The 120-metre-long Ganggelisteg carries the Thur Trail across the river near Bussnang. It connects Bussnang with Weinfelden and makes a distinctive bridge structure part of a hiking route. Bussnang lies on the southern bank of the Thur, about two kilometres southwest of Weinfelden, in the district of the same name in the canton of Thurgau. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between individual sections of the trail and a complete stage: the Thur Trail stage from Weinfelden to Frauenfeld is 24 kilometres long in total and passes through Bussnang.
Hiking the Thur Trail and Local Paths
Marked hiking trails, as well as numerous country lanes, invite you to explore the municipality on foot. One dedicated themed trail is the Vermesser-Weg (Surveyors’ Trail), where information boards share facts about the art of surveying. If you are interested in a longer hike, the Thur Trail offers another option. Near Bussnang, the route crosses to the other side of the river again and follows a short stretch through the forest. Trail conditions can vary seasonally; check them before setting out. The stated 24 kilometres refer to the entire stage between Weinfelden and Frauenfeld, not just the section near Bussnang.
The Ganggelisteg is a prominent landmark along the way. Built in 1881, the wire-rope bridge is considered a local landmark and the only pylon cable bridge in Thurgau. The footbridge is also an official hiking trail across the Thur in central Thurgau. Compared with other bridges in the canton, its structure, as well as its approaches and access routes, has outstanding cultural-historical and engineering significance. This section of the trail brings together a river crossing, a hiking route and a distinctive example of civil engineering.
By Bike or on Inline Skates
Several cycling routes pass through the municipality. The circuit for the national Märwil cycle race also runs largely within Bussnang’s municipal boundaries. It is distinct from the hiking trails and the Thur Trail, which is an official hiking route here. If you arrive by bike at Bussnang railway station, you will find 16 covered bicycle parking spaces. For inline skaters, the road along the Furtbach is a good tip. These are different ways to explore Bussnang on the move; they do not form a single circular route.
Animals, Glacial Erratics and Outdoor Breaks
In the village of Bussnang, you can see a variety of birds and other animals in enclosures at Bussliger Zoo. The animals there include parrots, kangaroos, goats, ducks and koi carp. Bussnang also has several official fire pits, offering places to enjoy a picnic. If you would rather explore the history of the landscape, visit the BĂĽel Erratic Boulder Garden near Mettlen: it displays 67 erratic boulders from a gravel pit in Mettlen. The stones illustrate how they were transported by Ice Age glaciers. The zoo, fire pits and erratic boulder garden offer different experiences: wildlife watching, an outdoor break and a glimpse into the traces of the Ice Age.
Village History and Architecture
Opened in 1991, the Mettlen Village Museum offers insights into village life and crafts in a typical Thurgau village around 1900. Its exhibits include a village school and tools from traditional trades. In Bussnang itself, the Protestant Church of St Gallus is an important part of the village’s history: a new building dating from 1423 is thought to have been built on the site; the upper part of the tower dates from 1694, and the nave was extended in 1787. The choir windows retain fragments of stained glass from 1903, created by Friedrich Berbig.
The names and changes in ownership recorded in local history also reach far back. Bussnang is thought to have first appeared in a written record in 822 as “Pussinwanc”. In the Early Middle Ages, the Abbey of St Gall was the largest landowner in Bussnang; in the High Middle Ages, the Freiherren (barons) of Bussnang held rights over the area. Together with the church, museum and Ganggelisteg, this history offers different ways to discover the place: through its medieval records, the development of the village church, or its architectural and craft heritage.
Discover more destinations: Weingarten, Berg, Weinfelden, Wigoltingen, BĂĽrglen.
Back to the main travel overview: Weinfelden.
