Töss-Jona-Route
Overview
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Distance 38 km
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Ascent 420 m
Intro
Idyllic Tössegg at the bend in the Rhine, first a rural interlude then initial signs of industrialization, proud machine and locomotive builders in Winterthur and rows of lovingly converted workers’ cottages.
Description
The pretty little town of Eglisau is worth a look. Right by the Rhine and surrounded by vineyards, time seems to have stood still here, which is why it is the perfect place to start this leisurely bike tour. Tössriedernstrasse is a road that has been travelled by many adventurers from distant lands, such as cyclists taking the EuroVelo 6 route from the Atlantic to the Black Sea, or following the Rhine from its source to where it flows into the North Sea. By comparison, the Töss-Jona route is somewhat more manageable with its meadows and vineyards. Tössrieden offers pretty timber-framed houses and Tössegg on the Rhine knee is truly a feast for the eyes.
Life is good in this spot where the Töss joins the Rhine. Elegant swans, couples strolling together and day trippers on e-bikes mill about at their leisure. Why not try a glass of Zurich wine in the beer garden? If you wish, you can loop around on a 2.5 kilometre detour to see a WWF beaver path. After that, Teufen Castle will soon appear on the left. Standing like a stately home, it defines the landscape before it rises to the Irchel, a ridge at just under 700 metres above sea level between the Töss and Thur rivers. It is a leisurely ride to Pfungen through the lower Tösstal valley, where the river straightens its course.
You will also cross paths with lots of traffic on the motorway at Wülflingen. Below you, there will be a few cyclists and the river Töss, either saying hello or goodbye to Winterthur. If you like, you can choose to leave “Winti”, as the locals often call it, to your left. But you shouldn’t: not too long ago, this was home to some important mechanical engineering companies. Nowadays, however, the second largest city in the canton of Zurich boasts a wide range of cultural offerings (with plenty of museums to choose from) along with events, concerts and sport. The compact old town with its town houses, ranging from Gothic to Rococo, also has its charm.
After this you will continue on a scenic stretch through the Leisental valley. Here in the woods, the river Töss can wind, bend, curve and meander as it pleases. This appears to suit the local fish just fine, including the three-spined stickleback, minnow and bullhead. The Tibetan prayer flags are as colourful as the trailer of the Circolino Pipistrello circus, which has set up camp in the Schöntal valley. The Tibet Institute opened here in 1968, making it the first Buddhist monastery outside Asia. Rikon is probably the most important place in Switzerland for Tibetans living in exile, who have fled their country due to repression by the Chinese government. What a privilege it is to be able to cycle to Turbenthal freely and without fear, to where this leg ends by the railway station.
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 |
Eglisau
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Turbenthal
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| Ascent |
420 m
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| Descent |
260 m
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| Distance |
38 km
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| Distance on tarred ways |
31 km
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| Distance on natural surface |
7 km
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| Physical requirements |
Medium
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| Theme |
Along Water
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Quick Facts
Route number
