Tour: Snowshoe hiking in Toggenburg

There is simply no need for super­latives when it comes to the approx­imately 1,500 metre high Alp Sellamatt – the Alpstein region to the north and the seven Churfirsten peaks with their iconic silhouettes to the south offer one break­taking view after the other. You will have your eyes fixed on the striking peaks of Chäserrugg (2260 m), Hinderrugg (2306 m), Schibenstoll (2234 m) Zuestoll (2234 m), Brisi (2277 m), Frümsel (2266 m) and Selun (2204 m) as you slip into your snowshoes at the Selamatt lift station www.chaeserrugg.ch. The Sellamatt-Zinggen-Trail makes a big circle around Alp Sellamatt – a rambling high plateau that is located halfway between the valley and summits of Churfirsten mountain range. Once the snow has wrapped the stunning landscape in a crys­talline blanket of white, a magni­ficent sense of serenity settles over the area. The only sound is the wind that rustles through the ancient spruce trees, the cawing nutcrackers that wrangle for the seeds of fir cones or the distinctive whistles of alpine chough searching for nour­ishment at lower elev­ations during the middle of winter. And who knows – with a little bit of luck, the beautiful voice of a natural yodeller may be added to this wonderful chorus of Toggenburg sounds, as our video shows.

ROUTE:

Alt St. Johann (890 m) – with the chairlift to Alp Sellamatt (1389 m) – follow the marked snowshoe route via Lämboden (1436 m) – Schriber­sboden – Langlitten (1578 m) – Hinter­lücheren (1545 m) – Zinggen – Alp Sellamatt

You will find more tour tips that include videos at: www.outside-move.ch