St. Martin - Alp Sardona - St. Martin

From 1346 to 1653, the Calfeisental was home to the free Walsers who had immigrated from the Upper Valais. As in other Walser settlements, the fight against the forces of nature over time exceeded human power. Gradually, the farmers emigrated to the Rhine Valley.

On the natural road we walk from the small church of St. Martin above the Tamina to the Hochegg. Our gaze wanders to the other side of the valley to Alp Schräa, where the hut of the Tüfwald is enthroned on a rock pulpit. Also the highest St. Gallen mountain with 3247 m, the Ringelspitz, can already be recognized. We ascend through the shady forest to the Malanseralp, which was called Alp Calfeisen by the Walsers. The shrill whistles of the marmots welcome us to this magnificent alpine world. Around us we recognize Heitelspitz, Sazmartinshorn, Gigerwaldspitz, Simel, organs and the Panärahörner. Our way leads us to the Malanser Obersäss, junction of the well-known Heidelpass route into the Weisstannental, then we continue over raised bogs to Alp Platten Obersäss. On this magnificent hill we enjoy the panoramic view of the front Calfeisental with the green-blue shimmering reservoir Gigerwald. With light steps we continue over colorful meadows to the Hinterer Plattenbach. Here we look north to the Heubützli Pass, which served the Walsers as a connection between Calfeisen, Weisstannen and Sernftal. Via Plättli and Chäsboden we reach the Älpli Untersäss. Our path leads us through the Sardona forest to the alpine hut Sardona. On a rocky pulpit, below the Sardona Glacier, stands the SAC hut Sardona at 2157 m. We hike over the Tamina to the other side of the valley and reach the fifth alp, the Ebni. The last ascent takes us to Tüfwald, then we go downhill back to St. Martin.