Villas in Unterwasser
Unterwasser suits skiers and walkers who want the Chäserrugg lifts and views of the Säntis from a village in the upper Thur valley. Homes mostly sleep around six and few have a pool. The skiing is modest by Alpine standards.
- Villas
- 16
- From, per week
- £521
About Unterwasser
Unterwasser is a village in the Toggenburg, where two streams join to form the upper Thur, now part of the municipality of Wildhaus-Alt St. Johann. It lies between the Säntis massif and the Churfirsten peaks. The homes sit within the village and are mostly sized for around six, with two to three bedrooms, gardens in many cases and a fireplace in many. The Iltiosbahn funicular climbs from the village to Iltios, and a cable car continues to the Chäserrugg at 2,262 metres, which has a restaurant and views across to the Säntis and the Walensee. The ski area is small and shares its pistes with Alt St. Johann. Two cascades on the upper Thur are close to the village.
Is Unterwasser right for you?
- Best for
- Walkers and families wanting a ski village with a summit cable car
- Not for you if
- You want high, snow-sure skiing on a large linked area.
Near Unterwasser
Wildhaus
At 1,107 metres, the highest village in the Toggenburg valley, and the birthplace of the Reformer Huldrych Zwingli.
Alt St. Johann
Neighbouring village that shares many of its ski pistes with Unterwasser and has its own kids' village for young skiers.
Säntis
Peak of the Alpstein massif at about 2,502 metres, reached by aerial tram from the Schwägalp Pass.
Thur waterfalls
Two cascades on the upper Thur, close to Unterwasser.
Getting to Unterwasser
The ski area is about an hour from Zurich and its airport. Buses run to Unterwasser from Nesslau-Neu St. Johann and from Buchs SG, stopping at the Iltiosbahn. A car helps for trailheads and the Schwägalp road to the Säntis, but the village is usable without one.
When to go to Unterwasser
Winter brings skiing, unlimited tobogganing, a ski school and cross-country skiing, and the Chäserrugg lifts also serve winter walks on the Rosenboden plateau. In summer there is a panoramic trail on Rosenboden, plus flower, sound and legend trails on Alp Sellamatt. Lift operating dates change through the year, so check the timetable before you go.
Villas in Unterwasser
5-star property
1-Bedroom Home, Unterwasser
Unterwasser, Eastern Switzerland, Switzerland
2
1
0
BBQParkingDishwasher+11 more
from£124
per night
5-star property
Oberguet
Unterwasser, Eastern Switzerland, Switzerland
6
3
0
BBQDishwasherGarden+10 more
from£178
per night
5-star property
Churfirsten
Unterwasser, Eastern Switzerland, Switzerland
6
3
0
ParkingDishwasherMicrowave+10 more
from£197
per night
5-star property
Haldenhof Schwizer
Unterwasser, Eastern Switzerland, Switzerland
7
3
0
FridgeWiFiWashing Machine
from£108
per night
5-star property
Chalet Lilian
Unterwasser, Eastern Switzerland, Switzerland
4
2
0
BBQParkingGarden+9 more
from£101
per night
5-star property
Studio alte Schmiede
Unterwasser, Eastern Switzerland, Switzerland
2
0
0
ParkingGardenInternet+5 more
from£77
per night
Bijou in Unterwasser
Unterwasser, Eastern Switzerland, Switzerland
4
2
0
DishwasherGardenMicrowave+7 more
from£139
per night
1-Bedroom Home, Unterwasser
Unterwasser, Eastern Switzerland, Switzerland
4
1
0
DishwasherFireplaceFridge+7 more
Jambo Pua
Unterwasser, Eastern Switzerland, Switzerland
10
4
0
DishwasherFireplaceParking+9 more
from£198
per night
3-Bedroom Home, Unterwasser
Unterwasser, Eastern Switzerland, Switzerland
6
3
0
DishwasherParkingTerrace+7 more
2-Bedroom Home, Unterwasser
Unterwasser, Eastern Switzerland, Switzerland
4
2
0
DishwasherFireplaceParking+9 more
from£91
per night
Chalet Stadel
Unterwasser, Eastern Switzerland, Switzerland
6
3
0
DishwasherFireplaceMicrowave+10 more
2-Bedroom Home, Unterwasser
Unterwasser, Eastern Switzerland, Switzerland
4
2
0
DishwasherMicrowaveFridge+5 more
2-Bedroom Home, Unterwasser
Unterwasser, Eastern Switzerland, Switzerland
6
2
0
DishwasherFireplaceParking+6 more
from£74
per night
3-Bedroom Home, Unterwasser
Unterwasser, Eastern Switzerland, Switzerland
6
3
0
DishwasherParkingFridge+5 more
from£117
per night
Schwendimatt
Unterwasser, Eastern Switzerland, Switzerland
6
3
0
DishwasherFireplaceMicrowave+9 more
from£178
per nightUnterwasser villa holidays: questions answered
How high is the Chäserrugg above Unterwasser and how do you get up?
The Chäserrugg is 2,262 metres. From Unterwasser take the Iltiosbahn funicular to Iltios, then the cable car to the summit.
Is Unterwasser good for skiing?
It suits relaxed skiing rather than big mileage. The ski area is relatively small and shares pistes with Alt St. Johann, though the Toggenburg has several resorts.
Unterwasser or Wildhaus for a stay?
Pick Unterwasser for the Iltios and Chäserrugg lifts, which start from the village, and Wildhaus, the highest village in the valley, for Zwingli's birthplace. Both are ski resorts in the upper Toggenburg.
How far is Unterwasser from Zurich?
About an hour from Zurich and its airport. The area is easy to reach by public transport as well, with Postbuses connecting the valley.
Is Unterwasser worth visiting in summer?
Yes. The Chäserrugg has a panoramic trail on Rosenboden plus flower, sound and legend trails on Alp Sellamatt, and a PostAuto bus links Nesslau-Neu St. Johann with the Säntis aerial tram at Schwägalp.
Nearby towns to Unterwasser
Written by the TrustedVillas team. Last reviewed October 2026.
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