Vilters-Wangs: Pizol, Trails and History

Vilters-Wangs is a municipality comprising the two villages of Vilters and Wangs. Wangs is located in the Sarganserland constituency in the canton of St. Gallen. The municipality is considered a place with a largely intact townscape and rich natural surroundings at Pizol. For many of the experiences featured here, Wangs is a specific starting point: gondolas run from there up to Pizol, and the Pfarrer-Künzle-Weg begins in the village.

Puzzles, water and birdhouses at Pizol

The five gondolas with a MounTeens design make the ride from Wangs up to Pizol an experience with original voices from the audio drama, accompanying music and interactive puzzles. The MounTeens Detective Trail also features puzzles, but follows its own sequence of stations: at ten story stations, you collect solution letters at stations 2 to 9, which are checked at station 10. This distinguishes the interactive experience in the gondolas from the puzzles along the trail.

The Water Forest is located at Furt on Pizol, in a forest clearing with a stream and waterfall. The facility includes water channels, water sprayers, marble runs and fire pits for barbecuing. Take the gondola from Wangs to the Furt mountain station; from the mountain restaurant, it is another five-minute walk. As access may depend on seasonal lift operations, check the lift’s operating status before your visit.

The Vogeldörfli, an open-air museum with handmade birdhouses, is right next door. Children can build and display a birdhouse themselves. Water play and hands-on crafting are thus two different ways to enjoy the attractions at Furt.

Hiking trails between the raised bog, lake and panoramic views

The 2-Lake Hike leads from Pardiel through a raised-bog landscape, past Lake Viltersersee and on to Lake Wangsersee. This green-blue lake lies on the Pizol high plateau. The Pizol Panorama High Trail offers different landscape impressions: it runs between Laufböden and the Pizolhütte and features a walkable summit panorama. At the Tagweidlichopf viewpoint, there is a Grand Tour of Switzerland photo spot. Information boards also explain the formation of the Alps in the region; the trail is dedicated to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Sardona Tectonic Arena.

The Pfarrer-Künzle-Weg also combines exercise with a thematic focus. The six-kilometre circular trail features more than 37 illustrated herb panels and 16 biography panels. It begins at Rathausplatz in Wangs and passes the church in Wangs. This sets it apart from the Pizol trails, which focus primarily on the raised bog, lake and mountain panoramas.

Garmil hike with a regional picnic

The Garmil Culinary Hike at Pizol is considered an easy route. It is 6.6 kilometres long, with a walking time of about 2.5 hours. The starting point is the valley station in Wangs. The hike includes a packed rucksack filled with regional treats. For two people, the listed items are Salsiz from Kalberer butcher’s shop and sliced wholemeal bread from Hermann bakery, both from Wangs. As seasonal availability, booking details and rucksack contents may change, check the current offer for these details before planning your trip.

Winter activities at Pizol

In winter, Pizol offers night sledging on a floodlit run, optionally with a fondue meal. The sledging run leads from the Furt mountain station through the Mattwald forest to the Maienberg mid-station in the winter sports area above Wangs. The Riderpark between Gaffia and Furt is for freestylers and snowboarders of all ability levels. It has beginner, intermediate and advanced areas with butter boxes, tubes and kickers. The setup and obstacles may change over the course of the winter season; check the current conditions before your visit.

Wangs and its history

Wangs was first mentioned in writing in a document issued by Emperor Lothair I on 17 October 841 AD. A document issued by Emperor Otto II in 980 records the donation of the place “Berau”, along with the chapel in Uuanga (Wangs), to Einsiedeln Abbey. The area’s historical religious character was also shaped by the long-standing influence of Pfäfers Abbey and pastoral care provided by the parish of Mels.

The history between the two villages has also been passed down: in the late Middle Ages, Vilters and Wangs had border disputes over the Valeis ravine. After being damaged in connection with these disputes, St. Medardus Church was rebuilt by Pfäfers Abbey in 1785. These historical milestones add a perspective on the municipality’s development to its trails and nature experiences.

Discover more destinations: Sargans, Flumserberg, Quinten, Tannenheim, Vättis, Bad Ragaz, Mels, Quarten

For the broader travel overview: Sarganserland.