Toggenburg is located in the eastern part of Switzerland in canton St. Gallen. It lies between the mighty Säntis massif and the peaks of the seven Churfirsten mountains, where the Thur and Necker rivers take their course.
Toggenburg is a great place to hike with kids because there are so many things to see and do. The views from the top of the mountains are simply breathtaking.
Check out our blog on a day trip with our kids to Baumwipfelpfad Neckertal, the first treetop path opened in Switzerland and located in Toggenburg.
I have always said it and I will say it again, I love Toggenburg!! The mountains, the greenery and the lakes make it one of the most beautiful regions in Switzerland. I have made many excursions in this region and I will keep going back for more!
One of the most memorable excursions I have made in Toggenburg was hiking to the Thur waterfalls. The hike itself is not too strenuous, but there are a few sections where kids might need a helping hand. However, the reward at the end is definitely worth it – the views of the waterfalls are stunning!
For this reason, on a warm sunny Friday, I decided to take our kids for a hike in Toggenburg to visit Thur waterfalls.
How to get here
Thur waterfalls is located almost 100 km from Zurich as well as Schaffhausen. There are many ways to get to the waterfalls:
- By train: Take a train upto Unterwasser and walk for almost 10min to reach the waterfalls.
- By car: You can park at Laui carpark or Sellamattbahn carpark and walk to the waterfalls. Both ways take almost 30min to reach the falls.
I chose to park at Laui carpark and walk down to the waterfalls.
From the carpark at Laui, there are many hiking routes for various levels.
Unfortunately, I was unaware that most of these routes including the one to the waterfalls was NOT very stroller friendly. So if you are planning to do such a hike with your small kids, then below are some pointers for you:
- Carry your infants or small ones (who are still not comfortable hiking) in a baby carrier
- Take lots of water and food. There are hardly any restaurants available
- There is a kiosk at Laui carpark, but it was not open when we visited (so better be prepared)
- There is not much to do at the waterfalls but a lot of things to do at laui carpark (which I will share with you shortly), so manage your time accordingly.
- There are portable toilets at the carpark and the waterfalls, so no worries there
- When you are planning to go on any hike in Switzerland, be prepared for all weather conditions. The weather can change quickly in the mountains, so make sure you have the proper clothing for whatever Mother Nature may throw at you.
- Start early in the day. This will help you avoid afternoon crowd (especially if it is a good sunny day)
Ok, the hike begins now…
Start from the carpark and follow the signpost to the waterfalls.
At the beginning, you need to walk on the mainroad, so be careful if you are going alone with your kids (like I was).
You can either continue walking on the main road or enter the hiking path. This path is too narrow and rugged so I would not recommend to take this path if you are using a stroller. Instead continue on the main road.
As you continue walking on the hiking path, you will enter the next section of farmland where you might see some cows or sheep grazing.
Continue walking until you reach the Lama trekking building. After this building, there is a path to the left that crosses the Thur river, take this path to the waterfalls. Also, say “Hi” to the lamas grazing on the fields.
You will experience some of the most spectacular and breathtaking views of the mountains here. Once you reach the end, you will enter a very tricky and slopy path to the right, it is not completely secured with barriers, so watch out for your kids.
Further slopes down, you will reach a picnic spot. We took a short break to reenergize. After eating homemade sandwiches, bananas and crackers, we were ready for the waterfalls.
And what a sight it was….
After admiring the waterfalls, it was time to head back up.
Hike back up to the carpark with a stroller was a nightmare. A lesson I will always remember!!!
It was a struggle, but in the end, we made it!
After we reached the Laui carpark, we relaxed…
At the carpark there is,
- A playground for kids to enjoy
- A kiosk (when it is open), offers snacks and drinks
- A picnic spot with seating arrangements and barbecue pits.
And best of all, a small stream of Thur river flows through the area, where kids can enjoy bathing their feet and splashing around.
The kids and I had an amazing time hiking in this region. Neel (almost 5y) was my strength. His enthusiasm and spirit kept me strong when it got too difficult climbing and pushing the stroller. Some fun things kept the kids quite excited too like:
- Looking at lamas
- Searching for colorful flowers
- Throwing stones in the river
- Lots and lots of snacks
- And the treats that were promised in the end (playtime in the playground and the river)
Some pointers for the trip:
- The car park at Laui costs CHF 8/- for the whole day
- There is no entrance fee to the waterfalls
If you are looking for a great hike that the whole family can enjoy, then I highly recommend the Thur waterfalls in Toggenburg. The views are simply stunning and it is a great way to spend a day in nature.
So hope you guys get to enjoy your visit to Thur waterfalls too!
If you guys are looking for more ideas of things to do in Switzerland, check out here.
Happy Hiking}
Pss…Dont forget to share your comments below!
Encourage your kids to hike without any fuss and tantrums using some of our ideas. https://www.thesefleetingdays.com/how-to-make-hiking-fun-for-kids-15-tips-and-tricks/
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