The best hiking routes in St. Gallen

St. Gallen sits in a landscape shaped by its position between the pre-Alpine hills and the broad Rhine basin. Walkers should choose their path based on whether they prefer the structured urban green spaces of the city itself or the flat, watery expanses of the lowlands. The terrain varies from steep, paved city steps to the level, gravelled paths of the river plains, offering very different walking experiences within a short distance.

For a walk dominated by water and sky, the Rheindelta nature reserve on the shores of Lake Constance offers a completely flat landscape. Here, the paths are mostly gravel and dirt, running along dykes and through reed beds where the Rhine meets the lake. It is a stark contrast to the hilly hinterland, defined by wide views over the water and the constant presence of driftwood and wetland vegetation.

This region does not offer high mountain peaks or deep alpine gorges, but rather a transition from orderly Swiss hillsides to open delta wetlands. In November, the lakeside paths of the Rheindelta are often quiet, characterized by bare reeds and grey water, making it ideal for those seeking solitude. Walkers should expect level, exposed dikes rather than sheltered woodland trails.