Calfeisental round tour in the World Heritage Sardona

Anyone who arrives in Sankt Martin has already left a lot behind them, so 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, it 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 harsher climate.

Before the hike, you can have a coffee in the small dining room by the open fireplace or on the terrace with a view of the glittering Gigerwald reservoir. Then you march into the valley, cross the Malanserbach stream and zigzag up to the Malanser Alp (1832 m above sea level). A few years ago, the first bearded vultures in the Northern Alps were released into the wild. The summit beauties of the Heidelspitz, Sazmartinshorn, Gigerwaldspitz, Simel, Orglen and the Panärahörner can be admired. The famous Glarus main thrust is exceptionally visible on many World Heritage peaks, such as the Ringelspitz or the Piz Sardona.

Via an enchanting high moor landscape, the route continues to Alp Platten Obersäss, from where the front Calfeisental valley with the turquoise shimmering Gigerwald reservoir reveals itself. Past the Untersäss you hike to the valley floor, where drinks and simple dishes are offered on the Zizerser Alp Sardona. The view uphill reveals one of the many geological phenomena of the Sardona tectonic arena. The rock face, on the upper edge of which stands the Sardona hut (2158 m a.s.l.), shows alternating light sandstones and dark 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! Linger as well. The return march takes place on the other side of the valley via Schräawisli. 3.5 hours later you are back in St. Martin, richly delighted by the wildly romantic beauty of the Calfeisental.

Variant e-bike: In St. Martin you can rent e-bikes, easily ride to Alp Sardona and walk from there in about 40 minutes to the SAC Sardona hut.