Wildhaus – Säntis via the Lisengrat

🇨🇭 Wildhaus and Säntis, Toggenburg, St. Gallen

2Routes

About this guide

Wildhaus in the upper Toggenburg is the birthplace of the reformer Huldrych Zwingli (1484–1531); his birth house can be visited.

The Gamplüt-Säntis-Weg starts at the Gamplüt gondola above Wildhaus. A valley full of flowers leads to Alp Tesel, a zigzag path climbs to the Chreialp, and alpine pastures lead on to the Zwinglipasshütte at 2,000 m, facing the Churfirsten. Below the Altmann the path climbs again, then drops steeply to the Rotsteinpass, partly cut into the rock and secured with irons. From the pass the ridge walk along the Lisengrat, secured with wire ropes, leads to the Chalbersäntis and, after a last steep climb, to the summit of the Säntis, with views from Lake Constance across the Alpstein to the Churfirsten and the Glarus Alps.

Difficulty: The Säntis cable car is closed until its renewal is finished, expected in late autumn 2026: walking back down adds about 5 hours, or stay overnight at the Rotsteinpass or the Alter Säntis. A white-red-white mountain trail throughout and a long climb of about 1,500 m. The descent to the Rotsteinpass is steep, partly cut into the rock and secured with irons; the Lisengrat is secured with wire ropes and needs a head for heights. Klangweg: a comfortable path, also for wheelchairs.
Getting there: Gamplüt gondola from Wildhaus to the start. No cable car down from the Säntis until the renewal is finished, expected in late autumn 2026. Klangweg: chairlift from Alt St. Johann to Alp Sellamatt.
Food & drink: Bergrestaurant Gamplüt at the start; Zwinglipasshütte SAC, Berggasthaus Rotsteinpass and Berggasthaus Alter Säntis on the way. The summit restaurant is closed during the cable car renewal in 2026. Klangweg: Bergrestaurant Iltios at the end.