Hans Brühlmann Rundweg, Station 2

Müliboden with a view of Langgasse and the Calfeisen Valley.

The Görbsbach with its spring water from the Kunkels - also called Mühlbach because of the mills - was a good drinking water supply for people and cattle of the people living in Winkel and on Langgasse ("Hinterbrüggler"). Because the Langgasse was far above the Mühlbach, Wasserwegli was needed for a direct connection. One of these has been preserved, it is even written on and is also tracked in winter. In the past, there were even more such waterways. Until the current water supply was put into operation in 1890, Vättis had only one public village fountain on the church square: this was fed by the Trögli above Vättis (Poppali-Stein area). The route is still visible behind and above the houses on the slag heap. The Tamina, then called "Grossbach", or "Grausbach" in Vättner German at the time, was easily accessible for the "Vorderbrüggler". From this location, Vättis is clearly visible as the gateway to the Calfeisen Valley, the secluded wilderness. In the past, where the Gigerwald dam now stands, it was hardly possible to get through. The Calfeisen Valley was not originally settled from Vättis, but from behind, from the Sardona Pass and the Trinserfurgga from the Surselva. From 1300 to 1652/1653, the Calfeisen Valley was inhabited all year round by the Free Walsers. They built their little church of St. Martin in 1312. Since 2003 there has been the Förderverein Pro Walsersiedlung St.Martin und Calfeisental.

Today, the Calfeisen Valley is the centre of the Sardona Tectonic Arena, a World Heritage Site. 10 Alps with 1000 head of cattle, herded by hearty and rustic alpine farmers, are home in summer. Their pagan-Christian alpine blessing is legendary. Flora and fauna are well known: ibex, bearded vultures, black deer and many more animals are native, part of the area belongs to the federal ban area Graue Hörner. Hiking trails lead to the SAC hut Sardona at 2158 metres above sea level - and from there on to Weisstannen (SG), Elm (GL) and Flims (GR). The 36.5° warm healing water of Bad Pfäfers, Bad Ragaz and Valens comes from the Sardona region. The Ringelkette is the highest mountain range in the canton of St.Gallen.