On the Rheintal-Höhenweg (Rhine Valley High Trail) to Sargans Castle

Wednesday March 3, 2021 -- They say: "Third Time's a Charm", but not for us! 

We thought this Wednesday was a good time to try the section of the "Rhein Valley High Trail" (Rheintal Höhenweg) from Oberschan to Sargans near the Liechtenstein border, having headed out twice already in that direction last year and then not going through with the plan (one time fog, the other time a better option for the weather).

At Sargans in Eastern Switzerland, the Rhine River heads along the Swiss/Liechtenstein border northwards toward Lake Constance, and the wide open valley here receives lots of sunshine and the snow melts quickly. So hiking up at an altitude of 1000m should have been no problem, which it wasn't, even though there was more snow than we expected.

The problem was with the weather forecast. On Tuesday evening we were promised loads of sunshine till early afternoon. In the morning as we prepared to leave, the forecast had changed to cloudy in the morning, sunny in the afternoon. So we headed out anyway. But WE HAD NO SUNSHINE at all, and there was a cold wind blowing! Which was such a shame, as this trail affords some pretty spectacular views into the Rhine Valley. My dark photos don't do it justice.

But there were a few highlights: 

1) No other people on the trail 
2) Lots of baby cows to "ooh" and "aah" over 
3) We bought locally made sausage at the farm with the cows
4) We saw four large deer, albeit only a glance as they were gone quickly  
5) The forest floors are now blanketed with the cutest snowbell flowers, and even some bear garlic at lower elevations.... a sure sign of Spring!
6) We visited the courtyard of the Sargans Castle (museum doesn't open till April), a prominent landmark which I photograph every time we pass through here

And of course the uphill sections are further training for when we can really go high up into the mountains....

Our hike started in the town of Oberschan, not far from the Swiss/Liechtenstein border. We are heading up the hill past the old mill

A look back at the town of Oberschan where we started our hike

There were several sections on nice forest trails with wooden bridges such as this one.

We were so excited to see these snowbells, some of the first forest flowers here.

Following a section of the Rheintal High Trail, which runs from Lake Constance (into which the Rhine River flows before heading West then North) to Sargans here on the southern end of the trail

Looking down at the village of Oberschan, and the mountains in Liechtenstein just across the border.

At the farm called "Aufstieg" (also a restaurant, but closed because of COVID), we purchased some sausages in their little home shop. 

Spent some time "oohing and aahing" at the fairly new-born calves at the farm here.

A whole "kindergarten" full of calves!

Heading up the hill, the meadows were full of snowbells, as far as the eye could see.

At about the highest point of our hike, we found a convenient little bench for our picnic lunch.

Here at an altitude of about 1000m (not actually that high), we were surprised at how much snow there still is. I am standing on top of the stream on hard-packed avalanche snow, which carried away this wooden bridge.

More snow than expected, but no issues with the trail

More fun bridges to cross

Here in this couloir was more avalanche snow. We are glad it hadn't carried away this particular bridge, because this section would have been harder to cross!

An old barn along the way

A view down to the Rhine River and to Balzers in Liechtenstein

We are actually walking on the East side of the end of the Churfirsten Range

Nice waterfalls along the way, and a good look at how the layers of Earth have shifted.

Another 90 minutes to go to get to the train station in Sargans! By this time (1 p.m.) we had already been "on the trail" for three hours, which includes lunch. Still no sign of the sun.

This fantastic view South along the Rhine Valley in the direction of Chur would be so much nicer if the sun were shining! On the other side of the Rhine River below is the town of Balzers, which is actually in Liechtenstein. 

Looking down at the city of Sargans before our final descent.

When the bear garlic carpets the forest floors, it's a sure sign of Spring! And it smells so good!

Our trail takes us through the grounds of the Sargans Castle. The Museum in the 900-year-old tower is apparently one of the most recommended to visit, but it opens only in April 

From the castle walls, a look down into the old part of the city. We didn't go down that way.

We were excited to see these "spring meadow saffron" flowers here, some of the first flowers that come out after the snow melts, flowers which we usually travel to Canton Valais to see in the spring.

The Chapel of St. Sebastian just below the castle, built in 1502 (tower added in 1718) is named after the patron saint of plagues, probably because this area was hard hit by the black plague pandemic. 

Our 11-km hike started in Oberschan, and ended at the Sargans train station after passing through the Castle Grounds. The Rhine River forms the border of Switzerland and Liechtenstein here.

Our trail as viewed on Google Earth Maps

The location of this trail is in the very eastern part of Switzerland, near Liechtenstein

This is what the Sargans Castle looks like from the "front" side, on a summer day!