The Thur riverside trail passes through wooded areas along the Thur to Kradolf, then follows a tranquil tributary with a wide bank that makes a suitable place to rest. This offers a way to explore the hiking landscape of Kradolf-Schönenberg along the river. Other trails have different highlights: they lead to Bruederloch, viewpoints or medieval castle ruins. The museum and church windows also offer their own perspectives on local history. When choosing a base for your trip, you might first consider whether you would rather focus on riverside and hiking trails or cultural attractions during your stay.
Hiking between Iitobel, the Thur and castle ruins
The “Castle Ruins around Kradolf-Schönenberg” hiking route starts at Kradolf station. The “Through Iitobel” hike ends there, so the station is the starting point for one of these tours and the endpoint for the other. “Through Iitobel” follows Iitobelbach and climbs a steep flight of steps to Bruederloch, a cave that visitors can enter. Field paths along the route offer beautiful views of the Thur Valley and towards Ottenberg. If you plan to visit the cave, check the conditions on site. The “From Wuppenau to Kradolf” hike also ends in Kradolf.
The Gripspfad trail is about a five-minute walk from Kradolf station. If you specifically plan to visit this trail, it is advisable to check the access information in advance. This gives you a destination with an approximate walking time from the station, in addition to hikes that start or end in Kradolf.
The Thur riverside trail has a different landscape focus from “Through Iitobel”: the route description there features a stream, steep steps and a cave, while here the focus is on wooded sections along the Thur and a tributary with a wide bank. This difference can help you choose a tour if you would rather include a ravine trail leading to a cave or a route along the river in your plans.
Culture, architecture and medieval traces
The Kradolf-Schönenberg Firefighting Museum illustrates the history and evolution of firefighting through historic vehicles, equipment and other exhibits. The focus is both on the vehicles used and on the equipment and changes in firefighting practices. Guided tours for groups are available on request, including outside opening hours. If you are planning a tour, request your preferred date.
The artfully designed windows at the Steinacker church centre in Kradolf are a distinctive architectural feature. They include original stained-glass windows by Gian Casty and two windows by Rudolf Küenzi, added in 1994. The works mentioned therefore date from different periods, offering a specific reason to pay attention to the window designs during your visit.
The Ruinenweg trail leads to the remains of medieval Last Castle in Schönenberg. At Last Castle, a massive residential tower is visible; it probably dates from the 13th century. Anwil Castle in Buhwil still has part of its distinctive tower; the former moat to the west is also visible. The surviving traces differ: the residential tower stands out at Last, while the tower and moat are among the visible remains at Anwil.
The history of Kradolf can also be put into context through historical names and dates: the village was first mentioned in a document in 883 under the name Chreinthorf, in connection with the possessions of the Abbey of St. Gall. The historical spelling “Kraedorf” is documented from 1276. These early records provide a timeframe for the village’s history without conflating the later hiking and cultural attractions.
Kradolf by the river
Kradolf lies on the right bank of the Thur, where the river enters the plain. The village is also on the transport link between Weinfelden and Bischofszell. During your stay, you can consider the riverside landscape, hiking trails and cultural attractions as distinct highlights, then decide which ones you want to shape your trip.
Discover more destinations: Bischofszell, Hauptwil-Gottshaus, Zihlschlacht-Sitterdorf, Erlen.
Back to the main travel overview: Bischofszell.
