The best road cycling routes around Sirnach

Lichtensteig - The capital of Toggenburg The semicircular town was founded around 1200 by the Counts of Toggenburg on a rocky outcrop above the Thur and was dependent on the Abbey of St. Gallen from 1468; since 1803 it has been the capital of the Neutoggenburg district. Lichtensteig is located in the Thur valley. The old town nestles in a semicircle around the mountain and was originally protected by ditches and walls. The gates were demolished in 1828. When a river carves its way over thousands of years, it does not always leave only valleys behind. Because sometimes the water encounters harder opponents, as in Steigrüti. Here, surrounded by fields and forests, lies the Äulischlucht gorge. You can spend a whole day in the Äulischlucht. The old town hall, mentioned in 1534, was renovated in the 17th century. The Türmchenhaus and the 'Glocke' were originally parts of a patrician house in the Hauptgasse from 1583. The renovation dates from 1766. Staircase on the back of the 'Glocke'. In the north of the town is the Loreto Chapel, built in 1677-80, a baroque complex with a prothyrum crowned by turrets. The historic center of Lichtensteig is unique. Since the 13th century, residential and commercial buildings have grown into an organic whole that delights architecture lovers: in the alleys, almost a dozen shops, restaurants, and cafés invite you to stroll and browse. And at events like the Jazz Days or the Christmas market, the old town does not become a backdrop, but remains a central part of the action. The historic old town of Lichtensteig was awarded by the Council of Europe in 1975 for the exemplary maintenance of the place. The preservation and beautification of the townscape is still very important today. Text / Source: Die schönsten Schweizer Dörfer - Via Ciani 5, CH-6900 Lugano https://swissvillages.org/lichtensteig/?lang=de

Lichtensteig is the only historic small town in Toggenburg. It was founded around 1228 by the Counts of Toggenburg and is picturesquely situated on a rocky spur above the Thur river. The well-preserved old town with its arcades, narrow alleys, and burgher houses is under national protection and received the Wakker Prize in 2023 for its exemplary townscape preservation. In the Middle Ages, Lichtensteig was an important market town and, from 1468 to 1798, the administrative seat of the bailiff of the Abbey of St. Gallen. Worth seeing are the old town, the ruins of Neu-Toggenburg above the town, the Toggenburg Museum, as well as the numerous cafés, small shops, and cultural events such as the Lichtensteig Jazz Days. Historically interesting is also the fact that the Toggenburger Bank, founded in 1863 – a predecessor of today's UBS – originated in Lichtensteig.

Problem-free ascent to the Hulftegg on the asphalted pass road from Steg, mostly moderate traffic, moderate gradient also for the e-bike.

Wonderful little town with many hidden little highlights. Simply beautiful😃

Small town with a well-preserved historic old town.

The old Rickenstrasse leads with little traffic from Wattwil to Ricken.

Long cycle path, often separated from the main road, up the entire Tösstal from Sennhof to Gibswil. Quite busy.

This is one of my favourite spots. You have a breathtaking view from here over rolling hills.