Dreiländereck tripoint – walk across 3 countries in 10 mins

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Last Updated on 24th July 2020

A friend of mine turned 40 recently and for his birthday he wanted to fly into Basel, head to the Black Forest to watch some snowboarding cross, eat some Black Forest Gateau, and then watch FC Freiburg in a Bundesliga game. It made me think “Where can you be in 3 countries?” Could I do it in Basel? It turned out to be the perfect opportunity to walk from one country, into another, into another at Dreiländereck – the Germany, France and Switzerland tripoint. As long as you’re not simply one of those “country counters” 😉

So what is the Dreiländereck tripoint exactly?

Dreiländereck (also spelt Dreilaendereck) is a tripoint just outside of Basel where Germany, France and Switzerland’s borders all meet. This tripoint is one of the only ones within a major city (Basel) and an iron pylon monument shaped like a rocket celebrates the fact … even though the actual tripoint is 150m NW of it in the middle of the River Rhine (the Dreiländereck scuplture is therefore 150m to the SE on Swiss soil).

Ever the stickler for detail I wanted to walk across the two actual borders. I had my passport with me as I’d just arrived from the airport but never needed to show it once as everything’s open for you to walk “to and fro” as you please.

How long does it take to walk through all 3 countries?

In total from my starting point in France, across the bridge into Germany and then down into Switzerland it’s a 9 minute, 700m walk. From the French starting point to the actual Dreiländereck monument it’s a 32 minutes and 2.6km walk.

If you like taking part in more organised excursions then check out the trips below. They might not include the tripoint but will show you the many beautiful spots nearby.

And getting to Dreiländereck in the first place?

To get to the Germany, France and Switzerland tripoint you will most likely arrive from Basel-Freiburg airport. Ask for a taxi outside to the ‘Passerelle des Trois Pays bridge’ (Dreiländereck bridge), or Huninge on the French side of the river, or just point on Google Maps on your phone like I did. The taxi cost from the airport was approximately €12.50 and was a 10 minutes drive. Exiting the airport from the French side “may” be cheaper unless both the French and Swiss sides share the same taxi rank?

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Starting out in France

Once you get dropped off you walk across the bridge from France (Huninge) into Germany (the Friedlingen district of Weil am Rhein) with the actual border on the floor being unmarked (instead there’s a plaque on the railings in the middle of the bridge). The ideal time to post a social media status of “I’m in France”. Followed by one 15 seconds later “I’m in Germany”!” I walked to and fro a few times before realising it was probably a bit strange-looking. Especially as I still had my wheelie case hand luggage with me.

Strolling into Germany

From there walk down the bridge into Germany and you’ll see a bench to match the one on the French side with “Gemeinsam über Grenzen wachsen” written on the side (Grow together across borders). Quite apt in the current times what with the USA/Mexico situation.

Finally from Germany into Switzerland!

From the foot of the bridge I walked onto German soil and past the Rheincenter shopping centre. From there you turn right at the roundabout into Zollstraße. There, 150 m along near the German/Swiss border is a tram stop which looks like it’s a border control but is actually just a ticket booth for the tram. The border line is level with the centre of the spaceship-like building in the middle of the road. Marked with a 10cm wide line of stones in the ground.

Taking the high up scenic route

I chose to walk along the main road and across the bridge into Switzerland. Although according to Google Maps there is a slightly shorter footpath just across the Swiss border (taking 1.5km instead of 1.8km to the Dreiländereck monument). However up on the bridge it’s a nicer/safer walk. You get a good view of the Dreiländereck that you’re heading towards. This lies on a long spit of land, jutting out along an industrial road. A scenic route it is certainly not, but it’s a destination to aim for so you can least say you’ve been there.

Is the Germany, France and Switzerland tripoint marked in anyway?

The Germany, France and Switzerland tripoint monument has the 3 flags on its side but there’s little to actually do when you get there. For me walking across the borders was the enjoyable and novelty part. Especially walking over the bridge from France into Germany. On a sunny, Summer’s day I’m sure it’s a lot nicer and you could sit by the river watching the world go by. The nearby restaurants most likely being fully open. I imagine there will be some pleasure boat rides too? Maybe you can boat from Germany into Switzerland instead 🙂

Anybody else been to any other tripoints around the world? Even been to this Germany, France and Switzerland tripoint? 🙂

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