Toggenburg Story Trail

Wildhaus lies at about 1,100 metres at the head of the Toggenburg valley, in the canton of St. Gallen, facing a spectacular mountain wall. To the north rises the Säntis massif, while the south side of the valley is dominated by the Churfirsten, a chain of seven bare limestone peaks that drop in sheer cliffs toward Lake Walen. The scenery is open and wide, with meadows, farm buildings and long views, and the village has a reputation as a family holiday destination in both summer and winter.

The Story Trail belongs to this family-friendly profile. It is a themed walking route that combines a short hike with a game: instead of simply following signs, walkers collect clues, solve puzzles and piece together a story as they go, with a detective theme designed for puzzle lovers. Trails of this kind turn a walk into an adventure, which helps keep children engaged along the way and gives adults a reason to slow down and look around. The route is on mountain paths and tracks, so sturdy shoes are advisable and weather should be checked in advance. The surroundings of Wildhaus, Alt St. Johann and Unterwasser offer other trails, playgrounds and activities that can be combined into a full day.

The village has an important place in history. Wildhaus is the birthplace of Huldrych Zwingli, the reformer who led the Reformation in Zurich in the early sixteenth century, and the farmhouse where he was born is preserved and can be visited. The old wooden house sits in the meadow just outside the centre and gives a vivid impression of mountain farm life in the late Middle Ages.

The valley is also known for its music tradition. The Toggenburg has a distinctive style of yodelling and folk music, and the region promotes it through its sound trails and instruments. Visitors may come across sounding installations along walks and, at local events, hear the Toggenburg style of folk music.

From Unterwasser a cable car climbs to the Chäserrugg, a summit on the Churfirsten with a restaurant and wide views of the Alps, Lake Walen and the Rhine valley. Combined with the Story Trail, it makes a rewarding outing for families and for anyone who loves open mountain landscapes.