Rheintaler Höhenweg, Stage 5/6

Setting off from the highest holiday resort in Toggenburg and featuring the highest point along the Rheintaler Höhenweg route, you will pass through highland moors and a forest reserve, enjoying glorious views of the Rhine Valley and the surrounding mountains along the way. After taking a break at an Alpine dairy, with some Alpine cheese and an Alpine lake, you will hike through multiple forests and meadows. The destination is Berghaus Malbun hotel restaurant, boasting views of Lake Constance.

The starting point is just a few steps from the Wildhaus, Dorf bus stop. At the Reformed church, views of the seven Churfirsten peaks already open up. The yellow-waymarked hiking trail then leaves the village, initially descending towards Lisighaus before beginning the long ascent. It climbs across meadows and pastures to Oelberg; shortly afterwards, at around 1,440 metres, it reaches the highest point of the route.

Beyond the high point, the terrain becomes gentler. Open alpine pastures alternate with stretches of forest as the trail sweeps in a broad arc towards Gamperfin. Voralpsee remains well away from the route, which instead continues along the heights. After the long middle section, the hiking trail gradually loses altitude and approaches Malbun.

After around 15 kilometres and just over five hours, the hike ends in Malbun (SG), a few steps from the Buchserberg, Berghaus bus stop.