Widnau between the fen and the Rheintaler Inland Canal

Widnau lies on the western bank of the Rhine, in the border region between the Austrian state of Vorarlberg and the Swiss canton of St. Gallen. The area is home to a fen of national importance, the Rheintaler Inland Canal, opportunities to get active on flat terrain, and traces of local and border history. If you are looking for a hotel in Widnau, these different themes can help you choose the focus of your stay according to your interests.

Fen and Rheintaler Inland Canal

The Moosanger nature reserve is a fen of national importance and covers around nine hectares. The Rheintaler Inland Canal flows through Widnau and runs parallel to the Rhine on the Swiss side. It was built between 1894 and 1904 to drain the marshland of the Rhine Valley. Widnau therefore offers different landscape themes: Moosanger is a nature reserve, while the history of the canal is connected with the drainage of the Rhine Valley’s marshland at the time.

Paths, water and activity

Hiking trails from Widnau cross flat terrain. Some sections follow paved roads, but most are on unpaved tracks. When choosing a route, you can therefore take both the terrain and the surface into account. As surfaces may change due to maintenance, check current trail conditions before setting out.

Aegeten outdoor swimming pool has a separate diving pool with one-, three- and five-metre diving platforms. It also has a 47-metre teaching pool with a water slide. Operating conditions may vary by season; check current conditions before visiting. The Kneipp garden offers visitors various Kneipp activities. Another option is the Widnau Welawäag Detective Trail, which can also be completed by bicycle or scooter. The range of activities thus includes different ways to get active, from walking and cycling to water-based and Kneipp activities.

Bridges and local history

The Grenzübergang/Wiesenrain Bridge area is regarded as a place of historical remembrance of the Second World War. The Wiesenrain Bridge opened on 25 May 1914 and is classified as a cantonal cultural property. The Nöllen Bridge serves a different purpose: it is classified as a cantonal bridge for non-motorised traffic. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Widnau was rebuilt in 1903–1904.

Widnau was founded in 1883 as the last political corporation in the canton of St. Gallen. The history of the young municipality was also shaped by the dynamic economic and social changes of the 20th century. Its founding and the changes in the following century provide two distinct time references for local history.

Culture and the border region

Major events such as musicians’ gatherings and artists’ symposia take place regularly in Widnau. Exhibitions featuring visual artists are also part of the cultural scene. If you would like to include an event in your trip, check the dates in advance. The Austrian neighbouring municipality of Lustenau can be reached via the Rhine bridge at the Wiesenrain customs office.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Marbach, Berneck, Rheineck, St. Margrethen, Rüthi, Oberriet, Altstätten, Au.

Return to the main travel overview: Rhine Valley.