Discover Homburg

The municipality of Homburg lies on the Seerücken ridge between Lake Untersee and Frauenfeld. Hills, forests, orchards and farmland shape the landscape; elevations range from 439 to 721 metres above sea level. Visitors choosing Homburg as a destination will find both viewpoints and trails as well as historic churches and castle complexes.

Seerücken, views and trails

The Homburg panoramic circular trail is listed as open, easy and 5.1 kilometres long. It begins in Reutenen; the former Haidenhaus restaurant is given as an alternative starting point. There is a viewpoint with a panoramic information board along the trail. In good visibility, it identifies more than 270 peaks, including peaks in the Allgäu, Vorarlberg, the Rätikon, Alpstein, the Churfirsten, and the Glarus, Central Swiss and Bernese Alps. Check the route information before setting out.

The trail passes Waldriet Grosswis, which is listed in the Federal Inventory of Amphibian Spawning Sites of National Importance. Grass frogs and water frogs, common toads and midwife toads, as well as smooth newts and alpine newts can be found there. A side trip from the circular trail also leads to the 200-year-old silver fir known as “Grossmutter”. Along with the panorama, these stops offer a connection to the municipality’s habitats and natural features.

The municipality has three signposted running and walking routes, ranging from 3.5 to 12.5 kilometres in length. Hiking and cycling trails in and around Homburg also cross the Seerücken, passing through forests and orchards to viewpoints overlooking Lake Untersee. The different route details help you choose a tour based on your preferred activity and distance, without limiting the options to a single route.

Churches and castle history

Klingenberg Castle is protected by a legally binding designation and classified as particularly valuable. The core structures of the Lower Castle complex date from 1446. After a fire, the west wing was rebuilt in 1722; reconstruction of the south and east wings followed from 1733 to 1736. Its history and design, uniqueness, elaborate interiors and outstanding location make Klingenberg Castle one of the municipality’s most significant buildings.

The Baroque Church of St Peter and Paul in Homburg can be seen from far away. The present-day church was built in 1753 and 1754. In 1784, part of the village and the church burned down; the most recent restoration took place from 1977 to 1979. Its construction history can therefore be traced through specific dates, while Klingenberg Castle has a different architectural chronology.

Gündelhart also has a distinctive village setting: the castle, church, rectory and the “Beggestübli” building complex form an ensemble described as still completely intact today. The church is thought to have developed from a simple Romanesque chapel with a rectangular floor plan. Around 1300, a choir was added to the nave. A painting depicting the church’s patron saint, Mauritius, as a Roman officer was completed on the west gable in 1949. The individual structures and the painting tell different chapters of the village’s history.

Johann Traber is also part of local history: he grew up in Oberdorf in Homburg and founded the Raiffeisen banking system in Switzerland in 1899. Local festivals bring the village’s rich traditions to life; specific event dates should be planned separately.

Getting there and finding your way

Homburg does not have its own railway station, but it is connected to public transport by PostBus routes 826 between Frauenfeld and Steckborn and 831 between Homburg and Müllheim TG. By road, the cantonal road and nearby A7 motorway provide access to regional centres such as Steckborn, Weinfelden and Kreuzlingen.

To reach the starting point of the panoramic circular trail, take the train to Müllheim-Wigoltingen. Then take PostBus route 833 towards Ermatingen to the Raperswilen, Schulhaus stop; from there, it is a 40-minute walk to the starting point. Timetables may change, so check your connection before travelling. This lets you plan your journey to the trail separately from Homburg’s general public transport connections.

For additional context about the landscape, a geology information board stands in the forest on the right-hand side of Haidenhausstrasse, between Salen and Reutenen. It explains how the landscape formed, as well as the formation of rivers, valleys and lakes. The Alpine panorama board is in Hinterhomburg, near Halde; the route there from the main road is signposted.

Discover more destinations: Hörhausen, Eschenz, Wagenhausen, Berlingen, Steckborn, Mammern, Müllheim Dorf, Hüttwilen

Return to the main travel overview: Steckborn.