Alpine Panorama Trail
Overview
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Distance 13 km
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Duration 4 h
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Ascent 500 m
Intro
Along the small Urnäsch river, across meadows and fields, through dark coniferous forests and past cascading waterfalls up to Schwägalp - bottom station of the aerial cableway to the Säntis with its fantastic summit panorama.
Description
The fifth stage of the alpine panorama trail begins at the Hotel Säntis, nestled in a lovely mountain backdrop. The culturally rich Schwägalp region can look back on a tradition of over 1000 years. To this day, people continue to practise traditional values in handicrafts, forestry and agriculture as well as local customs. Probably the most famous tradition is the Schwägalp Schwinget. In an arena at the foot of the Säntis, the wrestlers duel each year before an audience of over 10,000 spectators.
Across pastures, through short forest sections and past numerous streams, you hike downhill to Lutertannen for a little more than an hour. The area around Schwägalp is listed in the inventory of landscapes of national importance. Large parts of the moorland are protected in order to preserve the numerous habitats of plants and animals.
Once past Lutertannen, the ascent to the Risi pass follows. The view of the surrounding mountains invites you to rest and catch your breath. During the Ice Age, only the Säntis and the highest mountains of the Alpstein chain protruded from the Lake Constance-Rhine glacier. When the temperature slowly rose around 16,000 years ago, plants grew more luxuriantly and mud accumulated in calmer waters. The first moors in the alps and foothills of the alps developed in glacial depressions and on wet, poorly aerated soils.
Finally, you descend over lush meadows and alpine pastures to the stage destination in Stein (SG). In 2013, the municipality merged with Nesslau-Krummenau to form the new municipality of Nesslau. The farming village traversed by the Thur river is situated between the Alpstein, Churfirsten and Speer mountains and consists of the hamlets of Breitenau, Stiegen, Steinerberg, Hinterberg and Mühle.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Schwägalp
|
|---|---|
| Destination |
Stein SG
|
| Direction |
One way
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| Ascent |
500 m
|
| Descent |
1000 m
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| Distance |
13 km
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| Duration |
4 h
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| Duration back |
4 h 25 min
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| Technical requirements |
Medium
|
| Physical requirements |
Difficult
|
| Season |
April - October
|
| Theme |
To an alp, Along Water
|
Quick Facts
Route number
