Wattwil lies in the Toggenburg between Wil and Wildhaus and is considered the main town of the Toggenburg. Several different themes come together here for a stay: the history of Iberg and religious buildings, a central square with views of the Thur, seasonal swimming and cycling routes with named stages. When choosing accommodation, it helps to decide on your main focus first: cultural sites and village history, sports facilities or a route with specific stage destinations.
History and culture in Wattwil
Iberg Castle was built around 1230, destroyed during the Appenzell Wars and rebuilt in 1408; until 1805, it served as the seat of the prince-abbots’ bailiffs. The fortress of Iberg was intended to secure the important passes over the Ricken and Laad and to monitor the military operations of the count. The surviving tower of Iberg Castle was rebuilt in 1902 on a hill west of Wattwil.
The Monastery of St. Mary of the Angels has stood on Wenkenrüti above Wattwil for around 400 years. Its building history also includes the late-classical church, completed in 1848 to plans by Felix Wilhelm Kubly. Together, these sites complement Iberg’s medieval history with religious buildings from different periods.
Bräkerplatz, named after the Toggenburg folk poet Ueli Bräker, is in the centre. This pleasantly shaded square has a bench with views of the Thur and a table sculpture by Appenzell artist Roman Signer. The AR village tour with Watto used QR codes on information boards at nine locations in Wattwil.
Swimming, mini golf and Rietwis sports complex
Wattwil swimming pool is open seasonally. Its separate diving pool has diving platforms at 1, 3 and 5 metres; the non-swimmers’ pool has a current channel and massage jets. Check the current opening hours before planning your visit.
Wattwil mini-golf course is located between the Rietwis sports complex and the swimming pool. It has 18 concrete lanes of the Bogoni system. The Rietwis outdoor complex offers both athletics and ball sports: the athletics facilities include a 100-metre track, a long-jump area, a high-jump facility and a natural-grass field for throwing events. There is also an all-weather pitch for football, handball and basketball, as well as a beach volleyball area with four courts. If you plan to play mini golf, check the current operating information.
Getting there and cycling routes
Wattwil station is in the village centre. Buses operated by Busbetrieb Lichtensteig-Wattwil-Ebnat-Kappel, PostBus services and buses operated by Schneider Busbetrieb run in the area. Rail and road connections between St. Gallen and Rapperswil, and Wil and Nesslau, also intersect in Wattwil. Check current timetables when planning to travel by public transport.
The stage and elevation profile provide specific points of reference for the Heart Route: Stage 11 runs from Wattwil to Herisau and has 1,200 metres of ascent and 1,050 metres of descent. The Heart Route stage from Rapperswil to Wattwil can be cycled on the signposted Veloland Route 99, by bicycle or e-bike. Check route conditions before setting off.
An alternative cycling route along the official Way of St. James runs from Wattwil via Schlosswis and Schlossweid to Laad, where it rejoins the signposted Way of St. James. The original section is not particularly well suited to bicycle pilgrims throughout. When planning, you can distinguish between the Heart Route stages mentioned above and this Way of St. James alternative, without treating their respective routes as the same.
Discover more destinations: Ganterschwil, BĂĽtschwil, Libingen, Alt Sankt Johann, Kirchberg, Oberhelfenschwil, LĂĽtisburg, Brunnadern.
For the broader travel overview: Toggenburg.
