Via Alpina, Stage 2/20

The wide, steep and remote Weisstannental valley awaits with lovely hamlets such as Vermol and the wonderful Champersee lake. You climb high-level trails on the west flank of the valley towards the Weisstannen stage point.

From Sargans railway station, the 13-kilometre hike initially leads through the small town and continues to Mels. Schloss Sargans stands above the town; the castle and town once formed a single fortified complex. In Mels, the route passes directly by the Church of St Martin. The long ascent begins between the last houses and open meadows, soon entering the forest.

The route climbs through wooded slopes to Vermol. Here, the settlement gives way to meadows and pastures before the mountain path steepens considerably. After around two and a half hours, the route reaches its highest point at just under 1,050 m; the Tschess-Chopf lies almost 300 m away. Open ground and stretches of forest then alternate as the path continues at a gentler gradient. Towards the end, the houses of Weisstannen come into view. After just over four hours, the hike ends at the Weisstannen, Oberdorf bus stop.