RoutesBike touring routes & trailsSwitzerlandEastern SwitzerlandSt. GallenToggenburgWildhaus-Alt St. Johann
View of the Churfirsten – Gubel Kiosk loop from Wildhaus-Alt St. Johann
RoutesBike touring routes & trailsSwitzerlandEastern SwitzerlandSt. GallenToggenburgWildhaus-Alt St. Johann
View of the Churfirsten – Gubel Kiosk loop from Wildhaus-Alt St. Johann
Hard
19
riders
View of the Churfirsten – Gubel Kiosk loop from Wildhaus-Alt St. Johann
01:19
16.2km
490m
Cycling
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Waypoints
A
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
1
1.15 km
View of the Churfirsten
Highlight • Viewpoint
2
4.92 km
Gubel Kiosk
Highlight • Cafe
A nice place to take a break. Deck chairs and tables invite you to linger. There is coffee/tea and cold drinks. Depending on the occasion, snacks are also available.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
3
7.86 km
Catholic Church of Alt St. Johann
Highlight • Religious Site
Old St. John's Catholic Church
Around the year 1150, two hermits, Milo and Thüring, wandered into the solitude of the upper Thur Valley. A wealthy nobleman who owned extensive estates in Toggenburg gave the two hermits the area of present-day St. John's Valley. In the middle of the valley, where most of the springs bubbled from the earth, they built a monastery. It was populated by Benedictine monks from Trub Monastery in the Emmental.
In 1152, the first abbot (Burkhard), elected by the monks, was confirmed by the Pope. When he died after almost fifty years of rule, a large area of forest around the monastery had already been cleared. As a result of incompetent and frivolous abbots and monks, the monastery fell into poverty and became completely neglected. Thus, in 1555, St. John's Monastery became part of the St. Gallen Monastery.
Misfortune continued to plague the monastery: in 1568, it burned to the ground, along with the church. A somewhat dubious beggar, who had been denied lodging, had set the fire. The Abbot of St. Gallen ordered immediate reconstruction.
In 1620, a strange illness struck St. John, resulting in paralysis of the limbs. Five clergymen had already died. As a result, the monastery was abandoned and moved to a nearby house. When the monastery was once again destroyed by fire two years later, there were few complaints. After much deliberation, it was decided to leave the scene of the disaster and rebuild the monastery on the open plains near Nesslau. As a result, the area was named New St. John.
The Old St. John Monastery was rebuilt after the fire in 1626. Since then, not much has changed in this building. The rectory and chapel were renovated in 1994.
Text / Source: Municipal Administration, Wildhaus-Alt St. Johann
wildhaus-altstjohann.ch/portraet/geschichte.html/15
Around the year 1150, two hermits, Milo and Thüring, wandered into the solitude of the upper Thur Valley. A wealthy nobleman who owned extensive estates in Toggenburg gave the two hermits the area of present-day St. John's Valley. In the middle of the valley, where most of the springs bubbled from the earth, they built a monastery. It was populated by Benedictine monks from Trub Monastery in the Emmental.
In 1152, the first abbot (Burkhard), elected by the monks, was confirmed by the Pope. When he died after almost fifty years of rule, a large area of forest around the monastery had already been cleared. As a result of incompetent and frivolous abbots and monks, the monastery fell into poverty and became completely neglected. Thus, in 1555, St. John's Monastery became part of the St. Gallen Monastery.
Misfortune continued to plague the monastery: in 1568, it burned to the ground, along with the church. A somewhat dubious beggar, who had been denied lodging, had set the fire. The Abbot of St. Gallen ordered immediate reconstruction.
In 1620, a strange illness struck St. John, resulting in paralysis of the limbs. Five clergymen had already died. As a result, the monastery was abandoned and moved to a nearby house. When the monastery was once again destroyed by fire two years later, there were few complaints. After much deliberation, it was decided to leave the scene of the disaster and rebuild the monastery on the open plains near Nesslau. As a result, the area was named New St. John.
The Old St. John Monastery was rebuilt after the fire in 1626. Since then, not much has changed in this building. The rectory and chapel were renovated in 1994.
Text / Source: Municipal Administration, Wildhaus-Alt St. Johann
wildhaus-altstjohann.ch/portraet/geschichte.html/15
Translated by Google •
Tip by
4
7.88 km
Cloister Garden of the Provostry Alt St. Johann
Highlight • Religious Site
A Little Paradise: At the monastery in Alt St. Johann, modernity meets the Middle Ages.
The monks already cultivated the garden of the monastery of St. Johann in the Thur Valley in the Middle Ages. Today, 200 different herbs and medicinal plants grow there.
Many Medicinal Plants in the Garden
Gardens have been part of a monastery since the Middle Ages. The monks and nuns grew vegetables there so they could live independently of the outside world. A large part of the garden was always reserved for medicinal plants. In many monasteries, the monks were able to write and copied ancient texts describing medicinal plants and their effects. In this way, the monks acquired knowledge that they continued to cultivate and pass on. A trade in southern European and oriental herbs also developed through monasteries. For example, exotic plants such as lovage and fennel came here.
The connection between useful and medicinal plants is still cultivated in the publicly accessible display garden in Alt St. Johann. Near the entrance, herbs dominate, which are used and sold in the herbal shop. 200 different plants can be found in the garden. At the rear, useful plants also grow in beds. The area is complemented by a water feature and a seating area where visitors can let their thoughts wander. The garden can also be used for various events. Incidentally, like many monastery gardens, the one in Alt St. Johann has a geometric layout with a planted circular area at its center.
Text / Source: tagblatt.ch/ostschweiz/toggenburg
tagblatt.ch/ostschweiz/toggenburg/wo-moderne-auf-mittelalter-trifft-ld.1038188
The monks already cultivated the garden of the monastery of St. Johann in the Thur Valley in the Middle Ages. Today, 200 different herbs and medicinal plants grow there.
Many Medicinal Plants in the Garden
Gardens have been part of a monastery since the Middle Ages. The monks and nuns grew vegetables there so they could live independently of the outside world. A large part of the garden was always reserved for medicinal plants. In many monasteries, the monks were able to write and copied ancient texts describing medicinal plants and their effects. In this way, the monks acquired knowledge that they continued to cultivate and pass on. A trade in southern European and oriental herbs also developed through monasteries. For example, exotic plants such as lovage and fennel came here.
The connection between useful and medicinal plants is still cultivated in the publicly accessible display garden in Alt St. Johann. Near the entrance, herbs dominate, which are used and sold in the herbal shop. 200 different plants can be found in the garden. At the rear, useful plants also grow in beds. The area is complemented by a water feature and a seating area where visitors can let their thoughts wander. The garden can also be used for various events. Incidentally, like many monastery gardens, the one in Alt St. Johann has a geometric layout with a planted circular area at its center.
Text / Source: tagblatt.ch/ostschweiz/toggenburg
tagblatt.ch/ostschweiz/toggenburg/wo-moderne-auf-mittelalter-trifft-ld.1038188
Translated by Google •
Tip by
5
9.51 km
View of Säntis and Schafberg
Highlight • Viewpoint
6
15.8 km
Puppet Theater Wildhaus
Highlight • Structure
Puppet theater, Wildhaus
The Wildhaus Puppet Theater was founded in 1978 by the then spa director Werner Bernet and the Übersax family. As experienced puppeteers, Egon and Susi Übersax took the initiative to offer another piece of culture in the community. Since the beginning, the performances have taken place in the Rietli stables, which the founding members had to turn into a theater through forced labour. Liseli Stricker, Irmgard and Stefan Litscher as well as Heidi Himmelberger are still there today. The number of members in the association fluctuates between 20 and 25 active members.
The puppet theater has around a thousand visitors a year and has performed twelve fairy tales and 18 plays for adults, from "Aladin and the Magic Lamp" to Goethe's "Faust".
Text / Source: Puppet Theater Association Wildhaus
puppenbuehne-wildhaus.ch/das-theater
The Wildhaus Puppet Theater was founded in 1978 by the then spa director Werner Bernet and the Übersax family. As experienced puppeteers, Egon and Susi Übersax took the initiative to offer another piece of culture in the community. Since the beginning, the performances have taken place in the Rietli stables, which the founding members had to turn into a theater through forced labour. Liseli Stricker, Irmgard and Stefan Litscher as well as Heidi Himmelberger are still there today. The number of members in the association fluctuates between 20 and 25 active members.
The puppet theater has around a thousand visitors a year and has performed twelve fairy tales and 18 plays for adults, from "Aladin and the Magic Lamp" to Goethe's "Faust".
Text / Source: Puppet Theater Association Wildhaus
puppenbuehne-wildhaus.ch/das-theater
Translated by Google •
Tip by
7
16.0 km
Huldrych Zwingli Birthplace
Highlight • Historical Site
A witness to a bygone era, this house stands in the heart of the Lisighus district of Wildhaus. It was built in the mid-15th century by the reformer's grandfather. Despite various alterations, the basic structure has been preserved to this day.
Inside the house, numerous remarkable details can be discovered, including the late Gothic carved beamed ceiling in the living room (which was also used as an office), the open fireplace in the kitchen, and an original offering box from the Grossmünster (Great Cathedral) in Zurich.
The Zwingli House now belongs to the Evangelical Church of the Canton of St. Gallen, which keeps it open to guests from all over the world.
Text / Source: Zwingli Center Toggenburg, Wildhaus
zwingli-zentrum-toggenburg.ch/de/zwingli-geburtshaus
Inside the house, numerous remarkable details can be discovered, including the late Gothic carved beamed ceiling in the living room (which was also used as an office), the open fireplace in the kitchen, and an original offering box from the Grossmünster (Great Cathedral) in Zurich.
The Zwingli House now belongs to the Evangelical Church of the Canton of St. Gallen, which keeps it open to guests from all over the world.
Text / Source: Zwingli Center Toggenburg, Wildhaus
zwingli-zentrum-toggenburg.ch/de/zwingli-geburtshaus
Translated by Google •
Tip by
8
16.0 km
Birthplace of Huldrych Zwingli, Wildhaus
Highlight • Historical Site
Zwingli's birthplace, Wildhaus
This house stands in the middle of the Lisighus district of Wildhaus as a witness to a bygone era. It was built by the reformer's grandfather in the mid-15th century. Despite various changes, the basic structure has been preserved to this day.
Numerous remarkable details can be discovered inside the house, the late Gothic carved beamed ceiling in the parlor (which was also used as an office), the open fireplace in the kitchen or an original offering box from the Grossmünster in Zurich.
The Zwinglihaus now belongs to the Evangelical Church of the Canton of St. Gallen, which keeps it open to guests from all over the world.
Text / Source: Zwingli Center Toggenburg, Wildhaus
zwingli-zentrum-toggenburg.ch/de/zwingli-geburtshaus
This house stands in the middle of the Lisighus district of Wildhaus as a witness to a bygone era. It was built by the reformer's grandfather in the mid-15th century. Despite various changes, the basic structure has been preserved to this day.
Numerous remarkable details can be discovered inside the house, the late Gothic carved beamed ceiling in the parlor (which was also used as an office), the open fireplace in the kitchen or an original offering box from the Grossmünster in Zurich.
The Zwinglihaus now belongs to the Evangelical Church of the Canton of St. Gallen, which keeps it open to guests from all over the world.
Text / Source: Zwingli Center Toggenburg, Wildhaus
zwingli-zentrum-toggenburg.ch/de/zwingli-geburtshaus
Translated by Google •
Tip by
B
16.2 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
12.1 km
1.94 km
1.94 km
103 m
< 100 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
15.4 km
443 m
164 m
< 100 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
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Highest point (1,160 m)
Lowest point (890 m)
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Weather
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Tuesday 14 July
22°C
13°C
73 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 7.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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