Discover Münchwilen: Nature, Culture and Trails

The district of Münchwilen is in the canton of Thurgau; its main town is Münchwilen. Traditionally, the landscape is called Hinterthurgau, while in tourism and everyday usage the region is also known as Tannzapfenland. Different focal points can help you plan your trip: paths along the Murg, walking or cycling tours, and sights related to architectural and monastic history.

Discover Münchwilen on the Murg

The Murg Riverside Trail leads from the centre of Münchwilen to Frauenfeld. Along the way, it passes barbecue areas and the Rosentaler Weiher pond. This makes it possible to plan a route along the Murg with specific stopping points; conditions on the trail and at the barbecue areas may vary locally. Alfred Sutter Park is also centrally located in Münchwilen and covers more than 16,000 square metres. Check access arrangements before your visit.

Another perspective on the town is offered by Villa Sutter. The historic villa is surrounded by a park and offers an insight into 19th-century architecture. The St. Margareten Chapel is also in Münchwilen: it was built in 1641–1642 and is listed among Münchwilen’s cultural assets. These buildings offer different historical highlights, from 19th-century villa architecture to a 17th-century chapel.

GameScore in Münchwilen offers an interactive experience. At this museum, visitors can try out, play and experience the exhibits for themselves. The collection includes pinball machines from 1947 to the present day, as well as ten VR escape room experiences. As individual exhibits may change, check the current offering before travelling.

Compare hikes and cycling tours

For walks, information on two trails offers practical guidance on their length and character: the Froschlaichweg is 2.5 kilometres long and rated easy to moderate. Along the way are a forest educational trail, a biotope and the Riesenberg rest area; the route passes through the Renetal valley and combines nature experiences with views of the region. The approximately six-kilometre Bat Nature Trail shares interesting facts about native species and crosses various hunting grounds and habitats. There are also picnic spots along the trail. The forest clearing is free for visitors to use; the grounds of Fischingen Monastery are open to the public. Check opening times before your visit.

Longer routes can also be compared by their individual features. The Herzschlaufe 999 runs from Wil through the forested Tannzapfenland to Fischingen Monastery. It is 95 kilometres long and follows low-traffic roads and paths. The TopTrail Tannzapfenland in Fischingen is set up differently: the mountain bike trail centre has a varied network of trails covering around 4.8 kilometres, with three signposted loops. These can be ridden individually as circular routes, combined or repeated. Check the latest route information before setting out.

Those who prefer a guided tour can find walks and bike tours in Tannzapfenland, tailored to suit different groups. They are planned to last around 2.5 to 3 hours. As these are planned offerings, check the latest guiding and booking arrangements in advance.

Culture spanning the monastery, chapel and exhibitions

Fischingen Monastery is a former Benedictine abbey with exceptional Baroque interiors. It was founded between 1133 and 1138 at the instigation of the Lords of Toggenburg by Bishop Ulrich II of Constance, and settled by monks from Petershausen. The monastery has been revitalised by a monastic community since 1977. You can pair a visit with a PILGRIM brewery tour, which introduces the history of beer brewing and provides a look inside the storage area, technical section and brewhouse, with its two copper kettles. The tour includes six to eight beer samples. Check current dates and tasting details in advance.

The Martinskapelle Oberwangen has a distinctive architectural form: it is octagonal and topped by a dome with a lantern. Art historian Albert Knoepfli described its high altar as a “true rural Baroque wonder.” In Tobel, the former Johanniter commandery has a history stretching back almost 800 years. It is one of the most significant cultural and architectural monuments in the canton of Thurgau, is protected as a cultural asset of national importance, and is under federal protection. Its year-round cultural programme includes, among other things, children’s programmes, concerts and magic shows; individual events may change.

The Agrotechnorama in Tänikon traces the development of agricultural machinery—from horse-drawn power to the tractor, from the threshing flail to the combine harvester, and from the scythe to the mower. The permanent exhibition is housed in the monastery barn of the former Tänikon Cistercian convent and includes 750 exhibits across 1,800 square metres. There are no regular opening hours; groups of all sizes can attend guided tours. Check current tour availability before your visit.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Münchwilen, Lommis, Wuppenau, Sirnach, Fischingen, Steckborn, Arbon, Kreuzlingen.

Return to the main travel overview: Thurgau.