Mattstock

Mattstock

You want to reach a mountain peak with a summit book without being a super athlete? Then the Mattstock in the canton of St. Gallen is made for you. But also otherwise this summit is worthwhile, because the 360° view is fantastic.

The start for your excursion is in Amden, above the Lake Walen. The village is easily accessible by train and bus or by car. From here you can take the Mattstock chairlift (https://www.amden-weesen.ch/Attraktionen/Sesselbahn-Mattstock) from the valley station at 910m to the mountain station at 1289m and save the first 400 meters of altitude. Of course there is also the possibility to walk.

Even though the cable car is called Mattstockbahn and I said you don’t have to be a super athlete, you have to earn your entry in the summit book a little bit. Because even from the top station, a little more than 3km, which take about 1.5h and still over 600 meters altitude up to the 1936m high summit, are waiting. And then you have to walk back, of course. The path leads in zig zag and between huge avalanche catchers upwards. On the last 50m to the summit cross it becomes narrower and stony. But in good weather no problem and secured with a few chains to hold on.

On top of Mattstock you can expect a fantastic view of the mountains of the Glarus and Büden Alps, as well as the Säntis. With good visibility you can also see Lake Zurich, Lake Greifen and even Lake Constance. The way back is the same as the way up. But you can make a little extra round. Below the avalanche catcher there is a signpost to Oberfurggle. This extra path will cost you less than 1h extra, but is also worth it. Just make sure not to miss the turnoff back to the chairlift. Within sight of the Oberfurggle alp there is a sharp, almost 180° turnoff. Take this to go down and through a beautiful forest path back to the mountain railroad.

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