Rhine Falls is Europe’s largest waterfall by volume, on the High Rhine near Schaffhausen in Switzerland.
The falls are about 23 metres high and 150 metres wide. Their great visual power comes from the large amount of water forced through a relatively narrow rocky channel, not from exceptional height. Average discharge varies strongly with season, with snowmelt and rainfall increasing the flow.
A prominent rock stands in the middle of the cataract, and boats commonly take visitors close to it. Viewing platforms on both the northern and southern banks provide different perspectives. The nearby medieval Schloss Laufen is one of the best-known viewpoints.
Rhine Falls is often mistakenly called Europe’s highest waterfall. That title belongs to other candidates depending on the measurement used, while Rhine Falls is specifically famous for its exceptional water volume and width.