Around the Churfirsten
Overview
Intro
This moderately challenging loop takes you to the Wildhaus ski resort along a minor, little-known road and skirts magnificent Lake Walen.
Description
On leaving Bad Ragaz in Canton St. Gallen, you soon find yourself on the cycle path along the Rhine. The Principality of Liechtenstein is on the other side of the river. You leave the Rhine at Buchs. Not long after, at Grabs, you take a narrow road that quickly climbs above the valley as it heads for Voralp. You ascend 450m over 6km before joining the main road leading to the resort of Wildhaus.
This is followed by a 25km descent along the Thur river. The last 10km are along a charming little road that wends its way through the farms in the Toggenburg.
At Ulisbach, you leave the valley by means of a short yet steep rise to Ricken, where you join the main road and make your way down to Lake Walen, reaching it at the 90km mark.
The cycle path that hugs the lake consists here and there of well-maintained unmetalled sections, which are fine for road cycling; if offers magnificent views of the lake and the Churfirsten massif that looms above it to the north. A 20km section of level path conveys you back to Bad Ragaz and the Rhine valley.
Tip from the Grand Tours Project
At Buchs (km 22), a little detour can be made via Werdenberg to visit this tiny medieval burg with well-preserved timber buildings, most of which are still inhabited.
www.grandtoursproject.com
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
| Type |
Performance
|
|---|---|
| Start location |
Bad Ragaz
|
| Elevation level |
Flatland
|
| Ascent |
1150 m
|
| Descent |
1150 m
|
| Distance |
129 km
|
| Physical requirements |
Medium
|
| Season |
May - October
|
| Theme |
Along Water
|
| Category |
Active
|
