WALSA-Weg
Overview
Intro
Start at Bad Ragaz, where thermal waters have bubbled since 1840. Freudenberg ruins, open to the public, then a long ascent in light mixed forest, with magnificent views of the Rhine Valley and Graubunden’s mountain world. Over seven bridges to Garschlu.
Description
Bad Ragaz in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley is located in the foothills of the Pizol. The town has a long tradition as a spa and is famous for its wellness resort with top-class hotels and restaurants. The nearby Tamina Valley and the gorge containing the healing spring has been known since as far back as the 13th century. The dawn of spa tourism was ushered in when Paracelsus – a doctor and philosopher and the first spa doctor – proved the healing power of thermal spring water in 1535.
The Walsa-Weg route – an abbreviation of Walensee-Sarganserland – starts at the railway station, proceeding along the street towards the wood. From there, it is not far to the 13th century ruin of Freudenberg castle. Beside its imposing main tower, there are also the remains of its multi-section living area. Looking out over the spa and the Rhine Valley, the gaze is drawn to the jagged mountain range containing Falknisspitz, Vorder Grauspitz and Naafkopf. Waldstrasse is followed by an easy climb to Zeiger and, from here, continues on to Narrenberg.
From there, walk through the Tümiwald wood across the Valeisbach stream in the ravine of the same name. The final ascent finishes at a mountain restaurant, a good ten-minute walk from Pizol railway station. The above should take around three hours of walking. The Falknis, Alvier mountain range, Gonzen and Churfirsten will now set an impressively rocky scene, while you take a well-earned break at the restaurant and consider whether you would like to forge ahead with the next leg of the journey or call it a day over a nice cold beer.
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 |
Bad Ragaz
|
|---|---|
| Destination |
Garschlu
|
| Direction |
One way
|
| Ascent |
700 m
|
| Descent |
80 m
|
| Distance |
10 km
|
| Duration |
3 h
|
| Duration back |
2 h 25 min
|
| Technical requirements |
Easy
|
| Physical requirements |
Medium
|
| Season |
May - October
|
| Theme |
With panoramic view
|
| More information | https://schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/r... |
Quick Facts
Route number
