Hemberg between village districts and moorland
Accommodation in Hemberg
Hemberg is a locality in the political municipality of Neckertal, in the Toggenburg region of the canton of St. Gallen. The village lies in the pre-Alpine hills on the upper Necker, on a hilltop 945 metres above sea level, west of the river. Meadows and pastures surround the crest. From Hemberg, the view stretches across the Neckertobel towards Appenzell and over the Toggenburg hills. The village has two distinct parts: Oberdorf and Unterdorf differ in their development and architectural features.
Oberdorf, Unterdorf and local history
Oberdorf grew up around the Catholic church and consists mainly of simple wooden buildings with gabled roofs. Unterdorf lies on a saddle; its compact development and long street space shape the village scene. The Reformed church with its front tower stands in this part of the village. Built in 1779–80, it is considered a landmark of Hemberg. Stately late-Baroque houses known as Toggenburg houses stand along the main street connecting the two districts. Together, the churches, street space and different architectural styles create several distinctive features in the village scene.
The village’s history is also reflected in names and dates: Hemberg is documented under the name “Hemmenberch” from 878 and as “Hembere” from 1225. Records from 878 indicate that the Abbey of St. Gallen owned property here early on. The revived Hemberg hill climb was first held on the Bächli–Hemberg course in 2012.
Hills and moorland
Views across the Neckertobel and the Toggenburg hills shape Hemberg’s landscape. Another striking natural area is the Chellen moorland: the Salomonstempel lies on the gently rolling plateau between Hemberg and Ebnat-Kappel. The expansive hills and a named moorland between two localities offer contrasting landscape features.
The Salomonstempel comprises two plots covering around 3.7 hectares in total; one of them lies in Hemberg. Both plots are listed in the federal inventories of raised and transitional bogs and of fens of national importance. The approximate area and inventory designation give this natural area a specific identity beyond the general impression of the hills.
Circular trails and special places
The “Beizen-Tour” is a culinary circular hike that takes in every restaurant in Hemberg and Bächli. If you would like to include dining in your outing, this route explicitly combines restaurant stops with a walk.
At Seeli, a covered wooden bridge crosses the stream. There are also water-powered installations with a weir, water intake and screen cleaner, as well as a small rest area with a fire pit. Some installations may require maintenance; check their condition before your visit. From the bridge and technical installations to the rest area, the place can be described through several distinctive features.
The Neckertal cultural trails also pass through Hemberg. The network comprises seven circular routes with more than 100 information boards in total; one section runs through the village. Hemberg is therefore part of a larger network of cultural trails, while the figures for the routes and boards refer to the network as a whole.
Music and seasonal experiences
The “Concerts on Hemberg” feature various classical and folk music ensembles with musicians from the region. The programme may vary from season to season. If a concert is essential to your trip, check the dates and the specific programme for your travel period.
The Hemberg ski lift has a magic carpet and a platter lift, with terrain for families, beginners and young skiers. The offering is seasonal and depends on snow conditions. Before your trip, check whether conditions will be suitable for your dates. This clearly distinguishes winter activities from the lasting themes of village character and landscape: the ski lift depends on the season and snow.
Discover more destinations: Libingen, Ganterschwil, Ebnat-Kappel, LĂĽtisburg, BĂĽtschwil, Wattwil, Krinau, Mogelsberg
For the broader travel overview: Toggenburg.
