Diepoldsau lies mostly east of the Rhine; the Old Rhine forms the border with Austria. The river landscape shapes the character of the area and the choice of activities: the natural swimming beach is on the Old Rhine, and several routes for exercise run along the water or through the municipality.
River Landscape and Local History
Diepoldsau is a political municipality and locality in the Rheintal constituency of the canton of St. Gallen in eastern Switzerland. The place name is documented from 890; in 1129, King Frederick gave the Diepoldsau estate to the Abbey of St. Gallen. The course of the Rhine has also changed: the Diepoldsau Rhine cut was newly created in 1923 as part of the regulation of the Alpine Rhine. These dates provide historical context for the area’s present-day border location.
Swimming on the Old Rhine
Diepoldsau Lido is a natural outdoor swimming pool on the Old Rhine. The facility is fed by groundwater; the water is of drinking-water quality and contains no chemical additives. The natural swimming beach invites visitors to swim from April to September, although the exact operating dates may vary from year to year. Check the dates for the relevant season before your visit.
The facilities offer a range of options in the water: there is a shallow pool and a swimming pool, as well as a diving facility with 1-, 3- and 5-metre boards. There are also slides, a pirate island and a beach volleyball court. The options range from swimming and diving to play and exercise on land. If your visit is primarily for swimming, you can take the seasonal dates into account when planning.
Paths and Exercise by the Water
The Vita-Parcours runs along the Old Rhine and offers opportunities to run and work out in a natural setting. The accessible cross-border circular walk along the Old Diepoldsau Rhine offers a different perspective: it follows the Diepoldsau bank to the Schmitter Bridge and returns along the Lustenau riverside path. The two options have different focuses: the Vita-Parcours is primarily for running and training, while the circular walk follows the riverbank across the border and back. As trail conditions can change, check them before setting out.
There is also a described route through the village for cyclists. The Binnenkanal Tour passes through Diepoldsau and, after crossing the Rhine again, continues through its floodplain to Kriessern. Unlike the circular walk, this route ends in Kriessern; its course connects Diepoldsau with the floodplain on the other side of the second Rhine crossing.
Border History and Structures
The “Rohr” on the Old Rhine is a place of historical significance: during the Second World War, it served as an escape route to Switzerland for people fleeing persecution. The border between Austria and Switzerland runs right through the “Rohr”. Here, local history and the border can be explored in a specific place.
The bridges also feature different designs. Diepoldsau has a cable-stayed bridge with harp-like cable arrangements. The Riet Bridge is a steel truss bridge built in 1913 over the Alpine Rhine. Those interested in construction and architecture will find two different solutions here: harp-like cable arrangements on the one hand and a steel truss on the other.
The “Room of Silence” is a solid oak structure and is open to the public. Check access arrangements before your visit. This lets you include a visit to this cultural site in your plans, while the paths along the Old Rhine and the river’s history reveal other facets of Diepoldsau.
Bus Connections
Rheintal Bus AG (RTB) serves Diepoldsau daily with more than 120 connections. As service frequency may change with timetable revisions, check the current timetable for your planned travel date.
Discover more destinations: Rheineck, St. Margrethen, Marbach, Berneck, Oberriet, Rüthi, Au, Altstätten
Go to the main travel overview: Rheintal.
