Berneck among Vineyards, Local History and Rhine Valley Trails
Accommodation in Berneck
Berneck offers several points of interest to help you plan your trip: winegrowing, paths through the vineyards and a rich village history. If you are looking for a hotel in Berneck, you can first consider whether wine tastings, hiking trails or cultural attractions should shape your stay. The municipality lies between a range of hills and a branch of the Rhine Valley; its vineyards form a distinctive part of the local landscape.
Wine and Vineyards
Berneck is the largest winegrowing municipality in the canton of St. Gallen. Around 40 hectares are planted with vines. In the centre, the House of Wine showcases around 100 wines from 20 winemakers from the Rhine Valley, the Sarganserland and Lake Walen area, and the Lake Zurich region. These figures and the wines featured may change over time. The House of Wine includes a small vineyard with all 31 grape varieties grown in the canton of St. Gallen. The house offers guided wine tastings.
The Rhine Valley Wine Trail also focuses on the vines and work in the vineyards. Information panels along the wine trails at Rosenberg and on the Eichholz–Pfauenhalde–Rötiberg route provide information on these topics. The trail is signposted from the village square and leads back there. Check the signs and panels on site.
Hiking Trails and Views
The Rhine Valley High Trail, Route 86, is signposted from Berneck's Rathausplatz (Town Hall Square). It runs along the Rhine Valley vineyards and offers panoramic views over the Lower Rhine Valley and Vorarlberg. The hike is accessible year-round when there is no snow. For planning purposes, snow conditions are therefore the main factor to consider.
The two trails offer different experiences: the wine trail provides information about the vines and work in the vineyards and leads back to the village square. The High Trail focuses on the vineyards and views across two landscapes. If hiking is a priority, these features can help shape your daily plans and your choice of a hotel in Berneck.
Village Centre, Museum and Architectural History
Berneck's compact village centre was rebuilt according to plan after the fire of 1848. The buildings along the main street have a small-town character. At the Berneck Local Museum in Haus zum Torkel, you can explore topics including wine and fruit growing, agriculture, cooperage, pottery and the everyday lives of earlier generations. The stately building stands on the foundations of the Alemannic settlement of “Kelnhof”. The adjoining Torkel houses a magnificent wine press dating from 1682.
Religious art and older architectural history are also part of the local heritage. Berneck Protestant Church features an oak relief by Walter JĂĽstrich depicting the Lamb of God and the symbols of the four Evangelists. The parish church dates back to a church founded in the 10th or 11th century; remains of earlier buildings are preserved underground. Bernang-Rosenberg Castle was built in the early 13th century, belonged to the Abbey of St. Gallen and served as an abbot's bailiff's residence after 1518.
A Walter JĂĽstrich tour includes visits to works of art; dates may vary. Visitors interested in culture can choose between the museum collection, the village centre and art, without combining every attraction into a single tour.
Cycling and Other Activities
Cyclists can reach Au via the Klumpen lane, away from the busy main road. A canal bridge connects the route to the cycle path along the Rhine. Berneck itself is home to the Mittelrheintal pump track. It is open to the public and free to use. People of different ages and backgrounds ride over the bumps on a variety of sports equipment.
Weier swimming pool lies at the foot of the Berneck vineyards and is open seasonally. You can also learn about traditional crafts on visits to Thurnheer Cooperage, where visitors are introduced to the old craft of cooperage. Visits are intended for organised groups and events.
When choosing your stay, you can take the different conditions into account: the High Trail requires snow-free conditions, the wine trail signs should be checked on site, and visits to the cooperage are intended for organised groups and events. This helps you decide whether to focus your trip on wine, village history, hiking or cycling, based on specific activities in Berneck.
Discover more destinations: St. Margrethen, Au, Oberriet, Widnau, Rüthi, Balgach, Altstätten, Marbach
See the full travel overview: Rhine Valley.
