Hohenklingen Castle

Hohenklingen Castle sits on a narrow Nagelfluh ridge nearly 200 metres above the medieval town of Stein am Rhein in the canton of Schaffhausen, dating back to 1225. A textbook spur castle, it ranks as a Swiss cultural heritage site of national importance (Class A) and is one of the best-preserved hilltop fortifications in northern Switzerland. Originally built by the Lords of Klingen to command the surrounding Rhine region, the castle changed hands repeatedly over the centuries before being converted into a restaurant. The forested climb from the old town takes roughly 30 minutes and opens onto a wide panorama across the Hochrhein, Lake Constance's Untersee, and the surrounding hills. Visitors can stop for a meal in the castle's restaurant, seated within the actual medieval walls.