Nesslau offers a range of hiking and nature experiences: one section leads through a raised bog, while other trails feature storytelling stations, river landscapes or a long stretch on asphalt. When planning a stay, it is worth considering these options separately rather than as a single circular itinerary. They differ in theme, route and stated surface, offering several concrete ways to tailor your stay to your interests.

Location and Mountain Scenery

The village of Nesslau lies in the upper Thur Valley; the municipality belongs to the Toggenburg electoral district. The municipal area extends eastwards to Schwägalp Pass, which forms the border with the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden. Ennetbühl and Rietbad lie in the Luterental valley on the Schwägalp Pass road and are part of the municipality of Nesslau. The municipality includes parts of the Speer, considered Europe’s highest conglomerate mountain, as well as part of the Alpstein. Silberplatten lies near Säntis, reaches 2,158 metres and is the highest mountain located entirely within the municipality of Nesslau.

The Thur and the Luteren flow through the municipal area. Shortly before Nesslau, the Thur plunges over the three Giessen Falls. The rivers, named mountains and waterfalls all serve as concrete landmarks in the municipality’s landscape.

Hiking Trails with Different Themes

One botanical highlight is the “To the Moor on the Wolzenalp” hiking route. It includes a section through the raised bog, where orchids, sundews and gentians grow, among other plants. These plants give the trail a clear focus on nature. Further along, the route crosses another bridge and follows the banks of the Luteren to Nesslau-Neu St. Johann railway station. The Nesslau circular trail offers another stretch along the river: it follows an untouched bank overgrown with wild vegetation. While the bog route names specific plants, the circular trail foregrounds the wild growth along the riverbank.

Another thematic option is the Toggenburg Climate Experience Trail. It leads from the Wolzenalp via the Ijental valley to Nesslau. At eleven experience stations, information pillars present stories and information, adding a narrative dimension to the route. The Thur Route, by contrast, focuses on a specific stage: it runs from Nesslau to Buchs, is 31 kilometres long and is entirely on asphalt. The details offer different points of reference when choosing a route: the stations and their content for the Climate Experience Trail, and the distance and surface for the Thur Route.

Stages and Further Activities

The Thur and Necker Trail has numerous access and exit points, as well as good public transport connections, making it possible to plan individual stages. In Nesslau, it includes an open-air nature stage. Workshops, courses, music rehearsals and club events are held there outdoors. If you are planning individual stages, check the timetable in advance.

The Wolzenalp–Nesslau winter hiking trail begins in Nesslau, Rietbach, and ends at Nesslau-Neu St. Johann railway station after crossing the river. There is also a children’s area on the Wolzenalp.

Discover more destinations: Sankt Peterzell, Mosnang, Oberhelfenschwil, Stein, Brunnadern, Libingen, Wattwil, Ganterschwil

Back to the main travel overview: Toggenburg.