Around four hectares of marshland, Maria Bildstein—regarded as a place of power for 500 years—and an inflatable boat trip lasting around four hours, depending on water levels, show how diverse themes shape Benken. Nature, sacred sites, local culture and activities on the water offer you different points of reference for planning a stay.
Marshland and nature studies
The school nature reserve on 4. Gangstrasse covers around four hectares of marshland. It is maintained as marshland and serves as a teaching resource for nature studies classes. Since 1991, the school nature reserve has been a fen of national importance (site SG1830) and the only original marshland area in the municipality of Benken. During a walk, you can take a look at the information board “Dragonflies – Elegant Masters of Flight” beside the bench.
Another focus for nature studies is Mösli, an amphibian spawning area of national importance (site SG367). It provides habitat for amphibians; the restoration measures also benefit various dragonflies, the grass snake and the sand lizard. Two other information boards cover different topics: At the Tschächli retirement home, “Linth Courses Through History” provides information about the old courses of the Linth. On Linthbettstrasse, near the turn-off to the forest hut, you will find the board “Bats – Secretive Neighbours.”
Maria Bildstein and sacred architecture
Maria Bildstein is located on the Benkner BĂĽchel and has been a place of power and tranquillity for 500 years. The pilgrimage church is accompanied by a grotto and Stations of the Cross trail, with various small-scale sacred structures that invite visitors to meditate. The trail is suitable for walkers and wheelchairs. If you rely on either, it is advisable to check the latest accessibility information before your visit.
Museums, church and carnival
The bakery museum is dedicated to baking, pastry-making and confectionery. It also displays three roadworthy vintage vehicles dating from 1899 to 1924. The Woodworm Sanatorium offers a different insight into the history of craftsmanship: it is a museum of old woodworking tools and equipment. Benken’s parish church was built between 1792 and 1795, adding a clearly dated historical reference to these museum and architecture themes.
Local carnival customs are also part of Benken’s cultural identity: Chesslätä, Türggä-Buzzi ufzie, Suppälöfflätä, Drägglizug, Türggä-Buzzi-Abzug and Verbrännätä. Those interested in local culture will find, alongside buildings and collections, a range of customs with their own distinctive names.
At the Linth Canal: swimming or an inflatable boat trip
The Linth Canal between Lake Walen and Lake Zurich was built around 200 years ago according to plans by Konrad Escher von der Linth. The municipality’s bathing spots along the canal are in Giessen on both sides of the Linth and in the 5. Gang by the footbridge. These are alternatives to a longer time on the water: the inflatable boat trip from Lake Walen to Lake Zurich is said to take around four hours, depending on water levels. There are launch and landing points in Giessen, among other places; participation is at your own risk. When planning, you should therefore take both water levels and launch and landing options into account.
Hiking with specified times and elevation profile
A T1 hiking route starts at Benken SG railway station and leads via Uznach to Schmerikon. It is 13.9 kilometres long, takes about three hours and 35 to 40 minutes, and has 324 metres of ascent and 333 metres of descent. The distance, approximate duration and elevation figures give you several concrete benchmarks when choosing a route. By contrast, a single information board providing a nature studies reference point is the focus of a walk through the school nature reserve.
Discover more destinations: Eschenbach, Ernetschwil, Goldingen, Hintergoldingen, Rapperswil-Jona, Uznach, Gommiswald, Schmerikon.
Go to the higher-level travel overview: See-Gaster.
