Eschenbach is a municipality in the canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland. You can explore the area through a range of themes during your stay: trails through ravines and recreational areas, ponds and protected areas, as well as chapels and traces of industrial history. If you are looking for accommodation, you can first decide what you would like to do each day and then choose a hotel for your stay.

Nature among ravines, ponds and trails

In the Neuhüsler ravine, the stretch between the wooden bridge in Neuhaus and the weir can be explored along safe paths and walkways. Evidence of early industrialisation can also be seen on the hiking trail through the ravine. Nature and industrial history meet along the same trail here.

The Rietstuck recreational area lies between Eschenbach and Neuhaus and is a popular destination for longer hikes and shorter walks. Rietstuck pond is not a bathing pond, but it provides an attractive habitat for a diverse range of plant and animal life. If you are interested in protected areas, Siessen pond is a nationally significant amphibian and reptile reserve. Rare plants, birds and other animals can be observed in the Rüti nature and bird reserve, on the route between Eschenbach and Schmerikon.

The Aabach ravine is also part of the landscape: it is a varied, mostly forested Molasse gorge carved by the Aabach and an important ecological corridor. Oberfeld pond is a reservoir with tree-lined banks and a nationally significant amphibian spawning area. These places offer a different focus from the trails specifically mentioned for walks and hikes.

Leisure activities and seasonal tours

In summer, the Atzmännig sports and leisure area offers a toboggan run, an amusement park, a ropes course and an adventure trail. In winter, Atzmännig is a popular family ski area. The activities therefore vary clearly by season. Another option is Arena Bildstöckli: it is located amid the municipality-owned vineyard and has an equipped playground.

The Eschenbach border trail is around 56 kilometres long, circles the municipality and follows existing paths that run as close as possible to the municipal boundary. Compared with the shorter walks in Rietstuck, this is a tour covering a significantly greater distance.

Chapels, settlements and industrial history

Chastli-Bürg in Neuhaus is a prehistoric to early medieval hilltop settlement on a promontory, with a cross-wall fortification. St. James's Chapel in Neuhaus lies on the Way of St. James from Ricken to Einsiedeln. The first chapel in Neuhaus was built in 1585 and, after renovation in 1635, was dedicated to Saint James the Elder. A place of worship is documented as having stood on the site of today's St. Vinzentius parish church in Eschenbach as early as around 801.

The waterways also tell the story of how the area was used: Aatal pond in Neuhaus was created in 1864 to generate additional hydropower in connection with the industrial use of the Aabach. Custorhaus in Eschenbach is used for cultural, public and private events. In the Goldingertal lies the 60-metre-deep Goldloch, also known as Isaraloch. Around 1770, four to six miners are said to have searched for gold there each day.

The present-day municipality was formed in 2013, when Eschenbach, Goldingen and St. Gallenkappel merged under the former name Eschenbach. The current coat of arms combines elements from the former municipal coats of arms.

Getting there and finding accommodation

Eschenbach is not connected to the rail network, but has direct bus services to Rapperswil-Jona, Uznach and Rüti ZH, as well as over the Ricken to Wattwil. Bus route 80.622 connects Rapperswil, Eschenbach and Wattwil. Route 80.631 connects Kaltbrunn, Uznach, Neuhaus, Eschenbach and Rüti ZH. The Eschenbach SG, Dorftreff stop is listed in the OSTWIND network; check the current timetable before travelling.

Eschenbach is not limited to a single excursion destination, but offers a variety of starting points for planning your days.

Discover more destinations: Weesen, Ernetschwil, Uznach, Hintergoldingen, Schänis, Gommiswald, Schmerikon, Benken

Return to the overview of the wider travel region: See-Gaster.