On foot in 24 stages around Thurgau

Over 220 kilometers and in 24 stages, the Thurgau circular hiking trail takes you on a journey of discovery along the most beautiful villages of Mostindien. The trail takes hikers through the picturesque rural canton of Thurgau with its castles, fortresses, monasteries and rolling green landscapes.

Start in the cantonal capital

Naturally, the Thurgau circular hiking trail begins in the cantonal capital of Frauenfeld. It then leads to the local mountain Stählibuck, where it is worth making a short detour to the lookout tower of the same name and climbing it. You are greeted by a fantastic panoramic view. The trail continues across idyllic meadows, pastures and forests through the typical Thurgau landscape. Every now and then a lake or pond is a must: Lake Bichelsee, which you reach on the third stage, is hard to beat for idyllic scenery. In summer, it is a sweet little bathing lake, popular with cyclists, hikers and families.

Like a Sleeping Beauty castle

The canton of Thurgau also has a lot to offer in terms of history. On the fourth stage, you reach a witness to this: nestled in lush greenery, the Fischingen monastery appears after a steep descent from the narrow Tannegger ridge, sleepy as a Sleeping Beauty's castle. The Benedictine monastery in Thurgau's pine cone country is the only monastery in the canton still inhabited by monks. The monastery brews its own "Pilgrim" beer, offers fine food and a cultural program. Via Münchwilen and Affeltrangen, you reach the pretty old town of Weinfelden after Fischingen on stage 7.

"The Thurgau circular hiking trail shows you everything. There is hardly a region of the canton that it leaves out."

Through the middle of the canton

In Weinfelden - as the name suggests - wines are grown, cultivated and enjoyed. The local winegrowers produce excellent wines that are well worth tasting. Along the Thur and over the medieval Thur Bridge, the longest preserved natural stone bridge in Switzerland, you reach the rose town of Bischofszell. After a short ascent into the cool forest of the Bischofsberg, a signpost points the way to the Waldschenke Bischofszell. Here visitors can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view from the Säntis to the Glarus Alps. Hauptwil, the destination of stage 10, is only a 15-minute walk away. The Hauptwil pond is well worth a detour here. The small bathing area invites you to take a refreshing dip or linger a while.

The little Sitter ferry

The next stage of the Thurgau circular hiking trail follows the Sitter to the Gertau restaurant, a wonderful destination for the whole family. The ferry across the river at Gertau saves you the detour via Lütschwil. However, it only operates during the summer season. The next Thurgau landmark awaiting hikers is the moated castle of Hagenwil. The castle is one of the best-preserved moated castles in Switzerland and is now a restaurant, seminar and cultural center. The fruit-growing region of Oberthurgau is a feast for the eyes, especially in spring during the flowering season. The "Bluescht" telephone +41 71 531 01 30 provides information about the current blossom status.

"The orchard-rich region around Hagenwil moated castle is a real feast for the eyes, especially in spring during the flowering season."

Of Öpfelringli and Lake Constance

The route continues to Olmishausen. There you will find the "Öpfelfarm", which produces the typical Thurgau Öpfelringli (apple rings), among other things. On stage 13, you finally reach Lake Constance in Arbon. In the historic town of Arbon, the Swiss Cider and Distillery Museum MoMö is not to be missed. From the Arbon quays, the route heads west along the lake to Romanshorn, where the passenger ships of Schweizerische Bodensee Schifffahrt AG are serviced and from where, of course, they also set sail. Car and train fans can make a detour to the Autobau and Locorama museums. The route continues along Lake Constance to Altnau, stage destination 15.

Along the Untersee

Now you hike up the Seerücken to the Bommer ponds. The quiet, characterful landscape of the ponds is home to a valuable habitat for amphibians, reptiles and dragonflies and is a nature reserve. Via Kreuzlingen, stage 18 takes you to Untersee, probably the most beautiful part of Lake Constance. From Ermatingen, the trail leads up to the Arenenberg, with its panoramic views over the Untersee. In the Napoleon Museum located here, you can experience an original scene from the life of the Bonaparte family. Stage 21 takes hikers past the island of Werd and finally to Stein am Rhein. A visit to the small town is well worthwhile: cross the Rhine bridge to reach the picturesque alleyways, which are fascinating at any time of year.

Over the Seerücken into the Seebachtal valley

Over the Seerücken ridge, you follow the Thurgau circular hiking trail to Nussbaumen and down into the Seebachtal valley - a natural gem of national importance. With its three lakes, it is now once again an island of biodiversity and a wonderful hiking area following various renaturalizations. The destination of the second-last stage of the Thurgau circular hiking trail is another very special Thurgau highlight: Ittingen Charterhouse. A former, well-preserved Carthusian monastery that has become a seminar and cultural center. Historic gardens, a great restaurant and the Ittingen and Thurgau Art Museum are waiting to be discovered in a contemplative atmosphere. The last stage leads back to Frauenfeld, the starting point of the journey.