Kaltbrunner Riet is the last remnant of the marshes that once shaped the area between Lake Walen and Lake Zurich. The area and its two observation towers are accessible year-round; the flat walking trail is well suited to family outings with young children. Walking and hiking opportunities in See-Gaster range from easy strolls to challenging tours.
Landscape and Trails
The See-Gaster constituency is an administrative unit of the Canton of St. Gallen. It covers 245.91 km² and ranges from 404 to 2,101 metres above sea level. At the eastern end around Lake Walen, settlements are village-like and small-scale.
The lakeside path from Schmerikon to Rapperswil-Jona follows the Obersee through a lakeshore landscape. Schmerikon is accessible by suburban train or boat; check the timetables when planning your specific trip. Another natural highlight is the Seerenbach Falls near Betlis on Lake Walen: the cascade consists of three waterfalls with a total height of 585 metres. The Rinquelle spring also emerges there in the gorge.
Museums, Castle and Art
The museUm Uznach is divided into five departments: Old Uznach, Industry and Trade, Transport by Road, Rail and Water, Culture, and Nature. The Old Uznach department includes, among other things, an original engraving of Uznaberg Castle. The topics thus range from local history and trade to transport and nature.
The Rapperswil-Jona City Museum tells 800 years of the town’s history. Its exhibition spaces include a 14th-century tower and a 15th-century town palace. Rapperswil Castle adds its own historical note: it was built in the early 13th century and offers a visitor tour about the castle’s history. Fallow deer have lived on the northern slope of the castle hill since 1871.
The Kunst(Zeug)Haus presents contemporary Swiss art in a former arsenal. Changing exhibitions feature works by contemporary Swiss artists and artists from past decades, including paintings, installations and photography. The Alte Fabrik Rapperswil, in turn, combines industrial history with culture: it was the first production site of the Geberit group, now active worldwide, and today it is a cultural centre. Visual arts, design, activities for children, literature, music, dance, theatre and associations all come together under one roof.
Special Visitor Experiences
At Knies Kinderzoo, visitors can learn more about around 380 animals and biodiversity. Activities include pony rides and rides on two-humped camels. At Himmapan Elephant Park, visitors can observe the elephants from a wooden bridge.
Mariazell Wurmsbach Abbey is a Cistercian nuns’ abbey located directly on the shore of Lake Zurich’s Obersee, in the municipality of Rapperswil-Jona. The abbey offers groups guided tours of the abbey. Some tours also include the opportunity to attend a short devotional service in the abbey church.
Discover more destinations: Amden, Ernetschwil, Hintergoldingen, Weesen, Gommiswald, Rapperswil-Jona, Goldingen, Schänis, Uznach, Schmerikon, Eschenbach and Benken.
Back to the main travel overview: St. Gallen.
