Round-Tour Hike in the Neckertal Valley (Toggenburg)

Thursday May 7th -- We don't get out to the Toggenburg area of Switzerland very often, but it is a beautiful hilly landscape in the Northeast in Canton St.Gallen between Lake Zurich and Mount Säntis. Also, it is only a 2-hour trip for us, so we figured we'd do a little tour in this area today, a day which promised some more exceptional hiking weather. The plan was a quasi- round tour starting in a town called Mogelsberg, which became renowned not long ago for the nearby construction of a tree-top walking trail called "Baumwipfelpfad", the first Tree-Top trail in Switzerland, constructed in 2018 (link to information on that, click --> HERE,) which unfortunately is currently also closed due to the Novel Coronavirus issue). This area of the Toggenburg is called the Neckertal Valley, named after the Necker River which has its source near Mount Säntis. 

The choice of trail included a walk along a ridge before descending to Brunnadern, in the expectation of some very nice views of the Eastern Alps and the Alpstein Mountains (including Mount Säntis), but we were disappointed by a screen of very large trees to our South, and had only two short view windows in that direction. On the other hand, the views to the North over the Toggenburg were pretty amazing. With the exception of some health issues, it was otherwise another not too difficult 12-km mid-week excursion with only two other people on the trail. Highlights were our lunch at a beautiful hill-top linden tree, and the spotting of some wild narcissi in the fields, indicating that we actually have not yet missed the blooming of the narcissi as we thought we had on our most recent excursion to Seewis, the Narcissus Capital of the Prättigau. 

On the train ride toward the Toggenburg, we passed by Lake Obersee, which is the lower part of Lake Zurich, with this wonderful view into the Linthal Valley

Start of our hike in the town of Mogelsberg (it's actually a 15-minute walk from the train station). 

The town of Mogelsberg, home of Switzerland's first tree-top trail

Heading up the hill away from town, a nice first glimpse of the Toggenburg hills

This is all we could see of the Tree-Top trail on our approach. The rest is hidden in the trees. A sign at the entrance told us it was closed due to the Corona Virus

More lovely landscape

VIDEO: 

Excited calves enjoying the beautiful Spring weather just like we are!

Might be something to try some other day. In any case, the tree-top trail is hidden in that piece of forest...

After a steady but very easy climb of 45 minutes from the village, we get the first view of the mountains. As it turns out, this was probably the best view we had! Trail markers show that we are walking on the Necker Valley High Trail, heading to Gerensattel

From here we could see the ridge we'd be walking, and we assumed we would have a fantastic unobstructed view of the mountains, but it was not to be.

Best view of the mountains from "The Bench"

Descending to the village called Ebersol, we came across this beautiful meadow. Made the entire excursion worthwhile. It's meadows like this I look forward to on my alpine walks.

Passing through a farmyard before entering the forest for the steep ascent to Gerensattel, which is the ridge we were hoping to get a nice view from

One of the things I love about hiking in Switzerland is that you are always passing through the farmers' pastures, opening and closing fences and often walking where the animals graze.

In this forest we heard some VERY LOUD squealing, like pigs, probably wild pigs, which we didn't see but also didn't want to cross paths with!

Last stretch to the ridge, after a short but steep climb. In the background is the spot where we rested on the bench and enjoyed the view of the mountains!

Walking along the ridge, there are high trees to the South, blocking the view of the mountains. Up ahead is a beautiful linden tree with benches, so we decided that's where we would have our picnic lunch!

Heading to the linden tree for our picnic lunch. We had the most wonderful 180-degree view to the North from here.

A quick look back along the ridge. The whole way there were trees like the ones on the right

On the descent toward Brunnadern, there was ONE single opening like this, where we could see the Churfirsten mountains to the South of us

Instead of heading directly down the steep slope to Brunnadern, we took a longer way down this little gully. In this field we saw the first narcissus. And up there, our Lunch-Time Linden Tree

Heading West toward a second, beautiful linden tree. At the tree, our trail doubles back.

A quick peek at the village of Brunnadern, our destination, which we could reach by heading straight down here. But we decided on the longer route toward the North, so that we could return along the Necker River

And what a surprise to catch a glimpse of a narcissus in the field! They were just starting to flower here. It will probably look impressive in a few days

Always there are curious cows watching our progress

Heading down to Brunnadern from the North. The Voralpen Express Train is just passing through. There is also nothing better than the smell of the fresh-mown hay

Perfect weather for mowing the first hay, as the next couple of days forecast is for nice weather, so lots of time to dry. This is hard work for mountain farmers

Heading to the railway bridge, and then across the river

Crossing the Necker River

The final kilometer into Brunnadern was along the river, and then a double-back to the train station. We didn't have time to go visit the village.

And another beautiful meadow, a great finish to a wonderful hike.

Another 12-km, ca. 3.5-hour hike, in the lovely Neckertal Valley in NE Switzerland.