Fischingen is designated as a local recreation area and hiking paradise, with the hilly landscape characteristic of Hinterthurgau. For planning, it’s worth considering the time, distance and type of route: the Discoverers’ Trail is a family route, the Toleberg Loop is suitable for strollers, and other trails focus on notable destinations or bats. There is also the publicly accessible monastery grounds and cultural activities. Plan your stay around the topic that interests you most.
Choose hiking routes by duration and theme
The Discoverers’ Trail is 8 km long, with 240 metres of elevation gain and a stated walking time of 2 hours and 10 minutes. As a family route, it is aimed at curious young adventurers; the answers are available along the way. This combines exercise with an idea for exploration that you can enjoy together with children.
For a shorter stated walking time, the Toleberg Loop offers a clear comparison: it is 4 km long, with a stated walking time of one hour and 60 metres of elevation gain, and is suitable for strollers. Compared with the Discoverers’ Trail, it is four kilometres shorter, has 180 metres less elevation gain and a stated walking time that is 1 hour and 10 minutes shorter. The Schuelweg has a different focus: it passes the canton’s largest fir tree and two fire pits.
The approximately 6 km Bat Nature Trail is a circular route starting and ending at Fischingen Monastery. There are picnic spots along the way. The trail provides information about native bat species and passes through various hunting grounds and habitats used by the animals. At around 6 km, it falls between the Toleberg Loop and the Discoverers’ Trail in terms of distance. Trail conditions and facilities may change; check the current situation before setting out.
If you’re planning beyond individual local routes, the Thurgau Circular Hiking Trail offers a wider framework: it is 200 km long and passes through various regions of Thurgau. One section runs from Seelmatten/Bichelsee to Fischingen; the next runs from Fischingen to Münchwilen. Fischingen is therefore part of a longer hiking route whose total distance is considerably greater than that of the local trails.
Monastery, culture and getting there
Fischingen Monastery and its entire grounds are open to the public. As access and opening conditions may change, check the current conditions before your visit. The monastery can be reached on bus route 734 via the “Fischingen, Kloster” stop; check the current timetable before travelling.
The organ walk through the monastery church focuses on the Baroque church’s four organs. The monastery also offers free public cultural activities. Check the current programme before travelling, as visitor offerings may change.
Brewery tour and regional cuisine
On the first Saturday of each month, Kloster Fischingen Brewery offers brewery tours for individuals, with 6 to 8 beer samples for CHF 30. Check the date and booking arrangements before travelling.
Restaurant Scheidweg in Fischingen serves fresh, regional and seasonal cuisine. Alongside the hiking trails, this gives you a specific restaurant and the brewery programme as additional points of interest for your stay.
Whether you’re focusing on a short route, a themed trail or a longer section of the Thurgau Circular Hiking Trail, the stated distances, walking times and elevation gains help you compare the different hiking options. Depending on your interests, add a monastery visit, the organ walk or a cultural activity to your plans.
Discover more destinations: Wuppenau, Lommis, Sirnach, MĂĽnchwilen
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