Schwägalp – View of the Säntis North Face loop from Grenzchopf

Hiking trails & Routes

St. Gallen

Schwägalp – View of the Säntis North Face loop from Grenzchopf

Easy

4.6

(29)

314

hikers

Schwägalp – View of the Säntis North Face loop from Grenzchopf

01:29

5.12km

130m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 5, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

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1.96 km

Quiet zone

Highlight • Viewpoint

Some benches in an idyllic clearing, with a view of the Kronberg. The northern path is closed from here in winter (wildlife resting zone).

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2.04 km

Laternliweg

Highlight • Trail

In winter, a "Laternliweg" (lit with lamps) leads from the Schwägalp all the way around and back again, lasting approx. 30 minutes. Particularly beautiful, of course, with snow.

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2.25 km

A beautiful, narrow hiking trail leads you through the idyllic mountain world. The gravel path runs through the sparse forest and over the green alpine meadows - especially beautiful in spring, when the flowers add a few splashes of color.

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2.97 km

On the Geology Stone Park theme trail

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On the themed trail you will learn a lot of exciting things about the impressive Säntis massif and how it was formed over 140 million years. The short circular trail is dedicated to the rock formations layer by layer.

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3.02 km

View up to the Säntis

Highlight • Viewpoint

From here you have a beautiful view up to the summit of the Säntis. Due to its exposed location, the 2,501 meter high mountain is very easy to see - also thanks to the 123 meter high transmission tower.

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3.14 km

Schwägalp

Highlight • Rest Area

Be there early, it's definitely worth it. Little going on and clear air. If possible, start very early to watch the sunrise on the summit!

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3.18 km

View of the Säntis North Face

Highlight • Viewpoint

From here, you can see the north face of the Säntis, including the LSB (Long Distance Ski Area) from Schwägalp. The large and modern Hotel Säntis is also located here.
On August 1st, you can also see the 80x80 m Swiss flag, if it is actually there (weather permitting).

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3.26 km

Schwägalp Cable Car Valley Station

Highlight • Rest Area

Cable car to the Säntis, Schwägalp
The Säntis was the goal of many projects. In 1903, the concession for a cog railway was granted. The planned route was Appenzell-Wasserauen-Meglisalp-Säntis. When the Appenzell-Wasserauen railway line was completed, the initiators ran out of money and the concession expired.
Text / Source: Säntis-Schwebebahn AG
saentisbahn.ch/geschichte

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5.12 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

2.79 km

1.42 km

630 m

276 m

Surfaces

1.54 km

1.53 km

1.40 km

608 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (1,380 m)

Lowest point (1,280 m)

Weather

Friday 9 October

10°C

7°C

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Comments

August 15, 2024,Schwägalp – Schwägalp Runde

Schwägalp (AR)

Distance: 4.2 kilometers
Elevation gain: +/- 133 meters

Parking is available in the large parking lot for a fee (twins available).
Major preparations for the wrestling festival are currently underway, but you'll only see much of it in the main square.

The hiking adventure trails accompany the beautiful path to the Passhöhe restaurant.

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July 9, 2026,Appenzeller Scheibenweg am Säntis

We look forward to your visit and wish you lots of fun!
All information about the Scheibenweg can be found here: naturerlebnispark.ch/erlebnis/appenzeller-scheibenweg

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October 27, 2025,Erste kleine Winterrunde. Über die Schwägalp. Im Schneetreiben bei 10 - 15 cm Neuschnee. Eher nass-kalt.

Not really nice snow yet. Wet and heavy. Temperatures around 1° or 2°, and rather cold and wet with the wet snow flurries. Still, it's nice to be out in the snow for the first time again.
But it's not an unnecessary luxury to get into a hot shower afterward.
It was perfectly fine for running, but it wouldn't have …

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