Espel Viewing Platform – Gossau–Flawil Cycle Route loop from Wahlkreis Wil

Bike touring routes & trails

Espel Viewing Platform – Gossau–Flawil Cycle Route loop from Wahlkreis Wil

Moderate

4.2

(5)

riders

Espel Viewing Platform – Gossau–Flawil Cycle Route loop from Wahlkreis Wil

01:15

20.0km

160m

Cycling

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: September 17, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Schutzgebiet «Ehemalige Kiesgrube Espel»

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

77 m

Sunset View of Bichwil

Highlight • Viewpoint

Nice tour

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2.23 km

Maestrani’s Chocolarium — The Swiss Chocolate Factory Experience

Highlight • Structure

In the Chocolarium in Flawil you can discover the world of chocolate and enjoy it extensively. You can reserve entry tickets in advance on the website.

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7.17 km

Burgau SG
Burgau is a settlement in the municipality of Flawil with around 120 inhabitants and around 35 houses. With its historic wooden buildings, Burgau resembles a medieval town and has a townscape of national importance.
Burgau was first mentioned in a document in 964. In 1079 there was a first fortification over the Glatt.
In 1166 the rule of the Gielen von der Glattburg began. With the so-called Burgauer Offnung, a law book that recorded traditional customs, “the court members of the Burgau lower court came to an agreement in 1469 with their lord, the knight Rudolf IX. Giel von Glattburg on 114 determinations». In 1486, rule and jurisdiction went to the St. Gallen Abbey. In the Abbot bailiwick of Schwarzenbach, Burgau formed its own lower court. The neighboring towns of Oberglatt, Raaschberg and Alterwil, on the other hand, belonged to the Magdenau court.[1] At that time, 19 families lived in Burgau.
The court house was built in 1632 by Ammann Peter Moosberger, an ancestor of the current owner and the poet C. F. Meyer. In 1639 the courtroom was added. The canvas dealers Egli and Stadler from Burgau caused the church to be built in Oberglatt in 1783 with donations of money.
In 1803, the mediation brought about the dissolution of the court. In 1825 the Burgau village corporation was formed. In 1890 the school merged with the Flawil school community. Around 1900, 185 people lived in Burgau, most of whom made a living from agriculture and from weaving and embroidery (domestic industry).[1] The merger of the Burgau village corporation with the political community took place in April 1953. The 1000th anniversary of the historic hamlet was celebrated with a village festival in 1964. Today Burgau presents itself purely as a place of residence.
Text/Source: Wikipedia
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burgau_SG

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7.27 km

Burgau

Highlight • Historical Site

Old historical hamlet, Toggenburg restaurant.

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7.94 km

Pedestrian and rail bridge over the Glatt

Highlight • Bridge

Columbanweg bridge over the Glatt, Gossau - Flawil

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8.34 km

Espel Viewing Platform

Highlight • Viewpoint

Visitors can explore the Espel conservation area on a circular route. The remaining areas are deliberately reserved for nature and may not be entered.
In addition to several benches, a wooden observation platform at the southern entrance to the area provides a deeper insight into the area. The water dwellers can be observed from the step-like sandstone footbridge at the former tailings pond in the north.
In order to provide visitors to the Espel conservation area with further information about flora and fauna, various themed boards have been installed along the circular route. Interested visitors can use the QR code shown on it to call up ecological and nature conservation content about the area.

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