Plan for Day 4: Brugg to Basel: 53.4 miles

Day 4: Brugg to Basel (map included at the end)

This day is a bit of a transition. In the morning, I continue down the final stretch of the Aare to Koblenz and the Aare-Rhine confluence. Continuing down the Rhine, I almost immediately pass a huge nuclear power plant right on the river. Past that, the day continues as a mix of rural and industrial down into Basel.

There are two tourist spots near the end of the day that I'll want to hit. First is the Feldschlossen Brewery in Rheinfelden. Feldschlossen is sort of the national beer for Switzerland and the brewery is in a large castle. Definitely worth a stop. The second spot is Augusta Raurica, an old roman ruin just a bit further down the river.

Once I get into Basel, I'll be staying at the Hotel Spalentor right in the downtown area. The plan will be to get into Basel in the early to mid afternoon and have plenty of time to wander back and forth across the river and check out the old city and the cathedral.

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*) From the train station make your way north towards the old bridge
over the river. Cross the river and turn right on the main street on
the far side.

*) Take the right fork at a Y intersection and continue along the left
bank of the river. Continue on the road as it moves slightly inland.
Stay right at the next Y intersection near a sports complex.

*) Stay on this road as the river curves to the north. When you road
that just came over a bridge, turn left on the road, which then turns
to the north.

*) After a short distance, turn right onto a path by the river.

*) Stay on the path for a short distance before merging back onto the
road.

*) Stay on the road until you hit an intersection where the road
crosses a bridge to the right. Turn left on the road.

*) Stay on the road as it moves inland, through a small town, and then
back to the river. After a little bit, the river will turn left to
the NW and the road will as well. Right at the point where the road
starts moving to the left, turn forward right onto a side road towards
the river.

*) When the road reaches a dam/lock over the river, turn left onto a
path instead of crossing over.

*) Stay on the path for several miles until you hit a bridge crossing
over to the town of Dottingen. Cross over the bridge and make an
immediate left onto the right bank.

*) Stay on the path until you hit the next dam/lock. Turn right
(inland) on the road.

*) Take the first left onto the main road.

*) After passing the Koblenz train station, take a left over the Aare.
Turn right on the first street after the bridge.

*) Turn right, towards the river, on the first road/path.

*) Follow the path to the river and turn left, following the left bank
of the Rhine.

*) Stay as close as possible to the left bank for several miles. When
you hit the bridge in the town of Laufenburg, cross over and make an
immediate left along the right bank.

*) Move left up to the main road (Highway 34). Continue on this for a
short distance. The road will move slightly away from the river and
then slightly back. As it is moving back, take the first forward left
towards the river. Cross over the tracks and continue right along the
right bank.

*) Continue along the right bank for several miles until the river
turns south in the town of Bad Sackingen. Cross over on the bridge
and make an immediate right along the left bank.

*) Stay as close to the left bank as possible for the next several
miles. As the river turns north at one point, the trail will
disappear and you'll be forced to move inland. Stay on the main road.
Once you start entering the town of Rhinefelden, turn right towards
the river.

*) Stay as close to the left bank as possible through Rhinefelden and
on into Basel. As you get closer to Basel, stay on the main road and
work your way towards the Cathedral or the Spalentor Gate. The hotel
is near the gate.

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