Churfirsten
Walenstadtberg Höchenklinik (980m) -> Hochrugg (1320m) -> Paxmal (a peace memorial)-> Schrina Obersäss (1718m) -> Alp Tschingla (1528m) -> Walenstadtberg (805m)
11.2km, 765m ascent / 970m descent, 4h45min
Our original idea was to go up to Chäserrugg, 2262m, from the Walensee side. Studying the map carefully, we figured, it meant “climbing” 1’300m of altitude on some very steep mountain path. Well, we changed plans…
Instead, we opted for a round trip hike over Alp Tschingla with still 800m ascent : )
After one hour’s steady uphill from the bus stop (980m), we reached Hochrugg, 1320m. Picnic lunch time with an awesome view of the Walensee and the Flumserberge on the other side of it.
Passing a couple of charming farmhouses, an gigantic Parthenon-like monument, Paxmal (a peace monument) appeared out of nowhere, on the mountain flank of the Churfirsten!
Apparently, a Swiss stamp engraver and artist called Karl Bickel, built this peace monument between 1924 and 1949, high above the Walensee. The setting is awesome: the backdrop of the soaring Churfirsten peaks.
Our path to Alp Tschingla was steep, but the majestic vertical rock walls of the Churfirsten mountains, paired with a view of the deep-blue Walensee 1,000 m below, was phenomenal.
Finally reaching Schrina Obersäss (1718m), the highest point of this hike, the path levelled out. Relatively easily we arrived at Alp Tschingla and had a tasty home-made almond cake and a cold beer as a self-reward!
With a little more than one hour left to catch the bus at Walenstadtberg, we almost flew down 700 m of altitude and ended up with muscle ache the next day.
More details on today’s route : Alp- und Kulturweg Schrina
More on Paxmal
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