Welcome to the Swiss Alps is the best way to introduce Segment 4 of the Alpine Panorama Trail. This section is dominated by the size and splendor of the Alpstein Massif and Mt. Säntis. Until this section and more specifically until the Risipass, the Alpstein has been the primary mountain view. After Risipass, the romantic Swiss Alps of stories and movies come into sight and never leave. The Panorama Trail heads predominantly South until the town of Stein, then the trail will head predominantly West along the foothills of the Swiss Alps.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 4, Schwägalp to Stein SG
- Length: 7.5 miles (12 km);
- Hiking time: 4 h;
- Ascent: 1,640 ft (500 m);
- Descent: 3,280 ft (1000 m);
- Fitness Level: Difficult.
More about the 510 km Alpine Panorama Trail: https://www.schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/routes/national-routes/route-03.html
Segment 4 is designed to kick it up a notch with rugged farm hiking and the best views to date. The first part is a 300m descent in the shadows of Säntis. Then a 400m climb to Risipass for a picnic and sweeping views of the Churfirsten Alps and the Glarus Alps behind them. Finally, a 600m descent while looking at the teeth of the Churfirsten range into the Stein Valley.
Schwägalp is really more of a Gondola Station than a town. It sits at the end of a valley blocked by the share cliffs of Säntis. This is the end of the line for cars, buses and anything that relays on flat ground. It takes over 3 hours to travel from Zurich to Schwägalp via trains and buses. As I mentioned at the end of Segment 3, this is a great place to book a hotel room and spend a day or two exploring Säntis and other exciting areas on the other side of Alpstein. If you are not going to spend the night then arrive early and take the cable car to Santis, the view is not to be missed and gives a great preview of the next sections ahead.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 4, #2 – Schwägalp to Stein SG I pass through several farms on this segment and each one is more impressive than the last. These are the farms that raise the cows that produce the milk for the cheese I’m eating in a few videos. The mountain views are incredible.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 4, #3 – Schwägalp to Stein SG I’m walking across an active dairy farm with a fantastic view of Santis Alp. A while later I talk about the land cover and how it’s only suitable for grazing livestock. The ground is basically a moraine field with enough dirt to grow grass and alpine flowers.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 4, #4 – Schwägalp to Stein SG I’m rapidly approaching Risipass where I will cross over heading south. This is our last solid view of Santis and Alpstein. I stop to study the geology and farms within sight.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 4, #5 – Schwägalp to Stein SG I reach the highest point on Stage 4 at Risipass, 1457 meters. After a quick reference looking south at the Churfisten Range, I open up some ‘local’ Alpkäse.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 4, #6 – Schwägalp to Stein SG The Churfirsten range of the Alps is one of my favorite sections and I talk about these mountains several times in the next few segments. As the video progresses, I approach the descent into Stein with magnificent views.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 4, #7 – Schwägalp to Stein SG It’s amazing to meet new hikers from other countries doing this hike. Today, I met 3 different hikers, all camping and all from Denmark – they are not altogether. Their camping is not exactly allowed and they are hiding on most nights hoping not to be caught.
Then I walk through the town of Stein. Stein, St. Gallen has a population of fewer than 500 people. The town goes back to the 12th century but has some recent notable history. On March 29, 1947, the last major town fire in Switzerland occurred in Stein.