Erlebniswelt Toggenburg

Wildhaus is a village in the Toggenburg, the upper valley of the river Thur in the canton of St. Gallen, at about 1,090 metres above sea level. It sits on a broad saddle between two very different mountain ranges: to the north the rugged Alpstein massif with the Säntis, and to the south the Churfirsten, a long wall of seven limestone peaks that rises steeply above the Walensee. The location gives Wildhaus an open, sunny character and a view that stretches along the valley, and it is the base for a family-oriented holiday region that promotes itself under the name Erlebniswelt Toggenburg, meaning the Toggenburg adventure world.

The Toggenburg is a region with a strong cultural identity. It is an area of scattered farmsteads, alpine pastures and wooden houses, and it is known for a living folk music tradition that combines yodelling, the sound of cowbells and a distinctive style of dance music played by small ensembles. The tradition, called the Toggenburger Hausmusik in part, is cultivated in village inns and at festivals, and it is the inspiration for sound-themed attractions in the area, including a sound world and listening trails that invite visitors to explore music and noise in the landscape. The theme suits children as well as adults, since it encourages them to listen, touch and try instruments, and it gives a rainy-day alternative to walks.

Wildhaus has a place in the history of the Reformation. It is the birthplace of Huldrych Zwingli, the reformer of Zürich, who was born in 1484 in a farmhouse that still stands and can be visited as a small museum. The house shows how a prosperous mountain farming family lived at the time, and it is a reminder that the Reformation had roots in rural communities as well as in cities. The village church and the surrounding landscape give context to the story.

Nature is the other draw. The Thur rises in the surrounding hills, and near Unterwasser, in the valley below, it falls over a set of waterfalls known as the Thurwasserfälle, which are easy to visit on a short walk and especially full in spring and after rain. The Chäserrugg, one of the Churfirsten peaks, can be reached by cable car from Unterwasser, and its summit restaurant, designed by the Basel architects Herzog and de Meuron, has views over the Walensee and the Alps. Walking trails cover the valley and the ridges, and in winter the area has ski slopes, toboggan runs and cross-country trails, so the holiday season runs all year.

The region is easy to reach by road and by bus connections from the railway at Buchs or Nesslau, and parking is available at the main sites, though the specific attractions and prices change, so check the local tourist office's website. The area suits families with children, walkers and anyone interested in folk culture and the Reformation. Mountain weather can change fast, so bring layers and rain protection. Allow a full day for the village and one or two attractions, and more if you plan to hike.