Toggenburger Höhenweg, Stage 4/6

The landscape shifts from mountains to the hilly terrain of central Toggenburg. Past the Regelstein viewpoint and the Ricken Pass village, the route goes uphill again to the Rotstein ridge. The last section calls for a leisurely stroll to your destination for this leg in Chrüzegg.

The hike begins at the Tanzboden mountain restaurant at around 1,430 m, which is also the highest point of the route. The starting point is away from public transport; the nearest stop, Rietbach, is just over three and a half kilometres away. The waymarked hiking trail leads across open pastures, with steady ups and downs, to the Oberbächen alpine inn and onwards along the elongated ridge.

After Regelstein, a long descent leads to Ricken. This middle section is characterised by an alternation of pastureland, stretches of forest and small settlements. From the lowest section, the trail climbs again to Oberricken. Despite the high starting point, this brings the total ascent to around 900 metres.

Beyond the pass, the route climbs steeply once more. At Tweralpspitz, the highest point in the municipalities of Wattwil and Eschenbach, Chrüzegg is already close. After around 16 kilometres and just over five and a half hours, the hike ends there. The destination is also not directly served by public transport; the Atzmännig Schutt stop is around two kilometres away.