Toggenburger Höhenweg
Overview
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Intro
The Toggenburger Höhenweg presents hikers with one of the most beautiful but also one of the most challenging hiking routes in the St. Gallen countryside. Breathtaking and incomparable views constantly draw your gaze down into the lush green Thurtal valley.
| Start of tour: | Wildhaus |
| End of tour: | Will SG |
| Number of stages: | 6 |
| Length: | 87 km |
| Difficulty: | medium |
| Condition: | difficult |
| Difference in altitude: | ↑ 4600 m ↓ 5100 m |
The scenic Toggenburger Höhenweg runs parallel to the Thurweg. Unlike the Thurweg, which follows alongside the River Thur on the valley floor, the Höhenweg leads at a height along the south/west side of the Toggenburg valley. Starting point is Wildhaus, birthplace of reformer Huldrych Zwingli and home of four-times Olympic champion Simon Ammann (Unterwasser).
The Höhenweg repeatedly has links into the valley, to typical Toggenburg villages with public transport connections. Simple, hospitable mountain huts make it possible to stay overnight at a lofty height. This is rewarding mainly because of the wonderful views of the Churfirsten mountains at an early or late hour. En route, you'll be constantly enthralled by the extensive views over the Glarus Alps and the Walensee and Zürichsee lakes into Toggenburg as far as the Bodensee (Lake Constance).
Towards its end, the Höhenweg leaves the rather challenging mountain trail and finishes amidst gently rolling hills in the town of Wil, known as the gateway to Toggenburg.
