St. Martin - Alp Sardona - St. Martin

From 1346 to 1653 the Calfeisen Valley was home to the free Walser, who had immigrated from Upper Valais. As in other Walser settlements, the struggle against the forces of nature eventually exceeded human strength. Gradually, the farmers emigrated to the Rhine Valley.

We hike on the natural road from the small church of St. Martin above the Tamina to Hochegg. Our view sweeps across to the other side of the valley to Alp Schräa, where the Tüfwald hut sits on a rocky ledge. The Ringelspitz, the highest mountain in St. Gallen at 3247 m, can also be seen. We ascend through the shaded forest to the Malanseralp, which was called Alp Calfeisen by the Walser. The sharp whistles of the marmots greet us in this magnificent Alpine world. Around us we recognize Heitelspitz, Sazmartinshorn, Gigerwaldspitz, Simel, Orgeln, and the Panärahörner. Our path leads us to Malanser Obersäss, junction of the well-known Heidelpass route to the Weisstannen Valley, then continues over raised moors to Alp Platten Obersäss. On this wonderful height we enjoy the panoramic view of the front Calfeisen Valley with the green-blue shimmering Gigerwald reservoir. With light steps we continue over colorful meadows to the Hinteren Plattenbach. Here our gaze turns north towards the Heubützli Pass, which served the Walser as a connection between Calfeisen, Weisstannen and Sernft valleys. Over Plättli and Chäsboden we reach Älpli Untersäss. Our path leads through the Sardona forest to the Alp hut Sardona. On a rocky ledge, below the Sardona Glacier, stands the SAC hut Sardona at 2157 m. We cross the Tamina to the other side of the valley and reach the fifth alp, Ebni. The last ascent takes us to Tüfwald, then downhill back to St. Martin.