Vättis lies in the Tamina Valley at an elevation of around 940 metres and is considered the southernmost village in the canton of St. Gallen. Its geological sites, historic locations and art trails offer different ways to shape a stay: in the village, the museum and culture take centre stage, while trails into the Calfeisen Valley and to the Walser settlement of St. Martin put the landscape in focus.
Geology and landscapes around Vättis
The Vättner Window is located close to Vättis, at the entrance to the Chrüzbach Gorge, and forms part of the Sardona Tectonic Arena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to the easternmost occurrences of the Aarmassif, the Alpine basement. The Aarmassif is exposed between Gigerwald and Vättis; at the entrance to the Chrüzbach Gorge, visitors can see the oldest rocks in the Sardona Geopark.
The visitor centre in Vättis is housed in the former Alpine School and offers insights into the Sardona Tectonic Arena. It explains the connection between earthquakes and mountain formation and presents past and present earthquake activity in the World Heritage cantons of Graubünden, St. Gallen and Glarus. Live feeds from recordings made by seismic stations operated by the Swiss Seismological Service provide additional information on the subject. Guided tours and excursions can be booked; availability may vary depending on the season.
A moderately difficult hike leads from Vättis via the Gigerwald dam to the Walser settlement of St. Martin. The route is 8.1 kilometres long and passes through forest and open meadows, by waterfalls, and offers opportunities to observe wildlife. The geological focus of the Vättner Window and the landscapes along the hike offer different highlights for an outing. From Vättis, the trail also leads into the remote Calfeisen Valley, a wild valley surrounded by impressive rock faces and beautiful scenery.
Museum, art trails and the art of printing
The Drachenloch Museum is housed in Vättis’s old school and town hall. Its collection includes minerals, Roman coins from the 3rd century AD, original wooden sculptures from the Walser chapel of St. Martin, and tools used in the traditional cooperage trade. The museum also displays bones of Stone Age cave bears and documents the excavations; the Drachenloch cave lies above Vättis. Guided tours can be booked on request and last around 80 minutes. Check availability before your visit.
The Hans Brühlmann circular trail starts at the Kulturbrücke in the centre and leads around Vättis. At seven viewpoints, drawings by Hans Brühlmann from 1910 and 1911 are compared with double-exposure photographs by Korinna Fröhlich from 2021. The sculpture trail offers a different focus: it features artworks by the association in and around Vättis, which can be reached on foot from the village centre.
Beautiful books and prints are produced using traditional techniques at the historic Offizin Parnassia printing works. If you plan to visit, check visiting arrangements in advance. The Sagawäg for younger visitors is a walking trail through the Kunkel Valley. At its five stops, children will find storybooks to be read aloud, play opportunities and a competition.
Seasons and special events
In the Calfeisen Valley, west of Vättis, stands the Walser chapel of St. Martin. According to dendrochronological analysis, it was built around 1312. It is open to visitors from mid-May to mid-October; check locally for seasonal access. The Jakobi festival takes place on the last weekend of July in Vättis and St. Martin. Check the annual calendar before planning your trip around it.
In mid-September, brightly decorated cows with large bells and their herders are expected on Vättis village square as they return from the Ladils Alp. Here too, it is advisable to check the date for the relevant year in advance. In winter, a winter hiking trail runs from Vättis to Kunkel Pass; cross-country ski trails are groomed for both classic and skating styles. Whether winter activities are available depends on conditions.
Getting there and planning excursions
Public transport connections are available via Bad Ragaz railway station, followed by a PostBus to Vättis. Check the timetable for your travel date. From Bad Ragaz, the mountain road leads towards Pfäfers and Valens to Vättis; you can drive there via Pfäfers or via the Tamina Bridge and Valens.
For a side trip to Vättnerberg, the cable car reaches the Maiensäss in eight minutes. It is located at an elevation of 1,600 metres on a sunny, car-free terrace. Confirm that the service is operating before travelling. Depending on your interests, you can plan your stay around a visit to a museum or visitor centre, an art trail, a winter activity or a hike through the landscape.
Discover more destinations: Tannenheim, Sargans, Mels, Vilters-Wangs, Walenstadt, Flumserberg, Flums, Quarten.
Back to the main travel overview: Sarganserland.
