Amden between Lake Walen and the mountain world
Accommodation in Amden
Amden lies on a terrace above the northern shore of Lake Walen. The municipality extends from Lake Walen at 419 m above sea level to the summit of Leistchamm at 2,101 m above sea level, and almost down to the valley floor of the Toggenburg. In this range of elevations, diverse landscapes and activities come together: winter sports are part of the offering, alongside an indoor swimming pool, cultural history and marked trails.
Landscape between lake and mountains
The municipality includes villages shaped by tourism and Alpine settlements with mountain farming. The Schwarzberg core habitat is a deeply dissected landscape of cuesta ridges, interspersed with gullies and landslide zones. These landforms give the area a different character from the lakeshore of Lake Walen. When choosing Amden for a stay, you can first consider whether you would prefer to focus on the mountains, the lake or activities in the municipality.
Winter sports in Amden and ArvenbĂĽel
The Amden ski area lies at an altitude of 931 to 1,684 metres. Its 20 kilometres of pistes are served by six lifts. It includes easy and intermediate pistes, a beginners’ area and a snow park; the two areas are connected by bus. Arvenbüel is a holiday village and ski area within the municipality. As ski facility operations can vary by season, it is worth checking the latest information before your trip.
Cross-country skiing can also be described in specific terms: the “Arventritt” trail in Arvenbüel is around 7 km long and can be used for either skating or classic-style skiing. The Chapf loop in the Arventritt cross-country ski area is the easier route and has no major climbs. Grooming depends on snow conditions. When choosing between alpine skiing and cross-country skiing, different features therefore matter: pistes, lift facilities and altitude on the one hand, and trail length, technique and terrain profile on the other.
The Swiss Ski School Amden offers group ski and snowboard lessons as well as individual private lessons. Booking packages may change, so check the latest information about lessons in advance.
Indoor swimming pool and other activities
The Amden indoor swimming pool has a baby pool, a panoramic whirlpool, a Finnish sauna and a steam bath. Outside, there is a water play area for children. The facilities combine swimming with water sports and wellness. As individual facilities or operating arrangements may change, it is worth checking the latest information when planning your visit.
One special activity is abseiling down the dam wall, which is over 40 metres high, above Lake Walen. Expert instruction and safety supervision by an experienced, certified mountain guide are provided. The activity requires advance arrangements; availability may vary.
Cultural history and getting around
In the early 20th century, Amden was the setting for a social and artistic experiment. This included the utopian Grappenhof project, which began in 1903 and was abandoned in 1912. The dates provide a clear timeframe for this part of the village’s history.
From the Lehni bus stop, where parking is available, you can reach Atelier Amden on foot in about 20 minutes via a marked hiking trail. The walking time is approximate; trail conditions may vary. To get there, the AWA bus runs from Amden-ArvenbĂĽel via Weesen to ZiegelbrĂĽcke. There, it offers connections to local and long-distance transport towards Zurich, St. Gallen, Glarus and Chur. Check the timetable before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Eschenbach, Goldingen, Hintergoldingen, Ernetschwil, Uznach, Weesen, Gommiswald, Rapperswil-Jona.
Return to the main travel overview: See-Gaster.
