Au between Heldsberg and the Rhine
The narrow passage between Heldsberg and the Rhine has made Au a transit area since antiquity. The landscape opens out north of Heldsberg; at the same time, the Rhine shapes the town and flows towards nearby Lake Constance. Vineyard trails, wetland and dry habitats, and local history offer different starting points for a stay. You can explore Au through its landscape and trails, or focus on local cultural sites and their history.
Hikes and trails
The Monsteiner Rebweg trail offers informative insights into viticulture. Information boards cover the subject and provide historical background. The signposted hike through Au’s vineyards starts either at the municipal building or at the viewpoint high up in Hard. You can choose between these two starting points when planning your walk. The Rebweg is accessible by train and bus; check the timetable for your connection before setting off.
Another option, covering a different distance, is the Rhine Valley Industrial Trail: it runs from Rheineck to RĂĽthi, is 40.3 kilometres long, and can be hiked in one or more stages. The NeugrĂĽt barbecue area is located along the route near Berneck/Au. While viticulture and its history are the focus of the Monsteiner Rebweg, the Industrial Trail offers a longer route that can be split into several stages.
The region also has a network of five trails, each with three routes of varying difficulty. The information board for this trail network is by the playground at the junction of Römerstrasse and Brändlistrasse. In Au, you can therefore find both a trail focused on viticulture and information about the regional trails and a multi-stage hike.
Wetland and dry habitats
The Mösli, Schlipf and Mennweg nature reserves differ in their habitats. Mösli is a locally significant wetland nature reserve that is not grazed. Along the Haldenbach lies a small waterlogged hollow characterised by reeds. Schlipf and Mennweg, by contrast, are dry nature reserves. On the steep slope between Meldeggwald and Langmoosstrasse, Schlipf has species-rich Mesobromion grassland, with vineyards between and to the west. Mennweg includes a nutrient-poor meadow with small scabious (Scabiosa columbaria) to the south, west and north of the small woodland on the castle hill. Those interested in nature and landscapes can explore the different features of Au’s surroundings, from wetlands and dry slopes to nutrient-poor meadows.
Culture and local history
The churches and Kino Theater Madlen also offer concrete points of connection to local cultural history. The Catholic church in Au was completed in 1925 and is considered a landmark of Au and the Unterrheintal. The foundation stone of the Protestant church was laid on 18 October 1953. It was standing by 10 October 1954, greeting visitors from the valley. Its organ has 1,105 pipes: 1,033 made of metal and 72 of wood.
Kino Theater Madlen offers films, a theatre stage, cabaret, concerts and talks; the programme changes. In Heerbrugg, the Ton-Film-Theater Madlen was officially opened on 15 May 1949 with the film “Weisses Gold”. If you are planning a visit, check the current programme. The histories of the churches and the cinema offer different points of focus, from the dates relating to the Protestant church and its organ to the opening of the Ton-Film-Theater.
Getting to Au
For travel by public transport, Heerbrugg railway station is an important regional transport hub. It is served by express trains and, with its large bus station, is the region’s transport interchange. Check the timetables for your connection before travelling. By car, Au is directly connected to the Swiss national road network via the A13. The A13 runs via Lindau, St. Margrethen, San Bernardino and Bellinzona to Milan. You can plan your choice of transport separately from your interests in the area: trails and landscapes offer nature and outdoor activities, while the churches and cinema focus on cultural history.
Discover more destinations: Rüthi, Marbach, Altstätten, Balgach, Diepoldsau, Widnau, Oberriet, Rheineck
View the regional travel overview: Rhine Valley.
