Project description

 The idea of a geological cycle route was drawn from a wider landscape- and geology-oriented interpretation strategy, which was developed for the Office for Spatial Planning in the Canton of Thurgau in 2003. The strategy perfectly combines the leading efforts of the Office for Spatial Planning in geotope protection and development (see also the geotope inventory developed for the Canton) with the development of a new tourism profile of the Canton based on bicycle tourism. The geological cycle route represents a less crowded and more demanding alternative to the cycle paths around Lake Constance.

But what is likely to spark a cyclists' interest in geology? 

Unspectacular landscape as a challenge

 At first glance, most of the Thurgau's geotopes are not very spectacular. Hills and gentle valleys abound together with gravel and sand. It is the background stories that turn these geotopes into interesting places. For financial reasons, a fold-up Leporello rather than a full-scale brochure was chosen as the main interpretive medium.

According to Transinterpret standards, aspects had to be found that could capture the imagination of non-experts and were closely related to visible phenomena on site. The results are displayed in the German version of the category Tips for trips ("Ausflugtips") as the leaflet is currently only available in German .

Current state

The geological cycle route was opened in 2005 and awarded the Transinterpret Quality Label.