Thur waterfalls

The Thur waterfalls (Thurwasserfälle) are a pair of cascades at Unterwasser, in the municipality of Wildhaus-Alt St. Johann, in Switzerland's Toggenburg region (canton of St. Gallen). The tallest drop measures 23 metres, and a short stroll from the village centre brings you to the viewing platforms.

Where are the Thur waterfalls?

The cascades sit in the upper Thur valley right beside Unterwasser, beneath the Churfirsten and Säntis massifs. According to the Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, the river Thur begins near Unterwasser where two headstreams meet: the Wildhuser Thur and the Säntisthur. The falls lie on the Säntisthur branch. Here the water tumbles into a rocky half-cave rather than down an open slope.

How do you get to the falls?

From the village square in Unterwasser it takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes on a flat, well-signed path. The postbus stop is in the village itself, so public transport works well. The route suits most visitors, including families, though the ground can be wet after rain.

What will you see?

Wooden walkways run along the rock walls, joined by lit tunnels cut through the stone and several viewing decks that give both close-up and elevated views. A gallery with a lookout terrace was built in 1927 by Ernst Waldburger. During snowmelt you hear the roar from afar and a fine mist coats the railings.

When is the best time to visit?

Flow is strongest from late spring through August, when snow melts in the mountains and rain is frequent. Visitors in late October and November have described the falls as almost dry, so check conditions before you travel. Spring and summer give the most impressive show.

Which walks pass the falls?

The falls make a handy stop on a longer outing:

• Unterwasser – Thurwasserfälle – Gräppelensee – Alt St. Johann: about 8.9 km, around 3 hours, roughly 500 m of ascent, a high point of 1,346 m, grade T1, recommended May to October. Gräppelensee lies in a fen and has fire pits and a swimming spot.
• Wildhaus – Gamplüt – Thurfälle – Unterwasser: about 3 hours, following the Säntisthur toward its source and down to Unterwasser.

Distances vary slightly between sources, so check a current map or the trail signs before setting out.

Frequently asked questions

How tall are the Thur waterfalls?

The highest drop is 23 m. The falls consist of two cascades.

How long is the walk from Unterwasser?

About 10 to 15 minutes from the village square along a flat, marked path.

Can you visit all year?

Access is easy in the warm season. Outside it, flow can be very low, and a few visitors report dry falls in autumn. We give no opening hours or fees because we found no official figures; ask the Unterwasser tourist office.

Where can you continue from here?

Follow the trail to the Gräppelensee lake and on to Alt St. Johann, or head up the Säntisthur valley toward Wildhaus.