Mels combines a geotrail through the village centre and neighbouring wooded areas with historic buildings and scenic trails. Along the Mels Geotrail, more than 30 typical rock specimens bring the history of the Earth to life. The route is 6.1 kilometres long and takes around three and a half hours. You can plan it as a longer activity and make historic sites another focus of your stay. The duration is approximate, as local trail conditions may vary.
Village history and architecture
The Church of St Peter and St Paul has the largest organ in the Sargans district, with 41 stops. Together with the rectory, the church is protected as a Swiss heritage site of national importance. On the historic village square, the octagonal natural-stone fountain dating from 1850 stands out. Closely spaced houses frame the streets that radiate from it. The fountain, church and village square provide tangible points of reference for local history, without any one building overshadowing the others.
Nidberg Castle also tells the story of several phases of construction. It dates back to a 13th-century castle that burned down in 1437; in 1565, the small castle was rebuilt as a country residence. Another historic milestone dates to 1650, when Mels was chosen as the site of the new Capuchin monastery. The castle thus represents the transition from a medieval fortress to a 16th-century country residence.
Trails through moorland and countryside
Mels is located in the Seez Valley, in the Sarganserland constituency of the canton of St. Gallen. The village lies between Mount Gonzen, the Rhine and the Seez; Pizol is within the municipality. The landscape of Mels is shaped not only by prominent mountains and rivers: moors, dry habitats and smaller streams also characterise the areas described here.
The nature reserve near Chapfensee is known for its moors and rare bog plants. The Chapfensee–Vermol circular trail passes through a nature reserve and unspoilt moorland to the Chapfenstein viewing platform. The route description thus links a moorland landscape with a specific viewpoint. Across the entire Melser Hinterberg, extensive protected litter meadows include fens, raised bogs and dry habitats of regional and national importance.
The Chapfensee Bike route offers a separate option for cycling tours: it starts and ends in Mels and passes through protected moorland around Chapfensee. This distinguishes it from the Chapfensee–Vermol circular trail, which is described as a hiking route leading to the viewing platform. The distinction matters when choosing a tour: Chapfensee Bike is a cycling route through protected moorland, while Chapfensee–Vermol is a hike to the viewing platform.
In the intensively farmed Rheinau, the Giessen streams are a defining feature of the landscape. Together with the adjacent alluvial woodland, they provide habitats for numerous rare and endangered breeding bird species. The Giessen streams are also home to a richer and more diverse range of animal and plant life than the fast-flowing Rhine. Here, the focus is on streams and alluvial landscapes, while around Chapfensee, the described character is shaped primarily by moor habitats and their plant life.
At 2.5 kilometres, the Sargans–Mels Wine Trail is shorter than the 6.1-kilometre Mels Geotrail. It runs between Sargans and Mels through vineyards and meadows and along the forest. While the geotrail combines rock specimens, the village centre and wooded areas, vineyards and meadows define the Wine Trail. Seasonal conditions along the Wine Trail may vary.
Alp Kohlschlag and regional products
Alp Kohlschlag is a destination for excursions, hiking and mountain biking. Facilities there include barbecue areas and a small alpine dairy tavern. Its range of products also offers a glimpse into alpine farming: these include full-fat semi-hard alpine cheese, plain Mutschli cheese, herbs and spices, natural and fruit yoghurt, and alpine butter. Yoghurt is sold directly from the alp. For trip planning, Kohlschlag can be considered a destination in its own right for outdoor activities, a place to eat and regional products.
Discover more destinations: Vilters-Wangs, Flumserberg, Quinten, Sargans, Flums, Bad Ragaz, Quarten, Oberterzen
Back to the regional travel overview: Sarganserland.
