Murg on Lake Walen: Gorge, Chestnut Trails and Industrial History

Murg is a locality and local municipality within the political municipality of Quarten in the canton of St. Gallen. It lies on the south shore of Lake Walen, on the alluvial fan of the Murgbach stream. The stream flows through the Murgtal valley and the three Murgseen lakes; the valley stretches from the edge of the village to the lakes. The lakeshore, the stream and the transition from the village to the valley are therefore among the defining landscape features of a stay in Murg.

Murgbach Gorge and Landscape

The Murgbach Gorge, with its glacial potholes, begins just a few minutes from Murg railway station. The potholes were formed by the Murgbach stream over a period of around 15,000 years after the last Ice Age. Red Verrucano rock defines the gorge. The landscape here is shaped by the interplay of stream and rock: its geological history is part of the place, not merely a backdrop to views of the Murgtal valley.

The Murgtal valley offers opportunities for hiking and extends from the edge of the village to the three Murgseen lakes. Those wanting to compare routes of different lengths will find two described options on the Chestnut Trail. The longer route is 2.5 kilometres long and leads from the village towards the Murgtal valley through old chestnut forests. The shorter circular route is 1.5 kilometres long and has an elevation gain of 90 metres. The two routes differ in length and format; the Pro Kastanie Murg association also regularly offers guided tours along the Chestnut Trail.

Another destination for an outing is the chestnut-themed playground, with play facilities and a fire pit. It is described as a family outing destination. So, alongside hiking, the chestnut landscape and a place to play and relax are highlights of the Murgtal valley.

Industrial History and Buildings

The former Murg spinning mill was built in 1834/35 and was considered the oldest cotton mill in the Sarganserland region. It ceased operations in 1996. Today, it is known as the «Alte Spinnerei» industrial heritage site and has been brought back to life. This chronology links the mill’s industrial history with the monument’s present-day name without conflating its former use with its current status.

Smaller buildings also offer tangible points of reference for the village’s history. The stone arch bridge over the Murgbach stream is in the Unterbach quarter and is known to locals as the «Roman Bridge». It is mentioned in the records of the Inventory of Historic Transport Routes in Switzerland. St. Bartholomew’s Chapel was consecrated in 1493. The village church was built in 1760 and replaced in 1975 by a new building with a parish centre.

Chestnut Season and Accommodation

Sweet chestnuts also feature in local events. The annual Marroni meal takes place in November at the «Kastanienstübli». It includes hot chestnuts with various side dishes, as well as wine and music. At the Murger Chilbi fair in October, a «Kastanienbeizli» serves as a stall selling a variety of sweet chestnut products. The two occasions have different focuses: the shared meal is the highlight in November, while chestnut products are on offer at the fair.

Overnight stays are available at the Murgsee Hut. As for transport links, the wider municipality of Quarten is also very well connected via the Mittensee-Murg motorway junction on the A3 (Zurich–Chur) and SBB railway stations in Murg, Unterterzen and Mols.

Discover more destinations: Mols.

Back to the main travel overview: Quarten.