Calfeisental round tour in the World Heritage Sardona

Those who arrive in Sankt Martin have already left a lot behind them, certainly all the hustle and bustle, road traffic and everyday life. The old Walser settlement in the Calfeisen valley seems to have been transported back in time. The little church around the few houses dates back to 1312 and was built by the free Walsers who had immigrated from the Upper Valais. They farmed the remote mountain valley until 1653, when they abandoned their settlement here due to the increasingly harsh climate.

Before the hike, you can enjoy a coffee in the small restaurant by the open fireplace or on the terrace with a view of the glistening Gigerwald reservoir. Then you march into the valley, cross the Malanserbach stream and zigzag up to the Malanser Alp (1832 m above sea level) above the tree line. The first bearded vultures in the northern Alps were released into the wild here a few years ago. The beautiful peaks of Heidelspitz, Sazmartinshorn, Gigerwaldspitz, Simel, Orglen and the Panärahörner can be admired. The famous Glarus Thrust is exceptionally visible on many of the World Heritage peaks, such as the Ringelspitz and Piz Sardona.

The route continues via an enchanting high moorland landscape to Alp Platten Obersäss, from where the front Calfeisen valley with the shimmering turquoise Gigerwald reservoir reveals itself. You walk past Untersäss to the valley floor, where drinks and simple meals are on offer at the Zizerser Alp Sardona. The view uphill reveals one of the many geological phenomena of the Tectonic Arena Sardona. The rock face on the upper edge of which the Sardona hut (2158 m above sea level) stands alternates between light sandstone and dark clay slate of the flysch.

One last ascent and the hut at the foot of Piz Sardona and its glacier is reached. Arriving here is nice! And so is lingering. The return hike is on the other side of the valley via Schräawisli. 3.5 hours later, you are back in St. Martin, richly rewarded by the wild and romantic beauty of the Calfeisen valley.

E-bike option: You can hire e-bikes in St. Martin, ride to Alp Sardona without any problems and walk from there to the SAC Sardona hut in about 40 minutes.