Quinten lies on the northern shore of Lake Walen, on the lower southern slope of the Churfirsten. The village can be reached on foot or by boat. When planning your visit, it is worth considering the different routes: alongside longer hikes, there is a walk from Au to Quinten. The village’s history and wine-growing culture also offer distinct points of interest during a stay.
Hiking trails to Quinten and around Lake Walen
The Au–Quinten walk is 1.2 kilometres long; the stated walking time is about 20 minutes, with 17 metres of ascent. Another route description mentions a wide lakeside path from Au that leads to the Quinten landing stage in about 15 minutes. For a longer hike, the “Riviera Walensee Weesen–Quinten” route requires a very different time commitment: it is 10.2 kilometres long, takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes, and involves 454 metres of ascent. The descent to Quinten follows a steeper, stony path secured with handrails. Trail conditions can change with the weather.
On the “Riviera Walensee Walenstadt–Quinten” route, after returning from the forest, the trail follows the lake to the car-free hamlet. For the return journey, you can take a boat from Quinten to Murg and then a train to Walenstadt. If you are planning the circuit, check the latest timetables and trail conditions before setting out.
The “Impressive Seerenbach Falls” hike also begins with a boat trip: from Murg across Lake Walen to Quinten. The Seerenbach Falls consist of three cascades with a combined height of almost 600 metres. This excursion therefore differs from routes whose paths explicitly follow the lakeshore: here, the crossing is already part of the described start of the hike.
Village character and architectural history
Quinten is a historic settlement area along the shore and on the lower section of the slope. St. Bernhard Chapel was rebuilt in 1765 and renovated in 1919. The former post office is an imposing half-timbered building by the lake; the round-arched gateway bears the date 1694. The restored goat barns are also part of the architectural heritage: they were renovated in 1991 and 1992 and placed under federal protection.
Another notable building is the Kubli House in Laui. The five-storey Glarus mansion probably dates from the 17th century and has twelve rooms and four cellars. These different architectural styles and dates offer a tangible insight into the village’s history, without limiting your visit to a single building.
Wine-growing and local offerings
Wine-growing in Quinten is spread across several sites, or different plots, and is managed according to the principles of integrated production. The grapes are harvested by boat. This distinctive local practice connects wine-growing with the location on Lake Walen, without requiring a visit to a winery.
Right by the harbour, in the heart of Quinten, the Alte Post wine cellar is located in a historic building dating from 1694. It offers a setting for aperitifs at family celebrations, business events or group outings; check directly to confirm its current opening status. The Kellerlädeli shop offers regional products such as homemade jams, pickled vegetables and ointments. The shop’s selection may change.
More things to do locally
Quinten has a themed trail accessible to strollers. The local options also include natural swimming spots with barbecue areas; individual swimming spots may be affected by the weather. For those looking to combine their stay with activity and scenery, these offer alternatives to the longer hikes. When choosing what to do for the day, you can consider trail lengths, the boat trip and the village’s history as distinct elements of your itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Vättis, Tannenheim, Walenstadt, Quarten, Flumserberg, Vilters-Wangs, Bad Ragaz, Oberterzen
Return to the main travel overview: Sarganserland.
