ViaJacobi, Stage 22/33

The hike starts in Märstetten, home to the almost thousand-year-old St. Jakob’s Church, which houses an impressive painting of the Last Judgement. This stage affords majestic views of Affeltrangen and Tobel and even out as far as the Hörnli mountain. The end point of the route is the village of Fischingen in the Canton of Thurgau.

From the Märstetten, Muggenwinggel bus stop, the yellow-waymarked hiking trail heads out into the open Thurgau countryside. Passing through meadows, fields and small settlements, this long day stage initially leads eastwards via Amlikon and Kaltenbrunnen. The elevation differences remain moderate, but 27 kilometres and around seven hours require stamina.

After Thürn, the route reaches St. Margarethen. Standing directly beside the trail is the late Gothic chapel, consecrated in 1642 and visited by pilgrims on the Schwabenweg route to Santiago de Compostela. Shortly afterwards come the more densely built-up sections around Münchwilen. The trail follows the Murg for several kilometres. The more rural final section begins at EW Weiher.

Beyond Wiezikon and Anwil, the final and more noticeable ascent begins. Stretches of woodland alternate with open farmland. After Oberwangen, the route reaches its highest point near Waltensberg at just under 700 metres. From there, the trail descends to Fischingen, where the hike ends by the monastery, close to the bus stop of the same name.