass-produced product—it's a character. It speaks of the soil, the light, and the diligence of the winemakers. And it speaks of celebrations, of long tables where people gather and lose track of time.
But Eglisau is more than just picturesque. The town is vibrant. Cafés invite you to linger, small shops invite you to browse, and those who drift along the Rhine—whether in a canoe, a boat, or on one of the leisurely cruises—see the small country town from a perspective that is almost awe-inspiring. From here, Eglisau appears like a crown of red roofs and green vines, carried by the water.
The proximity to the German border also gives Eglisau a cosmopolitan feel. You can sense the permeability of cultures, the constant comings and goings, without ever losing its center. It remains: quiet, rooted, charming.
Tip: If you want to experience Eglisau, you should let yourself go. A stroll through the old town, a glass of wine on the riverbank, a quick detour to the vineyards above – and perhaps a sunset that turns the water golden. Then you'll understand why this small town is writing the great history of the Rhine – with a quiet voice, but an unmistakable signature.
Access
The Tössegg is a place with open doors – freely accessible to anyone who wants to escape everyday life and unwind by the water. During the warmer months of the year, the boats and the small ferry glide across the Rhine at regular intervals, as if they were part of an ancient summer rhythm.
A particularly charming excursion: Take a leisurely boat ride to Eglisau—past green shores, shimmering water, and enchanted meadows—and then hike through forests, vineyards, and quiet paths back to Tössegg. A combination of gentle exercise and scenic poetry, perfect for a day that will be remembered for a long time.
