Schwarzenbach to Lütisburg along the Thur River Trail

Sunday February 12, 2023 -- The lovely weather continues, so we are out walking as often as possible!

After two winter/snow hikes (last Wednesday and yesterday), we wanted to see green again, and decided on an easy walk along a river, this time the Thur River in the northeastern part of Switzerland. Usually I get very tired doing riverside walks, but this stretch along the Thur River was a nice combination of forest, riverside, farms and meadow trails.. Stretches along paved roads were no problem, as there was plenty of variety. The only drawback was that it was a very hazy day, and it would have been nice to see the mountains more clearly.

The Thur River is a 131-km long river in the northeast of Switzerland, with its source on the flanks of Mt.Säntis in the Alpstein Massif. It flows through the Cantons of St.Gallen, Thurgau (named after the river) and Zurich, where it enters the Rhine River south of Schaffhausen. There is a 160-km themed trail which you can follow in stages, and on this day we did half of Stage 3, from Schwarzenbach near Wil, and walking south to Lütisburg. Of particular interest was the wooden covered bridge across the Thur River at the latter location, and the fabulous Guggenloch railway viaduct. Also, this stretch is under special natural protection, and is considered one of the most valuable landscapes in Switzerland. 

In all it was a good day for this hike. Sometimes warm enough without a jacket, and sometimes a cold wind blowing. But lots of sunshine at about 6 ⁰C.

We started our hike at 10:15 at the Thur Bridge (Railway Bridge) in Schwarzenbach, just south of the city of Wil

The Thur River flows through three Cantons. This stretch is in Canton St.Gallen. We walked just over 12 km from Schwarzenbach to Lütisburg station. 

We had mostly pleasant meadow and forest trails, and most of them were dry. There are very many farms with fruit trees here, and it will be magnificent when they are blossoming. 

Once in a while we had a view of the Thur River

Several such forest stretches

A couple of detours to the river shore. This whole stretch is a nationally protected landscape

We passed several very unique buildings in the forest near the river.

The buildings were all different shapes, lots of them like "tiny houses". This one had a mailbox to match!

Another look down at the Thur River

Right next to the river: A Hexagon house and a swimming pool. Most likely a "summer cabin". 

We had to make a detour through the town of Jonschwil, where we found a small hill with some benches, where we had our picnic lunch. We didn't stay long, because there was a cold wind blowing

Our picnic lunch spot. This hill is called "Burg" because the Jonschwil fortress used to be here.  

This bird was sitting on the branch, but as soon as you stop to focus your camera, they fly away! As long as you keep walking, they remain sitting for a while. 

Heading back down toward the river again, we passed through this lovely farm area. Across the river is the town of Bazenheid

The trail goes right past the farm houses. 

There was no enclosure for the sheep on this large clearing, and the babies were playing all over the road! 

Being watched very carefully by a Mom, to make sure we didn't get too close to the babies!

In several places we passed eroded cliffs, many with large icicles due to dripping water

At the hydro power dam in Mühlau, we saw an interesting fish ladder, which are common constructions around power dams, so that the fish can find their way around the dam to the lower part of the river.

Walking along Trail no.24: "Thurweg" (Thur River Trail). Our goal from here is Lütisburg Station, having started in Schwarzenbach. In all just over three hours. 

Enjoying the sunshine

A small farming hamlet called Haslen. We usually like these pasture trails, but at this time of year they are muddy, slippery and difficult to walk. Sometimes the paved roads are preferable. 

In Lütisburg, the Necker River joins the Thur River here below the St.Michael's Catholic Church

A quick look inside the St.Michael's Church

I always admire the organs. This is quite a unique one, the full width of the church

St.Michael's Catholic church in Lütisburg

We stopped here for a coffee break before continuing to the train station, which was actually another 30 minutes to walk!

The wooden covered bridge over the Thur River in Lütisberg, and the fabulous train viaduct in the background. 

The wooden covered bridge was built in 1789. 

A look back at the beautiful wooden covered bridge over the River Thur at Lütisburg

And now we pass under the magnificent Guggenloch railway viaduct, 152m long. 

This was the original iron railway bridge, built 1870-1875, and replaced by the stone bridge in 1945. The photo shows the stone bridge under construction, while the iron bridge is still in use. 

Once we got to the level of the railway line, we got this view of the town of Ganterschwil on the east side of the Thur River

Here at the train station in Lütisburg is where we ended our hike at 3 p.m., although we had enough daylight to walk the next village of Bütschwil. The air was very hazy this day, and we could not see the mountains very well. 

Our train heading south to Wattwil, which is the other end of Stage 3 of the Thur River Trail. 

What our 12-km stretch along the Thur River Trail looks like on Google Satellite Maps. 

On the way to Wattwil by train, we spot the medieval-looking village of Liechtensteig, which we hope to visit soon when we walk the second part of Stage 3 of the trail. 

A glimpse of the Churfirsten mountains just before we reach Wattwil (change of trains there). 

The location of this section of the Thur River, just south of the city of Wil. This area is also part of the Toggenburg. 

Other hikes we have done in the Toggenburg region of northeastern Switzerland