The suggested walk “Past the Golf Course and Castles” follows orchards, meadows and woodland edges to the first outskirts of Amriswil. Erlen thus offers access to a range of themes: landscapes and walks, golf, and architectural and local history.

Landscape and Ponds

Erlen Golf Club is set in a gently rolling fruit-growing landscape in Thurgau. The three Biessenhofen ponds are located in the border area between the municipalities of Amriswil and Erlen. Part of the ponds has been designated a nature reserve of national importance and is listed in the federal amphibian inventory. The ponds therefore let you combine a walk through the landscape with a designated protected area; this protection status applies to part of the area, not to all three ponds as a whole.

The local recreation area at the Biessenhofen ponds has well-maintained walking paths and a public barbecue area. As local conditions can change seasonally, check the current situation before your visit. This lets you plan your time at the ponds realistically, without assuming that the paths and barbecue area are available in the same way all year round.

Walks and Nature Experiences

The suggested walk “Past the Golf Course and Castles” takes you through a sequence of landscapes featuring orchards, meadows and woodland edges, and leads to the first outskirts of Amriswil. You can also walk along the Aach and watch for foxes and deer. These themes offer different starting points for a trip: the suggested walk and its described landscape, or a walk along the Aach with the chance to observe wildlife.

Golf and Leisure

Erlen Golf Club has an 18-hole, par-71 course measuring 5,647 metres. The driving range is open to the public and is part of the integrated Golf Academy. This means there are two different golf options: a course with specific playing details and a publicly accessible practice area. If you plan to use the driving range, check the current operating arrangements, as they may change.

The Bädli leisure facility is located in Riedt near Erlen, surrounded by nature. The Regulastübli offers facilities and space for around 20 people. If you plan to use the venue, check the booking arrangements in advance, as they may change. The approximate capacity can help you plan for a group, but does not replace confirming the details of your booking.

Castle History and Buildings

Eppishausen Castle stands above the village and was the seat of the former Lordship of Eppishausen. Baron Josef von Lassberg, known as “Sepp von Eppishusen,” lived there from 1818 to 1838. During that time, the castle was visited by, among others, Ludwig Uhland, Annette von Droste-Hülshoff and Jakob Grimm. These dates and names give the castle’s history a clear historical context.

The present-day St. Alban’s Chapel at Eppishausen Castle was rebuilt in 1698/99 to replace the old chapel and consecrated in 1707. It is legally protected and classified as particularly valuable. Another milestone in Erlen’s architectural history is the Protestant church, built by Hans Ulrich Grubenmann in 1764. The chapel and church add two distinct buildings, each with a clearly datable historical context, to the castle’s history.

Planning Your Journey and Stay

Erlen can be reached by car and public transport and is close to urban centres. Looking for a holiday apartment in Erlen is one way to combine your accommodation plans with these interests; your choice of theme is independent of whether you travel by car or public transport.

Discover more destinations: Kümmertshausen, Bischofszell, Kradolf-Schönenberg, Zihlschlacht-Sitterdorf, Hauptwil-Gottshaus.

Back to the main travel overview: Bischofszell.