RoutesBike touring routes & trailsSwitzerlandEastern SwitzerlandSt. GallenToggenburgAlt St. Johann
Unterwasser–Iltios Funicular loop from Alt St. Johann
RoutesBike touring routes & trailsSwitzerlandEastern SwitzerlandSt. GallenToggenburgAlt St. Johann
Unterwasser–Iltios Funicular loop from Alt St. Johann
Hard
4.8
(9)
80
riders
Unterwasser–Iltios Funicular loop from Alt St. Johann
02:13
25.3km
740m
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: April 16, 2026
Waypoints
A
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
1
234 m
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
2
256 m
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
3
526 m
Alt St. Johann–Sellamatt Cable Car
Highlight • Rest Area
Chairlift "Alt St. Johann – Sellamatt"
The Alt St. Johann – Sellamatt chairlift connects the Alt St. Johann valley station with Alp Sellamatt at 1,390 meters above sea level.
In just 6 minutes, the state-of-the-art chairlift/gondola takes you from Alt St. Johann (900 meters) to Alp Sellamatt (1,400 meters).
Text / Source: Lötscher AG, Alp Sellamatt, CH-9656 Alt St. Johann
sellamatt.ch/bergbahn
The Alt St. Johann – Sellamatt chairlift connects the Alt St. Johann valley station with Alp Sellamatt at 1,390 meters above sea level.
In just 6 minutes, the state-of-the-art chairlift/gondola takes you from Alt St. Johann (900 meters) to Alp Sellamatt (1,400 meters).
Text / Source: Lötscher AG, Alp Sellamatt, CH-9656 Alt St. Johann
sellamatt.ch/bergbahn
Translated by Google •
Tip by
4
759 m
Evangelical Church Alt St. Johann
Highlight • Religious Site
Evangelical Church Alt St. Johann
Old St. Johann Church History, Old St. Johann
The monastery stood at the beginning of settlement in the valley. This is the last Benedictine monastery founded in what is now Switzerland. The oldest documented mention dates back to 1152. The monastery church is dedicated to John the Baptist. The priory, the St. Anna chapel and the Johannes chapel also belonged to the monastery complex. A village settlement called St. Johann soon developed around the monastery.
The evangelical church is located on the site of the original St. Anna chapel. This was left to the Reformed parish in 1526. In the first monastery fire of 1568 she too fell victim to the flames. It was rebuilt no later than 1582. It survived the second monastery fire of 1626. In 1861 the new church was built. It is particularly unclear to this day why the church is oriented to the west. The interior of the church is plain, on the door to the tower and on the pulpit there are carvings by Ulrich Steiger, the ceiling consists of 105 differently painted wooden coffers.
Unterwasser and Starkenbach have never been independent ecclesiastical and have never had their own church. From the very beginning, the Reformed came to the church services in Alt St. Johann.
Text / source: Pfarräter Wildhaus - Alt St. Johann
ref-whasj.ch/pages/kiasj.html
Old St. Johann Church History, Old St. Johann
The monastery stood at the beginning of settlement in the valley. This is the last Benedictine monastery founded in what is now Switzerland. The oldest documented mention dates back to 1152. The monastery church is dedicated to John the Baptist. The priory, the St. Anna chapel and the Johannes chapel also belonged to the monastery complex. A village settlement called St. Johann soon developed around the monastery.
The evangelical church is located on the site of the original St. Anna chapel. This was left to the Reformed parish in 1526. In the first monastery fire of 1568 she too fell victim to the flames. It was rebuilt no later than 1582. It survived the second monastery fire of 1626. In 1861 the new church was built. It is particularly unclear to this day why the church is oriented to the west. The interior of the church is plain, on the door to the tower and on the pulpit there are carvings by Ulrich Steiger, the ceiling consists of 105 differently painted wooden coffers.
Unterwasser and Starkenbach have never been independent ecclesiastical and have never had their own church. From the very beginning, the Reformed came to the church services in Alt St. Johann.
Text / source: Pfarräter Wildhaus - Alt St. Johann
ref-whasj.ch/pages/kiasj.html
Translated by Google •
Tip by
5
2.70 km
Unterwasser Valley Station (Chäserrugg)
Highlight • Rest Area
Chäserrugg Unterwasser Train Station
In summer 2024 (opened on December 13, 2024), the valley station in Unterwasser was rebuilt and now connects arrival, stay, and onward travel in the style of a train station. At the same time, the funicular between Unterwasser and Iltios was also renovated. Learn more about the new Unterwasser train station with its new funicular, café-bar, and Tourist Information Center.
The "Unterwasser Train Station" valley station is the sixth building in the Chäserrugg area designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron. The building connects the valley station of the new funicular with the café-bar, Tourist Information Center, and offices of the Klangwelt (sound world). A variety of guest needs are united by the architecture of the upper Toggenburg.
Text / Source: Toggenburg Bergbahnen, CH-9657 Unterwasser
chaeserrugg.ch/projekt-talstation-unterwasser
In summer 2024 (opened on December 13, 2024), the valley station in Unterwasser was rebuilt and now connects arrival, stay, and onward travel in the style of a train station. At the same time, the funicular between Unterwasser and Iltios was also renovated. Learn more about the new Unterwasser train station with its new funicular, café-bar, and Tourist Information Center.
The "Unterwasser Train Station" valley station is the sixth building in the Chäserrugg area designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron. The building connects the valley station of the new funicular with the café-bar, Tourist Information Center, and offices of the Klangwelt (sound world). A variety of guest needs are united by the architecture of the upper Toggenburg.
Text / Source: Toggenburg Bergbahnen, CH-9657 Unterwasser
chaeserrugg.ch/projekt-talstation-unterwasser
Translated by Google •
Tip by
6
2.71 km
Unterwasser–Iltios Funicular
Highlight • Structure
Funicular Unterwasser - Iltios
The funicular Unterwasser-Iltios (DUI), called Iltiosbahn, is a funicular in Unterwasser in the Obertoggenburg
The 1195 meter long line begins at 911 m above sea level below the Früeweid in Unterwasser. The threshold height in the Iltios mountain station is 1339 m above sea level. From there, the Iltios-Chäserrugg cable car leads to the 2262 meter high Chäserrugg, the first of the Churfirsten, and ski lifts to the Stöfeli, among others. The line was opened in 1934 and rebuilt in the summer of 2005. The original track width was widened from 800 millimeters to 1000 millimeters. The Iltiosbahn is mainly frequented by mountain and winter sports enthusiasts and is part of the Obertoggenburg ski area, which includes the slopes of Wildhaus, Unterwasser and Alt St. Johann.
Text / Source: Wikipedia
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drahtseilbahn_Unterwasser%E2%80%93Iltios#:~:text=The%20railway%20was%20opened%20in%201934,Wildhaus%2C%20Unterwasser%20and%20Alt%20St.
The funicular Unterwasser-Iltios (DUI), called Iltiosbahn, is a funicular in Unterwasser in the Obertoggenburg
The 1195 meter long line begins at 911 m above sea level below the Früeweid in Unterwasser. The threshold height in the Iltios mountain station is 1339 m above sea level. From there, the Iltios-Chäserrugg cable car leads to the 2262 meter high Chäserrugg, the first of the Churfirsten, and ski lifts to the Stöfeli, among others. The line was opened in 1934 and rebuilt in the summer of 2005. The original track width was widened from 800 millimeters to 1000 millimeters. The Iltiosbahn is mainly frequented by mountain and winter sports enthusiasts and is part of the Obertoggenburg ski area, which includes the slopes of Wildhaus, Unterwasser and Alt St. Johann.
Text / Source: Wikipedia
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drahtseilbahn_Unterwasser%E2%80%93Iltios#:~:text=The%20railway%20was%20opened%20in%201934,Wildhaus%2C%20Unterwasser%20and%20Alt%20St.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
7
12.7 km
Cool bench with a great view
Highlight • Viewpoint
Wonderful viewpoint with a large cool bench. Especially in winter you are happy when you find a dry place to sit while resting and enjoying such a great view is of course super nice.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
8
23.2 km
Smartflower Solar Charging Station, Unterwasser
Highlight • Rest Area
A conventional E-Bike charging station equipped with one Schuko power sockets. Please bring your own charging device.
Tip by
B
25.3 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
11.0 km
6.22 km
4.30 km
3.78 km
< 100 m
Surfaces
19.4 km
5.74 km
< 100 m
< 100 m
< 100 m
Sign up to see more specific route details
Sign up for free
Elevation
Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.
Sign up to see more specific route details
Sign up for free
Weather
Powered by Foreca
Monday 18 May
12°C
2°C
-- %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: -- km/h
to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route
Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.