Hike over Mount Schauenberg near Winterthur, Turbenthal to Elgg

Sunday June 16th, 2024 -- The start of another vacation week which is not looking too promising with good hiking weather for us (always either very overcast or the promise of very high temperatures later in the week)... 

The best forecast was for the Toggenburg area between Zurich and Lake Bodensee in the north, so we headed that way with our original plan to hike up a mountain called Hörnli in the valley of the Töss River, but we changed directions along the way as the webcams were showing clearer skies in the area of the city of Winterthur further north. What we ended up with was a satisfying walk to the summit of a small mountain called Schauenberg, also the site of fortress ruins dating back to the mid-13th Century, and a most fantastic 360-degree view across Switzerland and Germany, most surprising as the summit is only at 890 meters above sea level! 

The only downside was that even though the skies were clear here, the clouds have been sitting on the alpine mountaintops for weeks now, obscuring some of the better-known peaks. Still, we were able to recognize the Churfirsten mountains, Mount Titlis, the Mythen mountains, and obviously Mount Rigi, which one can see from almost everywhere in the northern part of the country.

We specifically chose the route which started in a town called Turbenthal (also on the Töss River) and ended further north in Elgg, as both at the start and end we were able to walk through lush forested gorges with lovely flowing rivers. We don't often stop for refreshments along the way, but this time treated ourselves to ice-cream sundaes and Panachés at an old mill along the way! And along the way once again were very many linden trees giving off their lovely perfume, as they are currently in full bloom!

On our way north of Zurich we studied webcams and weather maps and hiking maps to figure out that this would be a good place to start a hike, as we could see that there were a couple of small ravines on the way. The trail markers in Turbenthal show that Schauenberg is a view-point, and Elgg will take 3½ hours, which is do-able. And there was another ravine on the Elgg side. 

Walking through Turbenthal on our way to the small ravine called Hutziker Tobel

A modern church with large stained-glass windows. We did not detour there, though. 

An Internet search shows that this shrub with the lovely flower clusters is called Deutzia. There is also a bee on this photo!

As we changed plans along the way, our travel time was longer than expected, so we only started our hike in Turbenthal at 11:30. Even though this was not our original plan, we ended up enjoying the walk. It wasn't too hot, and the view on Mt.Schauenberg was better than we expected. We also picked this trail because of the small gorges on both sides. 

Walking along the pretty Hutziker stream. 

This kind of small ravine is called a Tobel in Switzerland. This part was flat, but the ravine grew deeper as we got further in. 

One of many cool waterwheels mounted in the Hutzikerbach. (Bach = Stream)

Along the way we saw very many interesting water wheels in the stream. A sign along the way indicated that these were built and mounted by a private individual named Fritz and his grandson Niels!

VIDEO:

Water troughs at work!

It was lovely and cool in the Hutziker Tobel, with many waterfalls and stairways. 

On our way up the mountain we spotted several of these flowers called "Türkenbund" (Martagon Lily). In the Winterthur region, the flower is an endangered and therefore protected species and it is illegal to pick them. We don't see these often, so it's always a pleasure to find them. 

And then we discovered this plant, which turns out to be a Marsh Orchid, and very possibly one of the types of orchids we were looking for a couple of weeks earlier on our "orchid hike" in Canton Luzern!

Heading up to the summit of Mt. Schauenberg, much of the trail was on wide roads like this. Fortunately it was not hot. 

Shortly before the summit we join Trail no.69: "Züri-Oberland Höhenweg", i.e. the Zürich Oberland High Trail. From here it's 20 minutes to the summit, and another 90 minutes or so from there to our destination in Elgg. 

A really nice view to the northeast into the Thurgau region and toward Lake Constance. The town in the back is called Aadorf, and is right on the Canton border with Zurich. Our destination of Elgg is to the left of that (Canton Zurich) but not visible from here. 

We see these columbines everywhere in the forests. 

At 1:20 p.m. we reached the summit of Mount Schauenberg, where only a bit of the walls remain from the Schauenberg Fortress (mentioned in documents of 1260). In 1343, the local parliament decided the fortress must be destroyed because it was suspected that there was money counterfeiting going on. Later the location served as a signal point. 

An artist's rendering of what the Schauenberg fortress tower probably looked like. Although the foundation of the simple tower is from about the year 1200, it it speculated that the Romans spent some time on this hill from about 15AD to 400AD, and that it was possibly also settled in the Bronze Ages. 

We found ourselves a nice spot in the corner with a view to the north across the Zurich Oberland. In the back is the town of Elgg, which is our goal for the day. Being 1:30 p.m., it was high time for our picnic lunch!

This view now is more to the west

Close-up view to the Alps in the south. We can even see Mount Titlis (in the center) from here. Also the Mythen peaks on the left and Mount Rigi, obviously. 

Down below us along the crest is the other trail, the one that comes up from Kolbrunn (Trail no.69, "Züri Oberland Höhenweg"). The cows below have a large free-run area and they were running around and playing the whole time. 

This interesting set-up allows you to pinpoint a mountain peak within the small window, and follow the line exactly to the diagram, showing the name of the peak. 

(I didn't photograph this correctly. There is a little cone with a point in the center of the window at the back, which you can focus on a mountain peak, and then follow the line to the name of the mountain.) From this panel, it looks like you can see the entire alpine range from east to west from here. 

I recognize the Churfirsten mountains as well. 

Many people up here enjoying a picnic and the view! For a change, the large number of people here didn't bother me. 

Time to continue down the north side of the mountain. This is obviously a popular excursion goal, particularly on a Sunday. 

At 2 p.m. we are continuing with out walk, having now joined another themed trail called the "Tüfelschilen-Schauenberg Weg", Trail no.872. 

This particular trail actually starts in Kolbrunn (on the same train line as Turbenthal, where we started), but that would have been an almost 5-hour hike, and too long for us. So the part we walked was from Schauenberg to Elgg. The description is correct about it being an ideal spot for a picnic break! We enjoyed the Farenbach gorge, but didn't end up visiting the town center of Elgg. 

Heading down the north side of the mountain toward Elgg. This is all still in Canton Zurich, although the border with Thurgau is only a couple of kilometers to the east. 

It was a warm enough day for those kids to enjoy splashing in the wather trough! The baby ahead of us had lost a shoe which we had found on the steps here, and returned to the dad, who had come up looking for it. 

Another nice forest section 

More lovely rolling hills and meadows. There was a large amount of paved roads here as well, but no issue when going downhill!

A look behind us to the summit of Schauenberg, where we had descended from. 

One of many fabulous Linden Trees along the way, currently in full bloom and giving off a lovely perfume. 

A field of grain full of blue flowers, and just a hint of red!

Close-up of the blue flowers, so pretty!

Here in the forest even the birds have a street address!

Along our trail was this restaurant called Guhwilmühle, the site of an old mill. We decided we would stop here for refreshments (always a Panaché and ice cream if possible). 

Very cute and cozy place to stop for refreshments. We went to the back around the building as there were fewer people there, and more shade. 

The sign on this building read "Wöschhüsli 1877" which means this used to be an old wash house.

Urs saw that the restaurant was offering fresh strawberries, so he ordered himself a custom-made "Coupe Romanoff", one of Switzerland's favourite ice-cream sundaes. 

Because this used to be a mill, the waterwheel is still in operation, and it turns the rotisserie meats above the grill fire!

Now we are entering the second gorge, the Farenbachtobel

Walking through the Farenbachtobel

There was a lake at the north end of the gorge. 

Up ahead is the village of Elgg. We didn't do a detour into the village, as the train station was directly on this side of the village. As it was now already 4 p.m., we figured it was time to head home. 

Always some cute decorations along the way. 

More beautiful roses

Often there is a restaurant next to the train station, and the restaurant is often called "Bahnhöfli" (= "Little Train Station"). We got here with just a couple of minutes to spare for the 16:34 train. (We were home by 6:15 p.m.)

What our hike looks like on Google Satellite Maps

Location of Turbenthal in Switzerland. This area is the Zurich Oberland and Canton Thurgau.