Oberriet combines natural attractions with clearly visible traces of history: from a guided cave tour and a protected mountain summit to exhibitions about life in the region in earlier times. You can tailor your stay to landscapes, archaeology or culture.
Kobelwald Crystal Cave and getting there
The Kobelwald Crystal Cave is located in the municipality of Oberriet in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley, at the foot of the Alpstein region. The accessible cave has flowing water and a large crystal deposit, and is considered unique in Switzerland. One clear condition applies to visits: the cave can only be explored with a cave guide.
Bus route 332 runs directly to Kobelwald, making it possible to travel to the cave by bus. From the P3 “Tanzplatz” car park, it is about a ten-minute walk to the cave. Allow time for this walk and the guided tour, and check the latest travel and visitor information before your trip.
Montlinger Bergli: landscape and Bronze Age
The extensive summit of Montlinger Bergli is listed as “Montlingerberg Landscape Protection Area,” site no. 15, in the municipality of Oberriet’s nature and landscape protection inventory. A circular trail has been laid out on the summit, offering views from previously inaccessible spots. The site’s history can also be seen in the rampart: it was built in the Late Bronze Age, in the 11th century BC, and was around 120 metres long, 27 metres wide and 3.5 metres high. Part of the prehistoric structure remains visible today.
The Kolbenstein fen lies at the northern foot of Montlinger Bergli. It is listed as a nature reserve, site no. 16. Its fen vegetation, unique in the region, is home to rare and endangered species. Protected landscape and archaeological history therefore sit side by side in a small area, while telling different stories: the fen shapes the natural landscape, while the rampart points to the region’s early settlement history.
Chapels, castles and the Rothus Museum
The St. Anna Chapel is also located on Montlinger Bergli. Its architectural features include elements dating from the 15th century, and inside there is a small Baroque altar in the auricular style. The Wichenstein castle ruins offer a different insight into medieval architecture: they are considered the only known cave castle on St. Gallen soil and are set in a rock face on the eastern slope of Semelenberg. The ruins are freely accessible and can be reached via a footpath in about 15 minutes. As this is an open ruin, access conditions may change; check visitor information before setting out. The residential tower of Blatten castle ruins still stands 23 metres high, with six storeys and walls up to 2.5 metres thick.
The Rothus Museum illustrates the region’s farming life and work in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its themes include peat cutting, woodworking, Rhine floods and regional customs. Visitors can see a smithy, a wheelwright’s workshop, a shoemaker’s workshop and a still-functioning mill. The museum building itself dates from no earlier than 1731.
Further exhibition topics range from Rheintaler Ribelmais to the “Chäs-Chessi” of the Oberrieter Kienberg alpine pasture. Ribelmais is presented as protected cultural heritage as well as a food and delicacy. The museum features a multi-year exhibition about the “Chäs-Chessi,” which was expanded in 2020. As exhibition details may change, it is worth checking the museum’s latest information before your visit.
Walks, hikes and your stay
Along the Old Rhine, you can combine walks and cycling tours with experiencing nature. The Kadel viewpoint is a destination for family outings, hikes and picnics; Montlinger Schwamm is a hiking hut in Oberriet SG. Hikes in and around Oberriet range from easy walks to more challenging routes. This range describes different options; it does not guarantee that every route is suitable for everyone.
Plan around the places you want to visit and take into account the conditions for guided tours, travel and access. This will help you search for hotels in Oberriet that suit your stay.
Discover more destinations: Marbach, St. Margrethen, Berneck, Rheineck, Widnau, Balgach, Diepoldsau, RĂĽthi
For the higher-level travel overview: Rhine Valley.
