Ostschweizer Wein-Route
Overview
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Distance 38 km
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Ascent 480 m
Intro
From Weinfelden, the journey continues onward through the green Thur wetlands to Bischofszell. The small baroque town attracts visitors with its stately 18th century town houses. Onwards we journey to Hauptwil. Via Gossau, we reach our destination, the monastery town of St. Gallen.
Description
This place is called Weinfelden for a reason: wine plays a major role here. The high quality of the local tipple is down to the mild climate and fertile soil. The winemakers pour their heart and soul into pressing the two main grape varieties, Müller-Thurgau and Pinot Noir. The first section of the tour involves a lively ride along the river Thur, hugging the river closely for the most part, during which you pass by a conservation area for amphibians shortly before arriving at Bürglen. The “thurbo”, Eastern Switzerland’s regional railway, is never far away either. Butterflies will flutter about you and, somewhere in the woods, perhaps you will hear a woodpecker hammering away. In the floodplain meadows, you can treat yourself to a “Möhl”, the famous, naturally cloudy cider from “Mostindien” (known as the “India of cider” on account of this region’s distinctive shape), at various restaurants.
The village of Kradolf is known for its Mammut river raft races. This vibrant local festival on the rivers Sitter and Thur between Degenau and Kradolf traditionally takes place on Mother’s Day. The Sitter then flows into the Thur at Bischofszell. You will recognise this old village by its handsome townhouses. Picturesquely perched on a terrace, this place has been awarded the Wakker Prize for the preservation of its architectural heritage. Bischofszell was quick to industrialise: where linen used to be manufactured here, nowadays it produces food and drink.
“Hauptwiler Weiher pond was originally created in around 1430 for farming fish and to feed the mill canal. Its water rights laid the foundation for Hauptwil’s early industrialisation” – this is written on one of the plaques on the industrial heritage trail between Bischofszell and Hauptwil, which the cycle route now follows. The half-timbered houses along the way are beautiful to behold. This leg leads to Gossau via Arnegg through a gently undulating landscape. Cows and goats graze around the outskirts of the industrial settlement, with farm cats patrolling the fields. This area is the agricultural heartland of St. Gallen, especially for butter and cheese production.
But it is a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach: the views of the many bridges over the Sitter and Sittertal valley are sure to impress, the deep gashes carved by the stream conjuring up an impression of times gone by. St. Gallen, your destination for this leg, merits more than just a brief stop. This metropolis in Eastern Switzerland boasts an attractive old town, a world-famous abbey, the highest professional football stadium in Switzerland – and, of course, St. Galler bratwurst, which is sure to hit the spot after your tiring bike ride, in authentic local style: without mustard.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Weinfelden
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|---|---|
| Destination |
St. Gallen
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| Ascent |
480 m
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| Descent |
240 m
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| Distance |
38 km
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| Distance on tarred ways |
27 km
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| Distance on natural surface |
11 km
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| Physical requirements |
Medium
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| Theme |
Through a vineyard
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Quick Facts
Route number
