Discover Wartau: Hiking, mountain scenery and history

Wartau comprises the villages of Azmoos, Trübbach, Weite, Oberschan, Malans, Gretschins and Fontnas, as well as several hamlets. You can choose different focuses for your stay: the Wartau Legends and History Trail combines local and legendary history with a longer route. Cultural history can also be explored at the Magletsch Artillery Fort and through the collection at Postlis Stadel. The Rhine embankment and valley plain invite you to take walks, while the Palfries plateau offers routes for biking, climbing and hiking. Whether you are planning to explore architectural history, get active or do both, Wartau’s different places and activities give your trip a variety of highlights.

Fortress, castle ruins and local history

The Magletsch Artillery Fort was built during the Second World War and formed the northeasternmost cornerstone of the Sargans Fortress. The fort has a tunnel system four kilometres long. On the interior tour, an inclined tunnel about 150 metres long leads to an upper level around 30 metres higher. A special tour includes a visit to the historic IR searchlight position. The two tours therefore offer different focuses: one takes you through the inclined tunnel, while the other visits the searchlight position.

Wartau Castle Ruins lie east of Gretschins on St. Martin’s Hill and are visible from far away. Four or five storeys remain; the tower is 22 metres high, and the walls are up to 1.75 metres thick. In Gretschins, the Romanesque Church of St. Martin was built in 1493 and is a defining feature of the village. Together, the ruins and church offer different starting points for exploring the municipality’s architectural history.

The collection at Postlis Stadel in Oberschan comprises more than 1,000 objects. Its areas range from domestic life and agriculture to crafts, winegrowing, embroidery and the fire brigade. It thus offers a glimpse into everyday life and a range of different occupations. Guided tours are available on request; a tour provides a combined overview of the collection’s themes.

Trails and activities throughout the year

The Wartau Legends and History Trail connects historically significant sites and paths within the political municipality of Wartau. The 12-kilometre route takes about four hours and passes 20 legends and themed information boards. It is suitable for families, school classes, hikers and bikers. Given its length and approximate duration, the route makes for an extended outing. For more leisurely walks, the car-free Rhine embankment and the field paths across the extensive valley plain are also inviting.

The Palfries plateau offers a wider choice of routes for biking, climbing and hiking. In winter, the Alvier range offers opportunities for skiing and snowshoe tours. You can therefore choose activities based on your interests and the season: Palfries is associated with several outdoor pursuits, while the winter sports mentioned are specifically in the Alvier range.

Getting to Palfries and Wartau

The Palfries cable car takes visitors directly from Heiligkreuz to the high plateau. Operating schedules may change, so check the current timetable if you plan to take the cable car. The toll road to Palfries runs via Oberschan. As tolls and road conditions may change, it is advisable to check both before setting out.

Wartau is accessible via a connection to the A13. The railway station is in Trübbach. A border crossing into the Principality of Liechtenstein provides another transport link. These landmarks can help with planning outings, while the two specific ways of getting to Palfries are the cable car and the alpine road.

Discover more destinations: Grabs, Sennwald, Gams, Sevelen, Buchs

Return to the regional travel overview: Werdenberg.