Wangs is one of the two villages in the municipality of Vilters-Wangs in the canton of St. Gallen and is located in the Sarganserland electoral district. Vilters-Wangs is considered a municipality with a largely intact townscape and rich natural surroundings on the Pizol. For planning your trip, you can distinguish between the main highlights: historical traces in Wangs, trails and lakes on the Pizol, and seasonal winter activities.

Wangs and its history

Wangs was first mentioned in writing in a deed issued by Emperor Lothair I on 17 October 841 AD. A deed issued by Emperor Otto II in 980 AD records the donation of the place “Berau,” with the chapel in Uuanga, today’s Wangs, to Einsiedeln Abbey. The two deeds mark different stages in the early written record of the place.

The area’s historical religious character included the long-standing influence of Pfäfers Abbey and pastoral care provided by the parish of Mels. In the late Middle Ages, Vilters and Wangs were involved in border disputes over the Valeis ravine. The damaged Church of St. Medardus was rebuilt by Pfäfers Abbey in 1785. Those interested in this local history will also find a link to Wangs Church on the Pfarrer Künzle Trail: the six-kilometre themed circular route starts at Rathausplatz and passes the church. More than 37 herb illustrations and 16 biographical panels give the trail its botanical and biographical themes.

Riddles, a water play area and birdhouses on the Pizol

The MounTeens Detective Trail tells its story at ten stations. At stations two to nine, participants collect letters to solve a puzzle; these are checked at the tenth station. Another MounTeens experience starts in Wangs: five gondolas decorated in the MounTeens style travel up the Pizol. Original voices from the audio drama, suitable music and interactive riddles are part of the ride.

At Furt on the Pizol, the Wasserwald (Water Forest) is located in a forest clearing with a stream and waterfall. The water play area features water channels, water sprays, marble runs and fire pits for grilling. The gondola from Wangs to the Furt mountain station leads to the Wasserwald; it is another five-minute walk from the mountain restaurant. Since access may depend on seasonal lift operations, check the connection before your visit.

Right next to it is the Vogeldörfli (Bird Village), an open-air museum with homemade birdhouses. Children can build and display their own birdhouse there. Together, the Wasserwald and Vogeldörfli offer two different activities: water play in a natural setting and the chance to design your own birdhouse.

Lakes, raised bog and panoramic trails

The 2-Lake Hike leads from Pardiel through a raised bog landscape, past Viltersersee to Wangsersee. Wangsersee is a green-blue lake on the Pizol high plateau. This route focuses on both the bog landscape and two lakes, with Wangsersee as the endpoint of the described hike.

The Pizol Panorama High Trail runs between Laufböden and the Pizolhütte. It offers a walkable panorama of the peaks; at the Tagweidlichopf viewpoint, there is a photo stele for the Grand Tour of Switzerland. The trail is dedicated to the Sardona Tectonic Arena UNESCO World Heritage Site. Information panels explain how the Alps formed in the region, adding a geological focus to the landscape experience.

The Pfarrer Künzle Trail in Wangs has a different theme: its herb illustrations and biographical panels accompany the six-kilometre circular route. In contrast, the 2-Lake Hike focuses on the raised bog and lakes, while the panorama trail combines views with information about the formation of the Alps. These differences can help you plan your day around your preferred theme, without combining the trails into a single circular route.

Winter activities and sledging trails

In winter, night sledging is available on a floodlit run on the Pizol, optionally with a fondue meal. The Pizol sledging trail starts at the Furt mountain station, passes through Mattwald and ends at the Maienberg mid-station in the winter sports area above Wangs.

The Riderpark is also on the Pizol, between Gaffia and Furt. It is open to fre skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels and includes beginner, intermediate and advanced areas with butter boxes, tubes and jumps. The layout and availability can vary by season; the obstacle setup may also change during the winter. Check the latest information if you are planning a visit to the park.

Culinary hike from Wangs

The easy Garmil culinary hike on the Pizol is 6.6 kilometres long, with a walking time of about 2.5 hours. It starts at the valley station in Wangs and includes a backpack filled with regional delicacies. The picnic backpack for two includes Salsiz from Kalberer butcher’s shop and sliced dark rye bread from Hermann bakery, both in Wangs. Seasonal availability, booking details and contents may change, so check the offer before making plans.

Discover more destinations: Oberterzen, Tannenheim, Flums, Walenstadt, Quinten, Sargans, Mels, Quarten.

Return to the main travel overview: Sarganserland.