Amden combines its location above Lake Walen with a wide range of winter sports. The municipality stretches from Lake Walen at 419 m above sea level to the summit of Leistchamm at 2,101 m above sea level, reaching almost to the valley floor of the Toggenburg. Amden is situated on a terrace above the northern shore of Lake Walen. The municipality includes tourist-oriented villages as well as alpine settlements with alpine farming. The landscape, local history and seasonal activities offer a range of ways to explore the area during your stay.
Landscape and local history
The Schwarzberg core habitat area is a deeply rugged landscape of layered ridges, crisscrossed by ravines and landslide zones. This description adds another distinctive landform to the range of elevations between Lake Walen and Leistchamm.
Amden’s history extends beyond its landscape: in the early 20th century, Amden was the setting for a social and artistic experiment. The utopian Grappenhof project began in 1903 and had been abandoned by 1912. This adds a clearly defined historical chapter to the range of themes that shape the area.
Winter sports: slopes and cross-country skiing
The Amden ski area offers 20 km of slopes served by six lifts, at an elevation of 931 to 1,684 m. The facilities include easy and intermediate slopes, a beginner area and a snow park; the two areas are connected by bus. Amden Swiss Ski School offers group ski and snowboard lessons as well as individual private lessons. This provides a choice of winter sports activities without assuming the same skill level or type of activity.
For cross-country skiing, Arvenbüel has the approximately 7 km “Arventritt” trail, which can be used for skating or classic-style skiing. The Chapf loop in the Arventritt cross-country area is the easier route and has no major climbs. When choosing between the cross-country options, you can therefore consider your technique and the route profile: both styles are possible on the trail, while the Chapf loop is described as the easier route. Grooming depends on snow conditions. Ski operations are also seasonal, and some areas may not be available at certain times of the season. Check current snow and operating conditions before planning your visit.
Indoor pool and guided activity
Amden Indoor Pool combines swimming with water sports and wellness. Facilities include a baby pool, a panoramic whirlpool, a Finnish sauna, a steam room and an outdoor area with a water playground for children. The facilities therefore include both swimming and water sports options as well as wellness areas. As operating arrangements and individual facilities may change, it is advisable to check the latest information before visiting.
Another activity takes you to the dam wall, which is over 40 metres high and lies above Lake Walen: there, you can abseil under the expert guidance and safety supervision of an experienced, certified mountain guide. This activity requires arrangements in advance; availability may change.
Getting there and a specific walking route
The AWA bus runs from Amden-ArvenbĂĽel via Weesen to ZiegelbrĂĽcke, with connections to local and long-distance transport towards Zurich, St. Gallen, Glarus and Chur. Check the timetable before travelling to make sure the connections fit your plans.
A specific route to a cultural destination starts at the Lehni bus stop, which has a car park: from there, you can reach Atelier Amden on foot in about 20 minutes via a marked hiking trail. The walking time is an approximate guide; conditions on the trail may vary. The walking route and bus service offer different reference points for planning and do not need to be combined into a single route.
Discover more destinations: Gommiswald, Benken, Eschenbach, Goldingen, Schänis, Hintergoldingen, Ernetschwil, Rapperswil-Jona
For the overview of the wider region: See-Gaster.
