Schlittelweg Stoss–Altstätten

Overview

거리 4 km

Hint

Intro

The rack railway of Appenzeller Bahnen takes the sledge riders up to Stoss, the local mountain of Altstätten. The ride on the old pass road leads rapidly along the railway back into the valley: through forests, past the old customs building and always with a view into the Rhine Valley.

트레일 정보

On Altstätten’s local mountain, the imposing view of the Rhine Valley almost makes adults forget the sledging fun. But soon the sledge calls – and most likely the children, too. The ride starts along the snow-covered, old pass road: the start is in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, from the stop at the top of the pass there are almost 100 metres to the start. After a little more than 300 meters you are back in St.Gallen’s Rhine Valley.

The mostly straight road from 1799 guarantees a fast sledging fun. During the descent the new, trafficked road is crossed twice. Here caution is called for. Always with a beautiful view to the Rhine Valley, the route leads through snow-covered forests and meadows. After about half of the way you pass the old custom building, which reminds you of the original function as a customs office next to the old «Stossstrasse». Nowadays there is a restaurant here. After about half an hour you reach the valley station in Altstätten.

Another special feature of the sledging run: when the weather is fine and the number of sledge riders is correspondingly high, there is no need to wait long for the «official» railway. An extra sledge train with transport trolley returns to Stoss. That means: down on the sled, up with the railway, down on the sled, up with the railway – and on and on.