Neckerweg

The Schwägalp Pass connects Appenzell and Toggenburg. Once upon a time, the area was surrounded by glaciers. Nowadays, the northern foothills of the Säntis massif are home to an 11-kilometre moorland, which also provides a habitat for wood grouse.

Once you have crossed the Chräzerenpass, you will arrive in the Spesswald wood. Before the Schwägalp Pass road was built in 1935, the Urnäsch valley and Obertoggenburg were only connected by the mule track through the Chräzerenpass. Spesswald and the imposing Sandwald are both located near the headwaters of the 32-kilometre river Necker. You will follow the river to St. Peterzell. The village centre is a feast for the eyes with its monastery church, gabled houses typical of Toggenburg and the red facade of Landgasthof Schäfle inn. The village is a place to rest along the Way of St. James from Rorschach to Einsiedeln – or for long-distance hikers on the way to Santiago de Compostela.

The Necker flows into the river Thur at Lütisburg. The confluence has given rise to a protected floodplain of national significance. The 1.5-hectare reserve is made up of gravel banks, a forest of yew and beech trees and exposed rock faces. This area is also home to animals such as crayfish, fire salamanders, graylings, barbels and brook trout. The Necker route comes to an end just a bit further on in Bazenheid at the lowest point in the Toggenburg district.