Discover Vättis

Vättis lies at an altitude of around 940 metres above sea level in the Tamina Valley and is considered the southernmost village in the canton of St. Gallen. The village combines themes such as geology and Walser history with hiking, art and seasonal activities. When choosing where to stay, you can use specific tours and sights as a guide.

Vättis, geology and hiking trails

The Vättner Window is very close to Vättis, at the entrance to the Chrüzbachtobel gorge. It is part of the Sardona Tectonic Arena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The easternmost outcrops of the Aar Massif, the Alpine crystalline basement, can be found at the Vättner Window. The Aar Massif is exposed between Gigerwald and Vättis; at the entrance to the Chrüzbachtobel gorge, you can see the oldest rocks in the Sardona Geopark.

A moderately difficult hike leads from Vättis via the Gigerwald dam to the Walser settlement of St. Martin. The route is 8.1 kilometres long and passes through woodland and open meadows. Along the way, it passes waterfalls, and there are also opportunities to observe wildlife.

From Vättis, the trail leads into the remote Calfeisen Valley, a wild valley with impressive rock faces and beautiful scenery. The Walser chapel of St. Martin stands in the valley west of Vättis. According to dendrochronological analysis, it was built around 1312. The chapel is freely accessible from mid-May to mid-October; check locally that it will be accessible during your trip.

Museum, visitor centre and local history

The Drachenloch Museum is housed in Vättis’s old school and town hall. Its collection includes minerals, Roman coins from the 3rd century AD, original wooden sculptures from the Walser chapel of St. Martin, and tools from the traditional cooperage trade. The museum also displays Ice Age cave bear bones and documents the excavations; the Drachenloch cave lies above Vättis. Guided tours can be booked on request and last about 80 minutes. Arrange your visit in advance.

The former Alpine School houses a visitor centre offering insights into the Sardona Tectonic Arena. It explains the connection between earthquakes and mountain formation and presents past and present earthquake activity in the World Heritage cantons of Graubünden, St. Gallen and Glarus. Highlights include live broadcasts of recordings from seismic stations operated by the Swiss Seismological Service. Guided tours and excursions can be booked; availability may vary by season. The visitor centre is also a starting point for hiking and biking tours in the Tamina Valley.

The Hans Brühlmann circular trail starts at the Kulturbrücke in the centre and loops around Vättis. At seven viewpoints, it compares drawings by Hans Brühlmann from 1910 and 1911 with double-exposure photographs by Korinna Fröhlich from 2021. The circular trail thus focuses on works from different periods, displayed at the same viewpoints.

Walking trails, art and seasonal activities

The Sagawäg for young visitors is a walking trail through the Kunkelstal valley. At five stops, there are books of legends to read aloud, games to play and a competition for children. The sculpture trail features various artworks by the association in and around Vättis; the works can be reached on foot from the village centre. Offizin Parnassia is a historic printing workshop where beautiful books and prints are produced using traditional craft methods. If you are planning a visit, check in advance whether visits are possible.

Recurring events also take place during set periods: the Jakobi Festival is held on the last weekend in July in Vättis and St. Martin. At the Alpabzug cattle drive from Alp Ladils, colourfully decorated cows with large bells and their herders are welcomed in Vättis village square in mid-September. Before travelling, check the annual calendar and confirm the date of the cattle drive locally.

To reach Vättnerberg, the cable car takes eight minutes to reach the Maiensäss, a summer pasture settlement on a car-free sunny terrace at an altitude of 1,600 metres. Confirm that it is operating before you travel. Cross-country ski trails in both classic and skating styles are groomed in Vättis; availability depends on winter conditions. A winter hiking trail leads from Vättis to Kunkelspass. Check seasonal trail conditions before setting out.

Plan your journey to Vättis

By public transport, you can travel via Bad Ragaz railway station and then take the PostBus to Vättis. From Bad Ragaz, the mountain road leads towards Pfäfers and Valens to Vättis; you can travel via Pfäfers or via the Tamina Bridge and Valens. Check current timetables and road conditions when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Bad Ragaz, Vilters-Wangs, Quinten, Sargans, Flumserberg, Walenstadt, Oberterzen, Tannenheim.

Back to the main travel overview: Sarganserland.