Hike to Ittingen Charterhouse in Thurgau

Throughout the week we were sure whether we would be able to do a whole hike on Saturday with dry feet. The weather forecasters have prophesied terrible rainy weather for us. Without further ado, we decided to head for the eastern tip of Switzerland for a short trip, as the probability of rain there was a bit lower compared to the rest of Switzerland. Yesterday morning I realized, it doesn’t look that bad. Here and there, even timid sunshine pushed through the cloud cover. The decision was thus made and we packed our backpacks for a leisurely hike through the Thurgau cultural landscape. Because despite my Thurgau roots, I hardly know this corner of Switzerland – so it’s high time to go on a discovery tour in Eastern Switzerland.

The 9.37 train in the direction of Konstanz was filled to the last seat. The bad weather forecast probably prompted some to dedicate Saturday to shopping again. At some point I’ll also make it into this Konstanz (no, I’ve really never been there before), but on this Saturday we left the train in Frauenfeld. From there we took the post bus in a northerly direction for about 20 minutes over the Thur to Nussbaumen.

Start of the hike in Nussbaumen

The small village of Nussbaumen is the starting point for Route 918 of Switzerland Mobil. The special thing about this hiking trail is that it is one of the obstacle-free paths. These routes (divided into three levels of difficulty) have been planned in such a way that they are also feasible for wheelchair users. In other words: no ledges, no steps, no steep inclines, gravel paths without turf and rootstocks… in this respect, it is also ideal for those of you who want to go on a “comfortable” hike with the stroller. If you are not dependent on the obstacle-free paths, you will also find alternative paths along this route, which lead through the landscape on narrower paths and sometimes with steeper gradients and cross the obstacle-free path from time to time.

We leave walnut trees behind us and walk on a wide dirt road past apple orchards that are in full bloom. Dandelions bloom on the lush green meadows and in front of us in the plain there are farms in the landscape like individual islands. Pure idyll. Even the tractor chugging through the rapeseed fields doesn’t bother here.

After crossing a short stretch of forest that delights us with its delicate spring green, we reach the three lakes in the plain between walnut trees and Buch. The shore areas are nature reserves and if you have enough time and binoculars, you can spot one or two interesting birds.

Afterwards, the route leads again on dirt roads through the varied cultural landscape. Past peacefully grazing cows and with a view of the ruins of Helfenberg – a medieval castle. Apart from a lonely rider, there is no one to meet us on the way. The ideal route to simply clear your head and recharge your batteries. Now it’s especially lovely in spring, because the sprouting greenery and the fruit trees in full bloom are a real delight to the eye.

Shortly before Warth we follow the signpost in the direction of the Ittingen Charterhouse. The area of the former monastery complex with an 850-year-old history is the crowning glory of our leisurely Saturday tour. The Charterhouse is now used as a cultural and seminar centre. We first fortify ourselves in the restaurant Mühle with a Carthusian pan and a mill plate. Many of the products on the menu come directly from the Carthusian estate. Due to lack of time, we do not take a look at the monastery shop and the actually obligatory Ittinger Museum. For a walk through the blooming splendour of the garden, however, it is just enough before we take the post bus back to Frauenfeld.

Important information about the hike to the Ittingen Charterhouse

The map shows our route. The route is about 11 km long and mostly flat. The pure runtime is around 2.5 hours. The starting point Nussbaumen Schulhaus can be reached by post bus from Frauenfeld. It takes about 5 minutes to walk from the Ittingen Charterhouse to the Warth Kreuz post bus stop. The post bus runs every hour. More information about the hike can be found here: Nussbaumen – Kartause Ittingen