From Gigerwald across Heubützlipass and on the east ridge, descent to Sardonahütte SAC | Mountain hiking

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Fahnenstock
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- From Gigerwald across Heubützlipass and on the east ridge, descent to Sardonahütte SAC
From Gigerwald across Heubützlipass and on the east ridge, descent to Sardonahütte SAC

From Gigerwald across Heubützlipass and on the east ridge, descent to Sardonahütte SAC (Normal route) Fahnenstock 2610 m

Difficulty

T4
Ascent

4:30–5 h, 1470 m
Descent

1:45–2:15 h, 650 m

A world heritage site sends its regards

This alpine hike is a summit tour and at the same time a (long) access variant to Sardonahütte. Speaking of Sardona: this tour takes place in the Tectonic Arena Sardona, which in July 2008 was named a site of UNESCO World Heritage. In this hardly known region on territory of the cantons of St. Gall, Glarus and The Grisons the traces of the formation of mountains can be seen especially well. Ascending to Fahnenstock, one notices especially the results of erosion. Dry meadows and alluvial plains alternate with talus and cwms with tiny lakes. Not before reaching the summit you get a view to Sardona where you can observe a dead straight line in the rock running over several kilometres. Along this line old rock was thrust on top of young rock by unimaginable forces.

Gigerwaldsee on the ascent from Calfeisental © David Coulin

Heubützlisee; above is the Ringelspitz range. © David Coulin

The bifurcation to Heubützlipass © Fabian Lippuner

Fahnenstock, Gipfelsteinmann. © David Coulin

Well-marked: on the way to Sardonahütte SAC © Fabian Lippuner

The finish line is in sight: Sardonahütte owned by the SAC Zindelspitz section. © Fabian Lippuner

Route description

Gigerwald - Obersäss – Heubützlipass

From St. Martin follow the alp access road for 5 km into Calfeisental. At Stübliwald take the marked hiking trail to Gamserälpli Untersäss and on to Obersäss (P. 2081). Continue northward on the hiking trail to reach Route 73 of SchweizMobil (Sardona-Welterbe-Weg; Sardona World Heritage Trail). Cross the trail to reach Heubützlipass within 10 min.

Heubützlipass - Fahnenstock and back

On grassy schrofen and game trails ascend the north face of Fahnenstock to reach the (south-)east ridge. Follow the ridge northward to the summit. Descend to Heubützlipass on the ascent route.

Heubützlipass – Sardonahütte

The descent from Heubützlipass to Sardonahütte is on the World Heritage Trail: below the col turn right (south-west) to follow the panorama trail with gentle re-ascents and some creek crossings (precarious in case of heavy snowmelt or rain) to reach Sardonahütte.

Variant: to Gigerwald via Malanseralp

Below the col turn left (east) to follow the World Heritage Trail with gentle re-ascents until below Heidelpass. From there on a marked mountain hiking trail descend to Altsäss of Malanseralp; from Obere Böden you hike on the narrow road back to St. Martin / Gigerwald.

Additional information

Departure point

Gigerwald, Staudamm (1336 m)

Get there Google Maps

Gigerwald, Staudamm

End point

Sardonahütte SAC (2158 m)

Time: Gigerwald - Untersäss - Obersäss (P. 1901) - Heubützlipass: 4–4 ½ h

Heubützlipass - summit - Heubützlipass: ca. 45 min.

Heubützlipass - Sardonahütte: 1½ h

Variant: Heubützlipass - Plattensee - Malanseralp - Gigerwald: 2½ h

Gigerwald - St. Martin: ca. 45 min. Caution, car traffic!

Difficulty / Material: The difficulties are mainly on the summit ascent from Heubützlipass. As travelling to this remote area is long for most of the hikers, it is recommended to make this a two-day tour by staying overnight at Sardonahütte (or at St. Martin).

Waypoints

St. Martin (SG) (1340 m)

Starting point, accessible by car or Alpentaxi: the road Gigerwald - St. Martin is open for private cars (one-way-traffic, alternating every half hour). www.sanktmartin.online/anreise On foot ca. 45 min.