A Short Stretch along the Thur River Trail, from Dietfurt to Wattwil

Saturday November 8, 2025 -- Urs had another commitment on this Saturday, so I had to consider if I would go walking on my own again. There was fog in many parts of the country this day (especially in Zug where we live) so it was hard to find a place where the sun was shining. 

The Toggenburg Region of Canton St.Gallen is often fog-free when we here in the lake region drown in fog, and webcams early Saturday morning showed good weather there. As it only takes me two hours to travel into the Valley of the Thur River, I headed there for a short walk (8 km) along the Thur River, on a themed trail called "Thurweg", of which we have done a few stretches. Back in November of 2023 we had walked an 8-km section of the "Thur River Trail" further to the north, ending in Dietfurt at the time. (Photos HERE). So the plan for this Saturday was another short, 8-km stretch starting in Dietfurt heading south again, and ending in Wattwil. That way I could enjoy some sunshine and non-strenuous exercise.

The other reason for chosing this stretch is that right between the two cities is a town called Lichtensteig with a nice Medieval flair, which we see every time we pass on the train through here. A town I had not yet been to!. And in that town is another of Switzerland's famous cookie factories named Kägi, which produces, among lots of waffel-type cookies, a local butter cookie aptly named "Toggenburger". I love the chocolate version of this cookie, and stopped at the factory store to buy a few rolls.

Due to an issue on the tracks, I missed my connection getting to Dietfurt, and took a different route by bus via Brunnadern where I had been just a couple of weeks earlier. This means I started my walk 30 minutes later than planned. 

This is the view of the town of Lichtensteig we see every time we take the train up the Thur Valley (usually to visit my friend in Mogelsberg nearby). I have long wanted to come see this village, so I planned an 8-km walk that took me through the village. 

Due to an issue with the railway line, I had to ride to Brunnadern and take a bus from there. The bus travels over the mountain, with a look back at the town of Mogelsberg, from where I had done a similar hike about a week earlier. (photos HERE). 

Typical house of the Toggenburg region, on the way from Brunnadern to Dietfurt. (Normally I would have changed to a train from Wattwil to Dietfurt, but I missed the connection due to issues on the railway tracks). 

I got to the bus stop next to the Thur River in Dietfurt (no need to go all the way to the train station) at 11:37, from where I started my hike along Trail no.24: "Thurweg" ("Thur River Trail"), with about a 2-hour walk to Wattwil, where I was going to take the train back home. 

This was a relatively short walk, just 8 kilometers and about two hours. The first part from Dietfurt to Lichtensteig was via pastures and towns, and the second half was all along the Thur River. 

It's nice to see that the cows can also still enjoy the outdoors at this time of year!

A look behind me at the town of Dietfurt before continuing southwards to Wattwil. It was in November 2023 that we did another walk along the "Thurweg", ending here in Dietfurt. 

An old farmhouse... there were a few of these along the way as the first part of the hike was through farmland. 

Also a couple of small forested sections. 

 I got to the outskirts of the town of Lichtensteig at noon. This was the first surprise! A "family" of mannequins in traditional costumes, hanging out on someone's balcony!

Heading down to the main street from the hiking trail, on my way to the Cookie Factory, I noticed this church bell tower, so obviously was going to do a detour. 

Detour to the St.Loreto pilgrim church along the main road in Lichtensteig. 

Inside of the St.Loreto pilgrim church. It was built in 1678. 

St. Loreto pilgrim chapel in Lichtensteig. 

Cute!

A look behind me as I continue down the main road. 

This is the Kägi factory. They make cookies and various chocolate-covered waffle cookies. I like the chocolate butter cookies called "Toggenburger" and bought three rolls of those, plus some well-priced chocolate wafer cookies!

Back on the hiking trail I pass through residential areas, on the way to the old town. 

More nice houses. 

Arriving into the main part of Lichtensteig. 

The following photos are various streets in Lichtensteig as I walked up and down the three main roads.

This is the Rathaus (Town Hall)

Town hall in Lichtensteig

I try to photograph as many of this shop signs as I can!

Main street

This half-timbered house was particulary beautiful

Side alley with cobblestone streets. 

Back on the main street again

Look at all the neat dormer windows!

Returning down the main road now to continue on my hike at 1:10 p.m. 

Heading out on my hike now with a look at the west side of the row of houses in Lichtensteig. 

The trail crosses the railway bridge over the Thur River. 

Final look back at the town of Lichtensteig as I cross the Thur River on the railway bridge. 

A look at the railway bridge after crossing the Thur River. 

I surprised a heron which flew off. Cool photo. 

Crossing to the east side of the Thur River. From here, the trail follows exactly along the river for the next 2½ kilometers, crossing the river back and forth on various bridges four times. 

For the next half hour the trail followed the river like this. 

Following the Thur River. 

The city of Wattwil comes into view, as well as the snow-covered Churfirsten mountains in the background. 

It's not even 2 p.m. yet, and the sun will soon be disappearing behind the low hills to the west. 

As I crossed the final bridge just shortly before the train station, I came right into the middle of a market of some kind. Hurrying on now, I could just make it to the 2 p.m. train. 

Hurrying to the train station, I made the 2 p.m. train for the 1-hour and 43-minute trip home. I hadn't really needed to hurry, as there is a train every half hour, but there were too many people in town, and I didn't feel like sitting for another 30 minutes on a bench at the river. 

What my walk looks like on Google Satellite Maps, from Dietfurt to Wattwil. 

These are the walks I have done around Wattwil and the Thur River here. 

Location of Wattwil and the Thur River Valley within Switzerland.