Rheintaler Höhenweg, Stage 3/6

Mansions dating from the economic heyday in Altstätten; quaint townscape in Eichberg; bread from traditional wood-fired ovens in Hölzisberg; calcite crystals and stalactites in the unique Kobelwald water-bearing crystal caves.

From the Altstätten SG, Stadt bus stop, the hike leads out of the small town. Via Hinterforst, yellow-waymarked trails continue to Eichberg, where the route passes close to the Protestant church. Open meadows, stretches of woodland and settlements alternate along the way. At 22 kilometres and around 1,000 metres of elevation gain, the hike demands stamina despite the easy trails.

After a longer stretch through the forest, the trail passes the Kobelwald Crystal Cave at the foot of the Alpstein region. The route then descends into the Rhine Valley and, via Rüthi, reaches the Rappentobelbach stream. It follows the watercourse for a short while before the final major ascent begins near Plona.

Through forest and across open terrain, the route climbs to Bergli. At just under 900 m, this is the highest point of the hike. The trail then descends via Lögert and Äugstisriet to Sennwald. After a little over six and a half hours, the hike ends near the Sennwald, Post bus stop.