Krinau: Heritage and Hiking

Krinau is a locality in the municipality of Wattwil in Toggenburg, eastern Switzerland; it was formerly a political municipality. The village lies at an altitude of 803 metres, and an elevation range of 625 to 1,243 metres is given for the locality. Krinau is situated in a side valley of the Thur, in the midst of a hiking area and away from through traffic. Local history and hiking offer different ways to shape your stay.

Historic village centre and church

The compact historic village centre lies on the left side of the valley and dates from the 16th to the 18th century. It consists almost exclusively of old houses of a traditional architectural style; they probably originated in the 18th or early 19th century. On a walk around the village, it is worth distinguishing this cautious dating of individual houses from the broader time period assigned to the village centre.

A striking feature of the village is the Reformed parish church. It stands in a walled cemetery, was built in 1724–25 and has a front tower with a pyramidal roof. The church is considered a landmark of Krinau. Its construction period provides a specific point of reference if you are exploring the history of the village and its historic buildings.

Krinau was first mentioned in a document in 1357. The estate and bailiwick were owned by the Counts of Toggenburg and were acquired by the Prince Abbey of St. Gallen in 1468. Historically, Krinau was also a free municipality with its own lower court jurisdiction and its own Landsgemeinde (open-air assembly). These dates describe different aspects of local history: the first recorded mention, the ownership at the time and the former political independence.

Weaving and literary connections

In Feldmoos is the Graf weaving mill, founded in 1865, located in a forest clearing above the stream ravine. The textile factory is the only surviving witness to the factory-based textile industry on Krinau territory. It adds a chapter of local industrial history to the impression made by the historic village centre.

Ulrich Bräker is also connected with Krinau: the hamlet of Dreischlatt, which belongs to the village, is where the writer (1735–1798) spent his youth. The “Ulrich Bräker” experience package draws on this connection. It includes a guided hike on the Bräker circular trail with information about Bräker’s life and work, followed by a meal at the Atelier-Café Daniel Gisler. The guided hike starts and ends in Krinau at Sonnenhalde 129. Check the current booking details before your trip.

Hike to Chrüzegg

The hike from Krinau to Chrüzegg leads to a viewpoint from which Köbelisberg, Kronberg, Säntis and Hochalp can be seen when visibility is good. These named peaks give you a specific idea of what the view from this destination may include; visibility depends on the weather. To travel by public transport, take the S4 from St. Gallen to Lichtensteig and then bus 772 to the Krinau, Rössli stop. Check the current timetable before setting off.

There is free outdoor parking for hikers at the Dorf car park in Krinau. If you are travelling by car, you can include this option in your plans; check local conditions before you arrive. The route thus connects a named starting point in Krinau with the Chrüzegg viewpoint, without implying a walking time or level of difficulty.

Guided tours and local experiences

The Atelier-Café Daniel Gisler is a restaurant that requires advance booking. It opens for meals for groups of four or more, with a reservation. Cultural offerings include guided tours of a historic farmhouse, parts of which are about 350 years old, as well as insights into the studio of artist Daniel Franz Gisler. When planning, you can decide whether you are mainly interested in a meal, a guided tour or a look inside the studio.

The “Bibliophilia” experience package offers a private afternoon in the house library of the Atelier-Café, with coffee, tea or a glass of Prosecco served. The package also includes a three-course meal. Booking conditions vary by season. If you plan to include this experience in your stay, check availability and conditions in advance.

Whether you are interested in the historic church, industrial and literary history, or the hike to Chrüzegg, the experiences described offer different ways to explore Krinau. Use your interests as a starting point when planning a suitable stay.

Discover more destinations: Mosnang, Mogelsberg, Kirchberg, Wildhaus, Lütisburg, Lichtensteig, Nesslau-Krummenau, Wattwil

Back to the main travel overview: Toggenburg.