Descent: Gonzen mountain inn - Lanaberg - Sargans

We start the hike at the Palfries mountain station. With the Palfries cable car, we have previously overcome about 1,250 meters of altitude in just 12 minutes. The cable car passes over an impressive waterfall (Ragnatscher Bach) and takes us up to the Palfries plateau.
Upon arrival at the mountain station, we follow the path towards the Gonzen summit, but before the ascent we turn off. After three-quarters of an hour, we reach the Gonzen mountain inn, where we can enjoy a magnificent view into the Rhine Valley in front of us as well as into the near and distant mountain world of Vorarlberg, the Principality of Liechtenstein, and Graubünden. Then follows a steep, but not difficult descent over meadows and pastures to the Lanaberg. It continues then over the natural road (partly paved) to Sargans.

Make a detour to the Gonzen and enjoy the view into the St. Galler and Chur Rhine Valley, the Principality of Liechtenstein, and the Sargans plain.

We start the hike from the Palfries mountain station heading southeast over the Chamm. After that, we leave the paved alpine road and take the path towards Alp Riet (Rieterhütte). The slightly descending hiking trail initially passes through wetlands, partially spanned by "wooden bridges", and then crosses alpine pastures up to the mentioned Rieterhütten. There we hike about 700 meters downhill on the road, where we then turn right onto the mountain path. Soon we reach the Gonzen mountain inn, and then continue over natural roads, meadows, and pastures. At the Lanaberg, the mountain path joins the natural road (Rhine Valley high trail). We follow this southwards. After a march of around 3 km, the road leads into the paved access road to Oberprod. Follow this briefly downhill, then take a shortcut through an alley. Along the way, we cross the aforementioned access road twice. Shortly before or above Sargans Castle, we turn left and then continue more or less straight ahead - leaving the castle on the right - to the center and transportation hub of Sargans. From here, it is another 10 minutes to the train station.