5 Mittelland Route
5 Mittelland Route
5 Mittelland Route
5 Mittelland Route
5 Mittelland Route
5 Mittelland Route

Cycling in Switzerland

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Mittelland Route

Stage 2, Wil (SG)–Kloten

Route report
55 photos

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Mittelland Route

Useful but unpredictable water from richly forested Tösstal. Culturally and industrially confident Winterthur, a city without airs and graces. Whether with a gentle murmur or a roar, the turbines of the «silver birds» announce the arrival of Zurich.
Wil (St. Gallen) has basically managed to keep its small town character. More than 500 years ago, the St. Gallen prince-abbots lived at the “Hof zu Wil”, which is why it is also called the “town of abbots”. Once you leave Wil it is all urban agglomeration. Near Bichelsee Lake there is a frog’s net on the side of the road to make sure that the animals are not run over. On their dangerous journey to the spawning waters, the frogs are often carried across the street by volunteers. Bichelsee Lake, between Niederhofen and Seelmatten on the border between Thurgau and Zurich, is a veritable gem. It has a beach for a bit of relaxation. If you are traveling with kids the playground, ping pong table, wading pool and boat rental are a welcome sight. And if you are a photographer, there are plenty of lovely pictures to take.

Speaking of which: Seelmatten, just a stone’s throw away, with its charming town centre surrounded by attractive homes is very picturesque. The cattle clearly enjoy the lush, green grass, while the passengers on the “thurbo” regional train watch from the windows. The name is nominal at best as the train leisurely chugs through the Turbenthal region, but on the paved road along the Töss you can really fly. The river seems subdued here and merges with the Rhine in Teufen (Tössegg). In Schöntal near Rikon the valley is not the only pretty view. The “Circolino Pipistrello” circus caravan in its winter quarters is also worth a peek.

And then you arrive in Winterthur, a vibrant, culturally and industrially interesting city, but without big-city airs. If you follow Route 5 you will bypass Winterthur on the south side along an enjoyable passage through the forest accompanied by the Töss. In the spring the smell of garlic is in the air here because the area is full of wild garlic plants. The road up to Winterberg is surprisingly steep and near Lindau you will pass the Strickhof agricultural college. The air in Bassersdorf, however, has nothing to do with agriculture as you approach the Zurich-Kloten airport.
Useful but unpredictable water from richly forested Tösstal. Culturally and industrially confident Winterthur, a city without airs and graces. Whether with a gentle murmur or a roar, the turbines of the «silver birds» announce the arrival of Zurich.
Wil (St. Gallen) has basically managed to keep its small town character. More than 500 years ago, the St. Gallen prince-abbots lived at the “Hof zu Wil”, which is why it is also called the “town of abbots”. Once you leave Wil it is all urban agglomeration. Near Bichelsee Lake there is a frog’s net on the side of the road to make sure that the animals are not run over. On their dangerous journey to the spawning waters, the frogs are often carried across the street by volunteers. Bichelsee Lake, between Niederhofen and Seelmatten on the border between Thurgau and Zurich, is a veritable gem. It has a beach for a bit of relaxation. If you are traveling with kids the playground, ping pong table, wading pool and boat rental are a welcome sight. And if you are a photographer, there are plenty of lovely pictures to take.

Speaking of which: Seelmatten, just a stone’s throw away, with its charming town centre surrounded by attractive homes is very picturesque. The cattle clearly enjoy the lush, green grass, while the passengers on the “thurbo” regional train watch from the windows. The name is nominal at best as the train leisurely chugs through the Turbenthal region, but on the paved road along the Töss you can really fly. The river seems subdued here and merges with the Rhine in Teufen (Tössegg). In Schöntal near Rikon the valley is not the only pretty view. The “Circolino Pipistrello” circus caravan in its winter quarters is also worth a peek.

And then you arrive in Winterthur, a vibrant, culturally and industrially interesting city, but without big-city airs. If you follow Route 5 you will bypass Winterthur on the south side along an enjoyable passage through the forest accompanied by the Töss. In the spring the smell of garlic is in the air here because the area is full of wild garlic plants. The road up to Winterberg is surprisingly steep and near Lindau you will pass the Strickhof agricultural college. The air in Bassersdorf, however, has nothing to do with agriculture as you approach the Zurich-Kloten airport.
51 km
Asphalted: 44 km
Natural surface: 7 km
440 m | 580 m
medium

Arrival | return travel

Arrival / return travel Wil
SBB Timetable Show stop and route on map

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Traffic volume
Beware: busy main road Balterswil–Bichelsee
Diversion, Bassersdorf
Diversion, Bassersdorf
Duration
30.05.2022 - 28.10.2022
Reason
Construction & maintenance work
The route is being diverted. Please follow the local signposts. See map for details.
Data source: SwitzerlandMobility / Cantonal office

Hints

Guides
There is a guide available for this route in German and French.
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Arrival | return travel

Arrival / return travel Kloten
SBB Timetable Show stop and route on map

Services

Accommodation

Hotel Schwanen
Hotel Schwanen
Wil SG
Hotel Münchwilen
Hotel Münchwilen
Münchwilen TG
Gasthof Gyrenbad swiss historic hotel
Gasthof Gyrenbad swiss historic hotel
Turbenthal
Depot195
Depot195
Winterthur
B&B Hueb 14
B&B Hueb 14
Winterberg ZH
Solarhaus Foren
Solarhaus Foren
Lindau
Hotel Restaurant Pöstli
Hotel Restaurant Pöstli
Bassersdorf/Balterswil
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Bookable offers

5 Mittelland Route Romanshorn - Lausanne
5 Mittelland Route Romanshorn - Lausanne
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Places

Wil SG
Wil SG
Fischingen
Fischingen
Turbenthal
Turbenthal
Girenbad
Girenbad
Winterthur
Winterthur
Kloten
Kloten
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Places of interest

Centre for photography
Centre for photography
Kyburg Castle
Kyburg Castle
Old Town Winterthur
Old Town Winterthur
Pumptrack Reitplatz Winterthur
Pumptrack Reitplatz Winterthur
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