On the "Jubilee Trail" from Sargans to Flums in the Seez Valley

Sunday November 7, 2021 -- After Saturday's "strenuous" hike in the Calanca Valley (photos here), we were going to do something "easy": A hike in eastern Switzerland in the Seez River Valley near the valley bottom, mostly through the autumn-painted forests along wide forestry roads and certainly without snow. It was one of two options for this day, and having gotten my map information mixed up, this hike, with its many uphill and downhill sections, ended up with almost as much total ascent as the mountain hike we did the day before! Furthermore, the long straight forestry road sections were too monotonous for me, and this hike made me much more tired.

When we were in this area in March this year, we learned about a ca. 13km-long themed trail between Sargans and Flums called the "Jubilee Trail" (Jubiläumsweg), created in 2015 to commemorate 1250 years (!!!) of settlement of the Sargans/Mels/Flums region of the Seez Valley. All along the trail are information placards describing the families, industries, and religion that shaped this region. It turned out to be over four hours of hiking once again, and even though we mostly had sunshine, there was a cold wind blowing, which is always tough for me (too warm in the wind-protected areas, too cold in the open, jacket on / jacket off!). The best part of the hike was at the very end when we got a full view of the always magnificent Churfirsten mountain range, with the St.Georgen's Chapel (ca. 11th Century) prominently perched above a vertical cliff as a foreground for this picturesque scene.

(Photos of our hike to the St.Georgen's Chapel can be viewed HERE)

Always a nice view of the Churfirsten mountains as we make our way along Lake Walensee toward Sargans in the Seez Valley

From the train station in Sargans, we walked toward the old town, which is located below the beautiful castle

Sargans Castle is the dominant landmark in this valley. The tower is the oldest part of the castle and dates from the 11th century. Residence buildings were added in 1240, but these collapsed in an earthquake in 1459, and were rebuilt in 1509.

Protestant church in Sargans, built 1708 (this is the date carved into the lintel over the main door). We did not go in because, being Sunday, there was a service in progress. 

Almost all the buildings (121) in the original old town of Sargans burned to the ground in a fire of 1811, so these "rebuilt" buildings are fairly "young". 

Going up to the castle to get a view before heading out on our hike toward Flums

A painted family crest inside the castle, date on the painting is 1581

View over the old town of Sargans (NW, in the direction we are headed). This area was settled already over 1200 years ago

View down the Seez Valley to the South over the newer and main part of the city of Sargans. The mountains on the left are called the Rätikon, and form the border with Liechtenstein

Heading out to walk the "Jubiläumsweg", created in 2015 to mark the 1250-year Jubilee of the settlement of this area

The Jubilee Trail from Sargans to Flums is about 13 km long. There was a lot of up and down along this trail, so in total we "ascended" over 500m, almost like one of our mountain hikes!

There were a lot of wide forest roads which I find hard to walk uphill on, but one good thing about this hike is that we were able to enjoy possibly the last of the nice autumn colours

Along the way there were many such placards which informed us about the history of the region

A popular trail. We met quite a few people along the way

A nice view of the farmlands of the Seez Valley, and the Churfirsten mountains in the background.

Small uphill sections like this are strangely most difficult for me!

The sections on small trails and over bridges are our favourites

Several bridges through the forest

A pleasant walk through the autumn forest

The trail alternated between forest sections and along pastures

Attractive open pastureland, backed by the Pizol Massif (I think). Side note: We have not yet been on the Pizol massif because there is a popular 5-lake trail there that everyone wants to walk. Too many people for us!

The final section of the Jubilee trail was the most interesting

Coming down the final stretch of the Jubilee Trail. From here one we had the most magnificent backdrop of the Churfirsten moutains. 

A large open pasture area with sheep, horses and donkeys. This was a nice section of the trail. 

Obviously it's not only the goats that like to follow Urs!

Down in the flat valley bottom, a look South at the wonderful snow-capped peaks in the afternoon sunshine!

And ahead of us, the stunning peaks of the Churfirsten mountains. In August we did a two-day hike along the section where the white band is (Pictures are HERE)

Final section walking toward Flums (on the left outside the photo) with the Churfirsten mountains in the background. 

Lots of opportunity to marvel at the St.Georgens' Chapel on its hill. We were up there in June of this year, photos are HERE.

Another different view-point of St.Georgenberg

Crossing the Seez Canal to the train station in Flums

We still had about 20 minutes to wait for the train, so I walked along the canal some more until I got a good look at the ruins of the Gräppling Fortress, which belong to the city of Flums

The Gräppling Fortress was built about 800 years ago for the knights who were in charge of overseeing this region. It is possible to visit these ruins, but we didn't have time for that. Another day!

This is the view of St.Georgen which we usually see when we pass here by train!

On this day we walked about 13 kilometers between Sargans and Flums. This year 2021 we did four hikes in this area, five if you count the 2-day hike from the Palfris Plateau to Walenstadtberg!

The view of the mountains was also magnificent on the way home (along Lake Zurich....)

On the way home we changed trains in Thalwil. The air was so clear and the mountains looked so close! Many people were taking photos of this magnificent view...

The magnificent Glarner Alps as seen from the pedestrian bridge at the Thalwil train station. 

A final look at the mountains beyond Lake Zürich before we head into the tunnel in Horgen on the final stretch home. I'm not 100% sure, but those might be the Churfirsten mountains from their back side...