Discover Bussnang
Accommodation in Bussnang
Bussnang is a political municipality and village in the district of Weinfelden in the canton of Thurgau. It lies on the south bank of the Thur, about two kilometres southwest of Weinfelden. Bussnang offers various points of interest for choosing a travel destination: the riverside trail with its distinctive bridge, evidence of the village’s history, and activities related to nature and village life.
Thur Trail and Ganggelisteg
Near Bussnang, the Thur Trail crosses the 120-metre-long Ganggelisteg, a suspension bridge. Here, the trail switches to the other side of the river again and passes through the forest for a short stretch. The stage from Weinfelden to Frauenfeld passes through Bussnang and is 24 kilometres long in total. As route conditions can change with the seasons, it is worth checking the route before setting out on a hike.
Built in 1881, the Ganggelisteg connects Bussnang with Weinfelden and serves as an official hiking trail across the Thur in central Thurgau. It is considered a landmark and the only pylon-supported suspension bridge in Thurgau. The structure is also notable from a cultural-historical and engineering perspective: the bridge construction, as well as its approaches and access roads, are of outstanding significance by cantonal standards. The bridge is legally protected and classified as valuable.
Hiking trails, cycling routes and other activities
Marked hiking trails and numerous country lanes invite you to explore Bussnang on foot. One themed trail is the Vermesser-Weg (Surveyor’s Trail), where various information boards explain the craft of surveying. Several cycling routes pass through the municipality. Much of the route of the Märwil national cycling race also runs through Bussnang municipality. For inline skating, the municipality recommends the road along the Furtbach.
The activities offer a range of experiences: the Thur Trail combines a hike with the Ganggelisteg and a short stretch through the forest; the Vermesser-Weg adds an educational theme to the route. The cycling routes and the Märwil race course are for cycling, while the Furtbach recommendation is for inline skaters. Bussnang railway station has 16 covered bicycle parking spaces.
Church and village history
The Evangelical Church of St Gallus brings together several building phases. A new church built in 1423 is thought to be the one referred to; the upper section of the tower dates from 1694, and the nave was extended in 1787. The choir windows also retain remnants of stained glass from 1903, attributed to Friedrich Berbig. The building therefore brings together evidence from several different centuries.
The recorded history of the village goes back much further: Bussnang is believed to have been first mentioned in a document in 822 under the name “Pussinwanc”. In the Early Middle Ages, the Abbey of St Gall was the largest landowner in Bussnang; in the High Middle Ages, the barons of Bussnang held rights over the area. These details from different periods offer a brief overview of changes in ownership and legal rights.
Glacial erratics, museum and village life
The BĂĽel glacial erratic garden near Mettlen displays 67 boulders from a gravel pit in Mettlen. They illustrate how Ice Age glaciers transported rocks. Their exact number and origin make the garden a specific place to visit for anyone interested in the geological history of the landscape.
The Mettlen Village Museum explores village life and the crafts of a typical Thurgau village around 1900. Exhibits include a village school and tools from historic trades. The museum opened in 1991. In the village of Bussnang, you can see various birds and other animals in enclosures at Bussliger Zoo, including parrots, kangaroos, goats, ducks and koi carp. Bussnang also has several official fire pits for picnics.
Whether you want to focus your trip on the Thur Trail, architectural history or insights into village trades of the past, Bussnang offers a range of local themes. You can choose what to explore based on your interests; there is no single prescribed itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Weingarten, Wigoltingen, Berg, Weinfelden, BĂĽrglen.
Back to the main travel overview: Weinfelden.
