Kunkelspass in the Sardona World Heritage

The Kunkelspass (1,357 m above sea level) connects Vättis with Tamins. The lovely high plateau presents itself like an arena, surrounded by the mountain ranges of Calanda (2,805 m), Crap Mats (2,947 m), and Ringelspitz (3,247 m) located in the Tektonikarena Sardona, which is the highest mountain in St. Gallen.

From Vättis (943 m above sea level) an easy hike leads to the Kunkelspass. Following the bubbling Görbsbach, the path gently ascends through meadows and forest sections up to Unter Kunkels (1,073 m above sea level). A feast for the eyes, especially in early summer when the alpine flora comes to life! Above the left valley side tower the Haldensteiner and Felsberger Calanda with their rugged limestone formations. When the path now becomes a bit steeper, you approach the mountain restaurant Eggwald in Ober Kunkels (1,148 m above sea level). Leisure hikers often let the “autopilot” take over at this pretty inn and head straight to the garden restaurant. But it’s not far to the Kunkelspass summit (1,357 m above sea level) either.

Kunkelspass as a destination or intermediate goal

At the mountain inn Überuf, you can enjoy a pleasant stay on the garden terrace or in the wood stove-heated guest room. Nearby is a seminar room with information about the UNESCO World Heritage Tektonikarena Sardona. They are proud to offer the eastern entrance to this geological wonderland with Kunkels. A telescope provides the opportunity to view the Ringelspitz and the Glarus main thrust fault or the collapse niche of the Tamins mountain slide up close. Sometimes at the sea floor, then again under 800 meters of glacier ice – earth history offers plenty of variety even for Kunkels.

The shortest path to the valley leads over a road built during World War I down to Tamins (660 m above sea level). The view from the tunnel blasted out of the rock is spectacular. Those who want to continue upwards can climb via Grossalp to the SAC Ringelspitz hut (1,998 m above sea level). You can enjoy the hospitable hut as a scenic eastern balcony of the Tektonikarena Sardona.