Hint

Intro

Let’s go to the colourful, flower-filled Gluristal Valley and to the top of Hinterrugg, the highest of the seven Churfirsten Mountains. A stop at Chäserrugg is a must to let your eyes wander across six countries and 500 peaks.

Description

The attractive tour begins at the plateau of Alp Sellamatt, where you can see the seven peaks of the Churfirsten Mountains. To get to the starting point, take the chairlift/gondola from Alt St. Johann. Through the woods, across wide alpine pastures and karstic landscapes, the path leads up the Gluristal Valley. The area between the Schibenstoll and Hinterrugg mountains is known for its wide variety of flowers, including the rare Hungarian gentian, which blooms in early summer.

All the way at the end of the Gluristal Valley, a mountain trail climbs up a steep hill via a number of switchbacks, leading to the top of Hinterrugg. At 2306 m, it is the highest of the seven Churfirsten Mountains, towering over the Thur Valley and Lake Walen. The reward for the steep ascent is an amazing view of the lake, the surrounding mountains, and the hang gliders taking off nearby. It takes just a few minutes to cross the ridge that connects the peak with the top of Chäserrugg Mountain. The summit restaurant - designed by no less than architects Herzog & de Meuron - is a good place to take a break and look out across six countries and 500 peaks.

The trail continues, first slightly downhill over alpine pastures, before a steep decent leads across rock formations in the direction of Sattel. An easy downhill trail finally takes you to Gamsalp. Before you hop on the chairlift going down to Wildhaus, make sure you take another look across the Toggenburg and the Rhine valley. If you wish to rest for a while, refreshments are available at the Gamsalp mountain station or in Oberdorf, where you have to transfer.

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

Technical information

Show Technical information content
Start location
Alt St. Johann, Selamatt
Destination
Wildhaus, Gamsalp
Ascent
1100 m
Descent
720 m
Distance
10 km
Duration
4 h 35 min
Duration back
4 h 10 min
Technical requirements
Medium
Physical requirements
Difficult
Signalization
Signalisation in both directions
More information https://schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/r...

Map

SwitzerlandMobility Map: This element is not accessible for disabled people.

Quick Facts

Route number

No. 950

Distance

10 km

Duration

4 h 35 min

Ascent

1100 m

Travel information: Alt St. Johann

Current Offers

  • Wildhaus Abend-Schneeschuhwanderung

    Guided tour by trained hiking leaderHot drink and something sweetRental equipment snowshoes and... from CHF 45
    Offer details


    valid: 18.12.2026 - 26.02.2027

    Learn more about Abend-Schneeschuhwanderung
  • Wildhaus Tages Schneeschuhtour Frümseltal

    Guided tour with certified hiking leaderLVS (avalanche transceiver) set including instructionRental... from CHF 90
    Offer details


    valid: 06.02.2027 - 14.03.2027

    Learn more about Tages Schneeschuhtour Frümseltal
  • Wildhaus Lawinenkunde: Theorieabende und Praxistage

    Organisation and leadership by Swiss Federal Diploma Mountain Guides IVBVPresentation on avalanche... from CHF 15
    Offer details


    valid: 04.12.2026

    Learn more about Lawinenkunde: Theorieabende und Praxistage
  • Wildhaus Alpstein Tarverse mit Ski

    Planning and guided tours by IVBV mountain guidesOvernight stay at Zwinglipasshüttesimple but hearty... from CHF 525
    Offer details


    valid: 31.12.2026

    Learn more about Alpstein Tarverse mit Ski
  • Flumserberg Raclette Tour at Flumserberg

    Look forward to a walk on Flumserberg with a delicious raclette you prepare yourself along the way.... from CHF 104
    Offer details


    valid: 01.12.2026 - 29.03.2027

    Learn more about Raclette Tour at Flumserberg
  • Flumserberg Freeride Course Flumserberg: from the piste to powder

    Try your first off-piste turns on the Flumserberg with a ski instructor. First, you'll practice on... from CHF 190
    Offer details


    valid: 14.11.2026 - 01.04.2027

    Learn more about Freeride Course Flumserberg: from the piste to powder
  • Schwende Ebenalp (Äscher) cable car ticket from Wasserauen

    The cable car departs from Wasserauen to the Ebenalp in the Appenzell region. It ascends 723 meters... from CHF 24
    Offer details


    valid: 25.10.2026 - 29.03.2027

    Learn more about Ebenalp (Äscher) cable car ticket from Wasserauen
  • Schwende Thermal Paragliding 30 min in the Alpstein

    During this thermal flight, you'll stay in the air for 20 to 30 minutes and enjoy the surroundings... from CHF 240
    Offer details


    valid: 27.10.2026 - 23.10.2027

    Learn more about Thermal Paragliding 30 min in the Alpstein
  • Schwende Thermal paragliding flight 60 min in Alpstein

    With this thermal flight, you'll stay in the air for 50 to 60 minutes and enjoy the surroundings... from CHF 320
    Offer details


    valid: 27.10.2026 - 23.10.2027

    Learn more about Thermal paragliding flight 60 min in Alpstein
  • Schwende Paragliding Tandem Flight Experience in Alpstein

    Experience the thrill of paragliding in the Alpstein region with a pleasure flight and soar freely... from CHF 190
    Offer details


    valid: 27.10.2026 - 23.10.2027

    Learn more about Paragliding Tandem Flight Experience in Alpstein