Toggenburger Höhenweg
Overview
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Distance 22 km
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Duration 6 h
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Ascent 660 m
Intro
From the Hulfteggpass , the trail leads down into the tiny village of Mühlrüti, from where it climbs again and leads past the legend-shrouded vantage point of St. Iddaburg. At Wurenholz the Höhenweg merges with the Thurweg and ends at the famous abbey town of Wil.
Description
The Hulftegg pass at 953 m connects the Toggenburg Valley with the upper Tösstal. This is where the last section of the Höhenweg begins, with marvellous views of the Toggenburg, the hills of the Appenzell region and Lake Constance. The first descent leads across lovely meadows to Mühlrüti, back up to Egghof and then continues to Senis and St. Iddaburg (966 m). Here, where the pilgrimage church of the same name is located, was the site of the old Toggenburg Castle in the Middle Ages. It once was the ancestral seat of the Counts of Toggenburg. St. Idda, who was related to the Habsburgs, lived there in the mid-12th century. After the death of her husband, Diethelm IV of Toggenburg, Idda retreated to Au (part of Fischingen) and chose to live as a hermit. Later she entered Fischingen Abbey and became a nun. Her veneration began soon after she died. Today’s church was built in 1933/1934. Iddaburg is considered to be a place of mystical powers and is often used for celebrations and ceremonies.
Continue past the cave and down a steep prayer walk to Hüttenstetten. Climbing back uphill, you soon reach the top of the small pass above Gähwil. By now you are about midway through the hike and it is mostly downhill from now on. Through the forest and across meadows it takes another hour or so to get to the viewpoint at Schallenberg, where Säntis and Churfirsten tower over the rolling hills. The trail passes Dietschwil and follows the creek. After the grilling site, you will see the water of Giessfall plunging down 40 meters over the rocks. A path leads you out of the canyon-like landscape and soon reaches the local recreation area of Wil.
The old town of Wil is located on a hill at the entrance to the Toggenburg. The historic town centre – with a court building, captain’s house and baron’s house as well as timber-framed buildings along picturesque lanes and squares - was awarded the Wakker Prize of the Swiss Heritage Society. Follow the small Wuereholz forest to get to the main road and continue through the industrial area for about 10 minutes. The Toggenburger Höhenweg then passes through residential neighbourhoods and finally ends at the train station of Wil.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Hulftegg
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Wil SG
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| Direction |
One way
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| Altitude (meter above sea level) |
800 m
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| Ascent |
660 m
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| Descent |
1050 m
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| Distance |
22 km
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| Duration |
6 h
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| Duration back |
6 h 30 min
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| Technical requirements |
Easy
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| Physical requirements |
Difficult
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| Season |
March - October
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| Theme |
With panoramic view
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| More information | https://www.schweizmobil.ch/en/wanderland/etappe48... |
Quick Facts
Route number
