Eastern Switzerland
Churfirsten route
The majestic Churfirsten route on one side and the panoramic Säntis on the other takes you through the beautiful Obertoggenburg region from Wattwil via Nesslau to Wildhaus.
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The starting point for the journey on the Churfirsten route is Wattwil, Nesslau or Wildhaus. Postbuses pass through Upper Toggenburg’s picturesque and varied landscape on a half-hourly basis. You will see the majestic seven Churfirsten peaks on one side and the sublime Säntis massif on the other.
Meanwhile, the young Thur meanders through the green meadows on the valley’s floor. Many bus stops are the starting point for new experiences: traditions, sound, mountain railways, cheese, love stories, culinary delights, yodelling, hiking, winter sports and much more.
The peak in Wildhaus is just under 1,100 metres in altitude. Route 797 continues downhill through Simmitobel into the Rhine Valley and on to Buchs SG.
Highlights
- There’s hiking for young and old, for example on the Toggenburg mountain trailTarget not accessible.
- Skiing and sledging on the Sellamatt, on Iltios and Chäserrugg, in Oberdorf or on Alp Gamplüt.
- Visit Werdenberg, the smallest city in Switzerland with a medieval timber settlement, Werdenberg Castle on Lake Werdenberg and the Schlangenhaus museum and experience the region’s culture up close.
The variety of ski lifts in Obertoggenburg:
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1
Postbus stop: Wildhaus, Dorf
Alp Gamplüt cable car on the sunny side of the Toggenburg
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2
Postbus stop: Wildhaus, Lisighaus
Wildhaus ski lifts will take you to a family-friendly ski and hiking area.
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3
Postbus stop: Unterwasser, Chäserrugg Bahn
Funicular railway to Iltios and cable car to Chäserrugg: panoramic hikes, great skiing and world-class architecture from Herzog & de Meuron
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4
Postbus stop: Alt St. Johann, Dorf
Gondola/chairlift to Alp Sellamatt, where the Klangweg or Sagenweg trails begin
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5
Postbus stop: Starkenbach
The SelunbahnTarget not accessible cable car offers breathtaking views up to the Toggenburg mountain trail and the Wildenmannlisloch.
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Hiking tip: along an early section of the Thur river
The hike takes you along an early section of the Thur river through a picturesque and varied landscape. It begins in Unterwasser. Accompanied by the gentle sounds of the fledgling Thur river, the trail takes you via Chlostobel to Alt St. Johann. Following the right bank of the river, the trail takes you to Starkenbach, through the narrow part of the valley and past the former Starkenstein Castle. The trail continues through Bratzenmoos along the wild and romantic Thurtobel. Here the forest is teeming with plants that thrive in the moist environment. Once you pass the three Giessen waterfalls with a small power plant, you will soon see the village of Nesslau.
You can start or stop the hike from Unterwasser as you wish. The first stage from Unterwasser, Post to Starkenbach is wheelchair accessible (4.6 km).
Difficulty level |
Easy |
Length |
12.5 km |
Altitude difference |
100 metres uphill / 250 metres downhill |
Outward journey |
Unterwasser, Post |
Return journey |
Nesslau-Neu St. Johann, Bahnhof |
