In Thal, two routes offer different ways to explore the vineyards and landscape: the short Vineyard Culture Trail on Buechberg and the longer “Winter on the Old Rhine” circular hike. Winegrowing, museums and other activities round out the options. When planning a stay, visitors can choose between a stroll, a longer hike, culture and time by the water.
Routes through vineyards and countryside
The Thal Vineyard Culture Trail is a 2.6-kilometre circular route along the ridge and around the southern side of Buechberg. Its twelve stops cover historical and modern winegrowing, as well as ecology and geology. This one- to two-hour walk is suitable for adults and children. The climb to Steiniger Tisch can be made via the Vineyard Culture Trail; information panels about winegrowing and views of Lake Constance and the Appenzell region are highlights of this option.
The “Winter on the Old Rhine” circular hike is considerably longer, at 12.0 kilometres. It starts and ends at the Thal, alte Post bus stop, passes Steiniger Tisch, descends through the vineyards to Thal via 565 sandstone steps, and reaches the Bisewäldli and Altenrhein nature reserves. Information panels along the route cover overwintering birds, nature, geology, history and winegrowing. Comparing its length with the Vineyard Culture Trail provides a concrete guide for choosing between the two routes; no walking time is specified for the longer loop.
Winegrowing and Steiniger Tisch
The south-facing slopes of Thal’s Buechberg offer favourable conditions for a range of grape varieties. At the Steinig Tisch winery, eight different grape varieties grow on extremely steep slopes in poor, clayey soil. The winery also has a dry-stone wall around one kilometre long, as well as brushwood piles and flower mixes that provide additional habitat for biodiversity. These landscape features add an ecological dimension to winegrowing.
The cellar at the Steinig Tisch winery is open to customers for visits, wine tastings and purchases. The Steiniger Tisch excursion destination serves Alpine cuisine and wines from Roman Rutishauser to accompany the menu. So, alongside wine, visitors can also choose from specific options for a culinary outing.
Museums and culture
The FFA Museum Altenrhein presents the history of aviation and automobiles at St. Gallen Airport on the southern shore of Lake Constance. Its approximately 5,000 square metres of exhibition space include a flight simulator, a car simulator and a Carrera track, among other experiences for the whole family. Many of the aircraft and vehicles are still airworthy or roadworthy and are maintained at the museum. Guided tours also cover the history of Altenrhein Airport, which has helped shape aviation over the past 100 years.
The Thal Local Museum uses exhibition rooms in the old Ă–chsli, right in the centre of Thal, and presents special exhibitions to the public. The Thal Thursday Society also organises cultural events open to the public, including exhibitions, excursions, festivals, concerts, literature, trips, games, theatre, entertainment, lectures and continuing education. Everyone is welcome at its events.
More activities and getting your bearings
KrimiSpass Thal is an interactive crime mystery played on a smartphone. The story revolves around a missing professor; allow about two to three hours to investigate. The game can be played year-round, at any time of day. Its approximate duration is easy to compare with the one- to two-hour Vineyard Culture Trail walk, without suggesting that the two activities are the same.
Thaler-Bädli is a compact swimming facility for the whole family. It has separate swimming and non-swimmer pools, as well as a paddling pool with a small water slide. Excursions on Lake Constance are also possible from the municipality of Thal. Jägerhaus harbour has 128 berths for fishing boats, motorboats and smaller sailing boats.
Thal is in Switzerland, in the Rorschach constituency of the canton of St. Gallen. Nearby places include Sankt Margrethen, Höchst and Rorschach. This information helps visitors get their bearings without presenting the listed places as a fixed excursion route.
Discover more destinations: Rorschacherberg, Rorschach, Mörschwil, Goldach, Steinach
Back to the main travel overview: Rorschach.
