The “Rond om Bühler” themed hiking trail leads from Bühler railway station via Steig and Weissegg to Hohe Buche, down to Weissbach and back towards the station via Kriegersmühle and Steinleuten. This lets you explore Bühler along a specific route rather than simply heading to individual places on a map. The route is about 8.8 kilometres long, with an estimated walking time of around 3 hours and 15 minutes. Allow extra time for breaks to enjoy the views and for stops along the way. The trail is also connected to other routes in the cantonal hiking network.

Hiking Trails, Views and Exercise

On Bühler’s territory, Hohe Buche viewpoint and the restaurant of the same name are located at 1,130 metres above sea level. In good visibility, the view extends across Fürstenland and Lake Constance to the Allgäu, the Vorarlberg Alps and the snow-capped peaks of Central Switzerland. Visibility is a key factor when planning a visit to this viewpoint: good conditions are essential for enjoying the panorama.

For winter outings, there is the Steig–Gern–Hohe Buche hiking trail. It is open when snow conditions are good. Another way to exercise is on the Finnenbahn in Bühler: this circular track is designed for cross-country running and jogging. So there are two different options: a longer hike with named stops along the way, and a circular track for training.

Bühler also has three intergenerational Hopp-La playgrounds, which can be linked into a circuit because they are close to one another. Here, the focus is on several nearby stations, rather than a route like the “Rond om Bühler” trail. When planning your day, you can choose between a longer route, a circuit on the Finnenbahn and a playground circuit.

Textile History and Buildings

The Reformed church has shaped the village’s appearance since 1723. Linen weaving offers another glimpse into Bühler’s history: it became an important branch of industry and commerce, and the textile industry experienced its first heyday during the community’s founding years. A figure from 1829 offers a concrete illustration: at the time, Bühler had 15 manufacturers and 236 weavers.

Education and the textile trade are also linked in the local history. In 1834, manufacturer Johann Heinrich Sutter built the canton’s first upper secondary school in Bühler. It was intended to give children more education and a way into the textile industry. The church, weaving and schoolhouse represent different aspects of the town’s history—from shaping the village’s appearance to linking education with commerce.

In Bühler, the Türmlihaus is listed in the Federal Inventory of Monuments, Ensembles and Archaeological Sites of Regional Importance. Another piece of local history is the “Coiffeur-Brüggli”: this wooden bridge crosses the Rotbach and was donated by hairdresser Ledergerber. The old Hohe Buche mule track is also associated with a historical tradition. It is said to have led from St. Gallen across the Appenzell heights into the St. Gallen Rhine Valley and onwards to Chur; Paracelsus is also said to have used this route.

Annual Events in Bühler

The Advent market takes place every year on the weekend before the first Sunday of Advent. Its stalls are set up inside the upper secondary school and the community hall, making the market weather-independent. If you are planning your visit around the market, it is best to check the dates and venues for that year’s event.

The Bühler Cattle Breeding Association organises and holds the cattle show every year on a Saturday in autumn. In the morning, families parade with their decorated animals. Afterwards, the animals can be admired in the cattle-show meadow in Hermoos, opposite the upper secondary school. Since the specific arrangements may change, it is worth checking the date and details of that year’s show before visiting.

The Silvesterchläuse are also part of the annual tradition. In Bühler, they go from house to house from early morning, wishing everyone “es guets Neus” (“a happy New Year”) with reverent singing and Zäuerli yodels. If you are planning a visit specifically for this event, check whether it will take place locally in the season concerned.

Discover more destinations: Gais, Teufen, Speicher, Trogen.

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