Why not go on a summery hike to Pizalun as early as spring? That's what I thought to myself today. Tomorrow also, and so I spontaneously decided on this glorious day to lace up my hiking boots and head to St. Margrethenberg in the canton of St. Gallen.
The starting point for this circular hike is the parking lot of the Tristeli ski lift in St. Margrethenberg. It's the only ski lift there, so you can't miss it. Parking is free here, by the way, at least in the summer or after the winter 🙂
At this starting point, you are already at an elevation of 1198 m, meaning there are only just under 300 m left to the summit. I am hiking this route for the first time. Normally, I start the hike in Landquart, down in the valley at about 550 m. There, you gain a good 1000 meters in elevation. But for today, this short tour is enough.
When you walk through St. Margrethenberg, the path forks. If you take the left one, the ascent is steeper and the descent less steep. If you take the right one... it's the opposite, so to speak. I always choose the steeper ascent. My knees always thank me for it in the end.
[Promotion] My new fleece jacket from RevolutionRace
Since I'm starting around 10 AM already, it's still relatively cool up here. Therefore, I'm taking the opportunity to test my new fleece jacket right away, which was sent to me by the Swedish company RevolutionRace was was provided. I'll introduce the company and jacket in another post soon.
Testing my new fleece jacket from RevolutionRace… thanks for the nice gift #revolutionrace #promotion #141080 #fleece #jacket #hiking #equipment #outdoors
This morning, the jacket is definitely helping me out and keeping me nice and warm until the summit. Despite the good breathability, I'm all sweaty, but it doesn't feel uncomfortable like it does with some other jackets and vests. A more extensive test will follow.
Hike to Pizalun summit
After a good hour, I reach the summit. Here, there's a more or less steep staircase that takes you the last few meters over the rocks. Afterward, you have a super view of the Sarganserland and the Bündner Herrschaft, the wine region of Graubünden. There are several panoramic boards up there that explain the regions and peaks a bit more. After a short stop and a few snapshots, it's time to head back down.
As already mentioned, this now extends for a good 5 km. Along the way, you'll cross many meadows and hills, some of which are still snow-covered, leading to a forest path. From there, unfortunately, you'll walk the remaining stretch over forest paths and roads. However, the breathtaking landscape quickly makes you forget this.
Upon arriving at the first farm, you can observe how the small stream that flows through St. Margrethenberg slowly forms. You then follow this stream down the road into the village and back to the starting point.
Conclusion
A super beautiful hike that can be comfortably completed in 3 hours. If you skip the extensive photo breaks, you can easily do it in 2 hours. What I liked best about this tour was that there are no technical background noises up here, meaning no highway or roads. You either hear nothing or purely the sounds of nature *raves*.
Information about the tour
- Directions Via Pfäfers to St. Margrethenberg
- Walking distance 7.93 km
- Hiking time 3:02 h (including taking photos and breaks)
- Elevation gain: 284 m
- Meters of descent: 284 m
- Difficulty level: Light
- Requirements Sturdy footwear
Places to eat
Stefi's Mountain Farm
Hunter
7313 St. Margrethenberg
Tel.: +41 (0)81 302 39 74
Mountain restaurant Buura-Beizli
The Blöchlinger-Wyss Family
7313 St. Margrethenberg
Phone: +41 (0)81 302 28 15
www.buura-beizli.ch
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On my travel blog Wandernotizen I'll take you along on our family trips around the globe. Between wanderlust and everyday chaos, you'll find honest travel reports, tips, and plenty of material to ignite your wanderlust. 🧭 ❤️ 🏝️