477 Palfries-Panoramabike
A round trip with a spectacular crossing over the wild and primordial Palfries plateau. The panorama features the fjord-like Walensee and the rough mountain peaks in the Speer-Churfirsten-Alvier region (a natural monument of national importance).
difficult
Distance 42.1 km
The start and finishing point of this route is the historical village of Sargan at the foot of the Gonzen, where iron ore was mined for a long time. It is now the location of an interesting tourist mine with its own restaurant. After shortly touching on the Rhine, the route climbs steadily to Trübbach, mostly on tarmaced roads.
Above Labria the landscape changes abruptly. A short while later you reach the Palfries plateau, where you will be stunned by the panoramic view. Travelling along the foot of the Alvier mountain chain, you can look over the entire Heidiland holiday region with Sarganserland, Walensee and the Churfirsten. There is an almost 600-year-old town hall that once belonged to the free Walser, a remnant of the former Walser settlement on Palfries, which can now be visited as a museum.
The descent begins with a beautiful single-trail and continues on an alpine road through primordial and wild natural landscapes. From the Sennis mountain restaurant, the route continues over Valaschga, passes the Hagerbach test tunnel and then crosses the motorway back to Sargans.
Above Labria the landscape changes abruptly. A short while later you reach the Palfries plateau, where you will be stunned by the panoramic view. Travelling along the foot of the Alvier mountain chain, you can look over the entire Heidiland holiday region with Sarganserland, Walensee and the Churfirsten. There is an almost 600-year-old town hall that once belonged to the free Walser, a remnant of the former Walser settlement on Palfries, which can now be visited as a museum.
The descent begins with a beautiful single-trail and continues on an alpine road through primordial and wild natural landscapes. From the Sennis mountain restaurant, the route continues over Valaschga, passes the Hagerbach test tunnel and then crosses the motorway back to Sargans.
Author’s recommendation

Author
Cordula Seiler
Update: July 27, 2018
Difficulty
difficult
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
1,720 m
Lowest point
456 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
Asphalt
16.4 km
Dirt road
20.6 km
Forested/wild trail
1.6 km
Path
0.2 km
Road
3.2 km
Unknown
0.1 km
Safety information
HintThe Palfries and Stralrüfi mountain guesthouses and the historical Kurhaus Sennis-Alp offer the chance for something to eat or an overnight stay.
Signalization
This route is only signposted in one direction: Sargans-Kurhaus Alvier-Palfries-Sargans.
Start
Sargans (481 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'752'339E 1'212'465N
DD
47.045705, 9.443531
DMS
47°02'44.5"N 9°26'36.7"E
UTM
32T 533690 5210338
w3w
///hobbyists.before.quietest
Destination
Sargans
Turn-by-turn directions
Note
all notes on protected areas
Coordinates
SwissGrid
2'752'339E 1'212'465N
DD
47.045705, 9.443531
DMS
47°02'44.5"N 9°26'36.7"E
UTM
32T 533690 5210338
w3w
///hobbyists.before.quietest
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Reviews
Difficulty
difficult
Distance
42.1 km
Duration
4:00 h
Ascent
1,250 m
Descent
1,250 m
Highest point
1,720 m
Lowest point
456 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
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Rating
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