Mt Säntis and surroundings

The highest peak in the Alpstein massif, which consists of three ranges lying between the Rhine valley, Toggenburg and the Vorderland of Appenzell, is the Säntis (2,504 m/8,216ft), a mountain much favored by hill-walkers, climbers and those who prefer to make the ascent by cableway. From the summit there are panoramic views of the Vorarlberg, Grisons, Glarus and Uri Alps and across Lake Constance and far into Southern Germany (Swabia). To the northwest of the peak the boundaries of the two half-cantons and of the canton of St Gallen meet. From the Schwägalp (1,283 m/4,210ft; inn, 64b.) a cableway runs up, with only two intervening supports, to the Säntis (upper station 2,476 m/8,124ft; length 2,307 m/7,569ft, height difference 1,193 m/3,914ft, time 10minutes; restaurant and inn, 20b.). The ascent on foot takes 3.5 hours from the Schwägalp and four-five hours from Wasserauen. The railroad line from St Gallen via Herisau (11km/7mi; change trains) terminates at Urnäsch (23km/14mi), from where there is a bus to the Schwägalp (11km/7mi; 30minutes). The road from St Gallen to Urnäsch (32km/20mi) passes through the villages of Stein and Hundwil.