Gams: Parish Church, Old Mill and Hiking

Gams combines local history with opportunities for active days. If you are looking for a hotel in Gams, you can base your choice on whether you would like to visit historic sites, go hiking, play golf or explore trails on Gamserberg. The parish church, the Old Mill, two hikes with different details and the regional cycling network offer a range of starting points.

Parish Church and Old Mill

The neo-Gothic parish church of Gams is dedicated to Saint Michael. Two dates are relevant to its history: the site was first mentioned in the older imperial land register in 835; the church in its present form was consecrated on 18 November 1868. The earlier reference therefore relates to the site, while the later date marks the consecration of the church in its present form.

The Old Mill also has its own historical significance. With its original structure intact, it is the oldest building in the municipality of Gams; it was first mentioned in writing in 1461. This year marks its first written mention, not necessarily the year it was built. Artists also perform at the Old Mill. The building’s history and its cultural use are therefore two distinct aspects.

In August 2026, the parish church door was open every day for prayer, finding peace, lighting candles or admiring the stained-glass windows. Check before visiting whether daily access is still available. This lets you plan a visit to the church without confusing the building’s historical significance with its current accessibility.

Hiking on Gamserberg and to the Hohensax Ruins

Gamserberg offers a variety of tour options for hikers, bikers and walkers on well-developed, well-signposted roads and trails. One hiking route from Gams to the Hohensax Ruins starts at the Gams, Post stop. The ruins rise on a rocky ridge above the Rhine Valley, providing this hike with a clearly defined destination. Check current trail conditions before planning a route.

Another option is the “From Gams around Mittelwald” hike. It starts and ends at Gams, Post (478 m), is 13.6 kilometres long and takes 4 hours and 30 minutes. Both hikes therefore start at the same stop; for the Mittelwald loop, it is also the endpoint. The tour details differ, too: both the distance and duration are given for the Mittelwald hike, while the Hohensax route is centred on the ruins as its destination. This makes it possible to compare the options by destination and time required.

Golf and Cycling

Gams-Werdenberg Golf Club offers green-fee options to visitors on weekdays and weekends. Conditions may change seasonally, so check them before making plans. The practice facilities include a chipping and pitching area, a putting green, and several covered and uncovered mat and grass teeing areas. Alongside its green-fee options, the club therefore offers a range of practice areas.

Cycling is also popular in the Werdenberg region, which has 140 kilometres of well-signposted cycle paths and marked mountain biking trails. The regional context is important here: the distance refers to the Werdenberg region, while a variety of tour options for bikers are noted on Gamserberg itself. If you would like to include hiking, cycling and golf in your travel plans, you can consider these as separate activities and check the current conditions for each in advance.

Gams and the Werdenberg Region

Gams is part of the Werdenberg region in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley, on Switzerland’s eastern border. Along much of the Rhine between Trübbach and Sennwald, the region borders the Principality of Liechtenstein. This regional setting complements the specific places of interest in Gams: the parish church and Old Mill represent local history, while hiking and cycling opportunities offer different activities. When choosing a hotel in Gams, you can weigh up which of these themes matters most for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Buchs, Wartau, Grabs, Sennwald, Sevelen.

Go to the main travel overview: Werdenberg.