3 Hikes around Walensee / Glarus, St.Gallen

Hikes close to Zurich.

If you are looking for an easy and fast escape from Zurich, then Walensee area is very convenient! You have so many options any time of the year, longer, shorter, with kids or without, hardcore or easier.

Walensee partially belongs to Canton Glarus but mainly to St.Gallen. It creates the western part of Heidiland, which is famous holiday region. From the north, it’s covered from the cold and winds by Churfirsten peaks (therefore, you find lovely vineyards on its shores) and from the south it’s framed by summer and winter resorts on Flumserberg.

1. FLUMSERBERG – FROM ZIGER TO TANNENBODENALP

Great alpine hike, where you reach 2100 high meters, with wonderful 360 degrees views and very easy. You can of course make it more challenging if you hike up from Tannenboden (about 800 high meters gain).

• Start at Unterterzen and take gondola up to Maschgenkamm or start directly from Tannenboden for an extra elevation and training.
• Follow the route on the ridge up to Zigerfurgglen and then down direction to Seebenalp.
• You can choose from many other options, longer routes, shorter, with more elevation or less, depending on time you have and how fit you are.
• There is plenty of bbq spots around Grosssee and we found one about 80m above the lake. Perfectly prepared with bbq or place for open fire, wood, bin and table with banks. And the view at Churfirsten is an absolute bonus.
• Don’t forget to pack your swimsuit and jump to the lake for extra refreshment.
• Continue back to Tannenbodenalp to gondola.
• Easy – 7km / 88m elevation / 2hrs walking time

2. FLUMSERBERG – FROM CHRUEZ TO TANNEBODENALP

This loop is suitable also for kids especially if you add summer toboggan into your plan as the bonus at the end of the hike. Right motivation is the key (at least from an experience with my man’s godchildren).

• Take the gondola from Unterterzen to Chrüz (if you take the train or when you drive from Zurich direction, it’s faster to keep the car at the lake) or park your car at Tannenbodenalp and continue with gondola. You can hike it up from there already, I took it easy.
• Follow signs to Seebenalp and you come to lovely 3 lakes – Schwarzsee, Grosssee and Heusee.
• Stop at Berghotel Seebenalp for a meal or refreshment.
• With better visibility, you should see famous Churfirsten on the other side of Walensee. There were also plenty of view points with benches on the way down to Tanneboden.
• There are many ways to go back, I took the forest road to Tannenbodenalp but if you are with kids and you would like to spice it up for them, return back to Chrüz and get down via summer toboggan run. Not just kids would love it.
• Easy – 7.4km / 111m elevation / 2 hours walking time

3. FROM WALENSTADT TO WEESEN

This is a perfect hike during the spring. Trail spreads out on the southern foot of Churfirsten, protected from cold northern winds, and therefore it has got lovely mediterranean climate and could be very warm already in April.

I have done this one in one day, it’s possible but it depends on your fitness level. If I had time and mood to the just one part of it, I would go for the part from Quinten to Weesen (or otherway round from Weesen to Quinten).

PART #1 – FROM WALENSTADT TO QUINTEN

• Start at Walenstadt train station and follow the signs to Quinten. Trail is very well marked. It’s the first section of the route 68 at www.schweizmobil.ch (my favourite website to look for trails).
• Once you get up on the hill after the first climb, called Änge, don’t forget to look up at your right side. You can see famous Churfirsten peaks the best from here.
• If you love picnic and bbq, take the goodies with you, there is plenty of places at the lake to do so after you descent back down.
• You get to the last point of your journey, Quinten. Have a stroll through the village, there is also plenty of options to sit down and enjoy a meal.
• From Quinten, take the boat to Murg or Walenstadt to get back on the train (check timetable at www.walenseeschiff.ch) or you can as well continue all the way to Weesen.
• Medium – 11km / 540m elevation/ 3 hrs 25 mins

PART #2 – QUINTEN TO WEESEN

• Take a boat from Murg or Weesen to Quinten (check the schedule here www.walenseeschiff.ch)
• Make sure you explore Quinten and have a glass of local wine (popular from this area is Quintner Pinot Noir or Pinot Shiraz, you can check it out here www.kuemin-weine.ch)
• Walk towards Weesen (final destination of this hike). Path is very well marked. About half way through, you will pass by Seerenbach waterfall. It has got 3 sections (total of 585m) and the middle one is the second highest waterfall in Switzerland! Make sure you take short de-route and see it and listen to the powerful noise of water.
• Take enough water, it’s really hot there when it’s sunny.
• Medium – 10.3km / 430m elevation / 3hrs 10mins

I wish you loads of fun while exploring this area!