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About this place
Hagenturm is a 40-metre steel lookout tower crowning the Hage summit (912 m) in the Randen hills, a short hike from the village of Merishausen in the Swiss canton of Schaffhausen. The summit is the highest point of the entire canton, and the tower lifts you clear of the forest canopy for a view the trail itself never offers.
What can you see from Hagenturm?
About 225 steps lead up to the platform, which has information boards and benches. The panorama takes in the Schaffhausen area, the Klettgau plain, the Randen ridges and the volcanic cone of Hohentwiel across the German border. Beyond them the Black Forest fills the horizon, and on clear days the Alps appear in the distance.
The structure is steel, with grated flooring you can see through. Worth knowing if heights make you uneasy.
How do you get to Hagenturm?
Most visitors walk up from Merishausen. Plan roughly two to four hours, depending on the loop you choose and your pace. The tower sits on the Randen Weg trail, which runs from Schleitheim through the Randental valley to the highest point of the Randen, then via Hagen down to Merishausen. The hill also lies between Merishausen and Beggingen, so you can approach from either village.
A picnic area with a fire pit beside the tower makes a convenient rest stop.
Where does the tower come from?
The present steel tower dates from 1989 and replaced an older surveying tower nearby. It is the northernmost of the four Randen lookout towers on the Swiss side. Another one stands near Siblingen, about fifteen minutes on foot from the Randenhaus.
When is the best time to visit?
Pick a day with good visibility, ideally after a front has cleared the air, when the Alps stand out sharply. In summer start early; in autumn you get crisp air and forest colour. In winter pack warm layers, since the summit is breezy.
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Hagenturm?
The tower is 40 metres high and stands on a summit at 912 m above sea level. About 225 steps lead to the platform.
Can you see the Alps from the tower?
Yes, but only in good visibility. The Klettgau, the Randen and Hohentwiel are always in view, and on clear days the Black Forest and the Alps join them.
How long should I plan for the hike?
Two to four hours when starting from Merishausen, either out and back or as a loop over the Randen.
Is there somewhere to rest at the top?
Yes. A picnic spot with a barbecue area sits next to the tower, and the platform has benches and panels explaining the view.
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