Palfries – Stelli • Circular hike through alpine pastures

A tiny cable car carries you up the cliffs and past a big waterfall to reach high alpine pastures. This trail loops around underneath some big mountain peaks, with views across the valley to many more peaks in the distance. The first part is on a service road, possible with strollers.

The second part is on a lumpy footpath through the meadows. It’s a relatively easy path and not dangerous, good for all ages and beginners.

Note: Since the cable car is very small, it’s highly recommended to reserve cable car tickets online a day or two in advance.

Gallery

Trail map

This trail starts at the top of the Palfries cable car. For the first half of the trail, it follows a wide gravel road to the Stalrüfi mountain restaurant. You can use a stroller on this section, then walk back the way you came.

After the Stalrüfi mountain restaurant, you turn onto a grassy footpath that leads into the mountains. The path was very uneven and rocky at times, helpful to have hiking sticks. No dangerous areas, suitable for all ages. 

View interactive map, print map, download GPX on Komoot • SchweizMobil • OutdoorActive

Longer hike option

Last time we went, we did a much longer loop and really enjoyed spending more time with the views. 13k • 4h • 570m up/down See trail map.

More ideas

• Gonzen peak – From the cable car, you can walk out peak overlooking the valley far below (about 3.5 k one way, 400 m climb). See various routes that include this peak. 
• The Palfries cable car operators recommended the Sennis Rundtour, where you hike one way to the Sennis hut (past the Stalrüfi hut, about 2h45 walking time) and take the hotel bus back down the mountain. You have to sign up for the bus when you get your cable car tickets. More info.

How to get there

This trail is the Heidiland region of eastern Switzerland, near the Liechtenstein border (see on Google Maps). The trail starts at the top of the Palfries cable car, which easily accessible by car or bus.

By car:

Drive to Ludiweg 11, 8888 Mels (47°04’17.6″N 9°23’35.2″E). Park in the lot next to the cable car. Get a parking ticket at the automat and place it on your dashboard. CHF 5/day, coins only.

Note: you can drive up the mountain to the top of the cable car and park near the Berggasthaus Palfries (CHF 10/day, see on map). However, it’s 14k o a one lane mountain road. I wouldn’t recommend it.

By public transport:

Take a train to Sargans, then bus 441 (direction Flumesrberg) to Heiligkreuz, Ragnatsch. The cable car station is a couple minutes walk from the bus stop, along the main road. Check bus schedule.

Planning your day

Ticket prices

In 2024, the cable car return ticket costs CHF 20/adult, CHF 10/child, CHF 5/dog. 

Since the cable car only holds 8 people, it’s best to make a reservation to avoid waiting times. When reserving tickets online, you can reserve the Bergfahrt (up ticket) and Talfahrt (down ticket) together. Reserve tickets here.

Give yourself a little buffer time to get back to the cable car. If you arrive early, you can usually ride down earlier if there are enough spots. 

Opening hours

The cable car is open for summer season from end of May through beginning of November. It runs every 15 mins from 08.00 – 11.45 und  13.00 – 17.15 (until 18:45 in mid July to mid Sept. Check current operating hours.

Photo story of trail

Riding up the cable car

Here is the Palfries cable car station. Pay for your reserved tickets with cash or card at the ticket booth.

The cable car fits 8 people. They may ask you to put your backpack in the luggage bin on the outside of the car.

On the way up, you’ll pass by these fantastic waterfalls. We were there shortly after a big rainstorm, so the falls were very large. But after a long dry spell or end of summer, there is very little water flowing here.

View down to the valley from the top of the cable car.

Starting the trail

Walk below the cable car station to the paved road and turn right, following signs to Stralrüfi.

Your view of alpine meadows as you walk along the road.

The road leads to Berggasthaus Palfries. Maybe eat here after your hike.

Just after the restaurant, you’ll pass a parking lot and see these trail signs. Keep following signs to Stralrüfi. When you loop back, you’ll come down the footpath that joins here.

Now the road turns to gravel, but still easy walking.

Looking back to one of the peaks you can climb to on another day.

The road goes up hill a bit to the Stralrüfi cafe you can see in the distance.

Up the ridge

From the Stralrüfi cafe, turn right towards Alvier. 

You follow a faint grassy path uphill as shown here.

The path leads along a mild ridge. There is a short section where the hill drops steeply to the left. Just stay away from the edge.

From this ridge, you get a great view to many more peaks in the distance. If you do the longer option, you’ll loop around the entire area.

Fork right – back to cable car

At the end of the ridge, you’ll reach this sign where you turn right to loop back to Palfries.

Now the narrow footpath meanders through boulders.

An interesting part of the trail.

Lots of cows up here.

You traverse the mountain, still pretty easy walking if a bit lumpy.

Above you are these big mountains. We got lucky that the clouds cleared so we could see them.

This pic is from a different visit with friends where we hiked the loop in the opposite direction.

A few little streams meandering through the meadows.

Eventually you’ll reach the parking lot and Berghaus Palfries. Follow the paved road back to the cable car station.

FAQ

What to wear & bring

You should wear hiking shoes with good tread. I found hiking sticks helpful on the second half of the trail that was very lumpy. 

This is a mountain hike, so weather and temperatures can change quickly. Dress appropriate to the weather forecast, bringing layers like a fleece and windbreaker/rain jacket as needed. On hot days, I think shorts would be ok as there wasn’t a lot of tall grass or forested sections.

Make sure to bring sunscreen, sun hat, and sunglasses. I suggest 1 L of water per person or buy drinks at the mountain restaurants.

Where to eat

After the hike, you could eat at Berghaus Palfries, which is just a few minutes walk from the cable car station.