Mittelland Route
Overview
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Distance 35 km
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Ascent 400 m
Intro
The rolling hills of Oberthurgau: apples and pears in plenty, nearby canning factories to be expected. Motorway construction means that only parts remain of extensive water meadows east of Wil - main city in «Fürstenland».
Detour / Closure
There are detours or closures along this route, for more information see https://schweizmobil.ch/en/cycling-in-switzerland/route-5/stage-1
Description
Sparkling Lake Constance is magical, but once you leave Romanshorn, you quickly plunge into a sea of fruit farms. Especially in the spring, when they are in full bloom, they are a feast for the eyes! Hagenwil Castle is another pretty sight. Built in the early 13th century, it is still considered to be an insider tip despite the castle festival. The moorland region coming up is probably also relatively unknown. It’s best to park the bike near the grilling station at the edge of the nature preserve and walk in to where you hear the frogs croaking. Birds, butterflies and dragonflies are dancing around the former peat extraction area of about 30 hectares. Fauna and flora can be appreciated up close from the paths leading through the nature preserve. A bit eerie, especially on a foggy morning...
The route crosses the Sitter near the Leutswil campground, but it can be spotted earlier from the Wilen hamlet higher up. It merges with the Thur River in the attractive town of Bischofszell. The old crooked Thur bridge (off the bike route) is an interesting place. It was built in the late Middle Ages and has eight arches. It is Switzerland’s longest preserved medieval bridge of natural stone. You will also pass eye-catching half-timbered houses now and then. And let’s not forget Mount Säntis: the highest mountain in the Alpstein region (2500 m) is clearly visible at times, and sometimes it hides behind the clouds.
The kingfishers and herons in the amphibian spawning area in the Thur meadowlands have no reason to hide and the beavers will not appear until dusk anyhow. In the Thurauen Nature Centre you can find fascinating details about riverside and rain forests. With the sounds of the highway on your left and the rushing of the Thur River on your right you pedal along the highway until you get to Wil, a lovely, oval-shaped town with a slightly elevated centre. Wil is also called “the gate to the Lower Toggenburg region”.
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 |
Romanshorn
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Wil
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| Ascent |
400 m
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| Descent |
220 m
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| Distance |
35 km
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| Distance on tarred ways |
23 km
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| Distance on natural surface |
12 km
|
| Physical requirements |
Easy
|
| More information | https://schweizmobil.ch/en/cycling-in-switzerland/... |
Quick Facts
Route number
