From the top of a tiny cable car, this trail climbs steeply to a tall mountain peak with panorama views over the Rhine river valley. It’s definitely a “locals only” place, with the quiet charms of a typical Swiss alp with no fanfare.
You’ll need to reserve in advance as the cable car only carries 8 people every 15 mins. While the trail is usually quiet, the restaurant is a popular spot for lunch with a view. So the cable car can be very busy on sunny weekends.
We enjoyed this trail so much, we did it twice last fall. If you visit in late October, you may be able to catch the golden larches on the backside of the peak.
Keep reading for all the info you need to do this hike.
Quick info
| Region | Rhine valley in southeast Switzerland |
| Address: | Älplibahn cable car – Buchwaldweg 7, 7208 Malans |
| By car: | Parking next to cable car From Zurich 1h15 |
| By public transport: | Bus stop: Malans GR, Älplibahn From Zürich 1h20 |
| Trail: | about 4h • ⬇️trail map |
| Distance: | 12.1 km loop |
| Difficulty: | moderate • 780m up & down |
| Condition: | dirt footpath, uneven terrain |
| Highest point: | 2327 m |
| Open: | trail usually late June to mid October |
| Cost 2025: | Cable car return ticket – Adult CHF 20, Child 6-15 CHF 15, Dog CHF 9 |
| Discounts: | No discounts |
| Services: | restaurant at top of cable car, no other services |
| More info: | • weather |
Gallery
Trail Overview
You reach this trail with the Älplibahn cable car in Malans. At the top of the cable car, you’ll find a restaurant with a nice view and toilets.
The hike starts pretty easy, wrapping around to the backside of the peak. Then a steep climb to the peak on rocky switchbacks.
There is a white-blue alpine trail that hikes more directly to the peak on the ridge. But this is an exposed trail, suitable for experienced hikers comfortable with heights and risk.
After the peak, you descend to alpine meadows. Then loop back to your starting point.
Hiking Map
The trail map below shows the hike starting from the top of the Älplibahn cable car.
See trail map on Komoot • SwitzerlandMobility • SwissTopo (mobile app) • OutdoorActive
How to get there
This hike is accessed by the Älplibahn cable car in Malans, southeast of Zürich.
By car
Drive to the cable car at Buchwaldweg 7, 7208 Malans. There is a large parking lot next to the cable car. You must register your car by writing your license plate down on a piece of paper at the cable car ticket office.
By public transport
The Malans GR, Älplibahn bus stop is steps away from the cable car station.
If you are traveling from Zürich, the fastest connection is via a train to Landquart. Then switch to the bus. Travel time about 1h20.
Planning your day
Cable Car Tickets
You must reserve the cable car in advance, as it only carries 8 people at a time, every 15 mins. In our experience, best to reserve a week in advance or it can be difficult to get the spot you want.
Call 081 322 47 64 to reserve. German only.
In 2025, a return ticket costs CHF 20/adult, CHF 15/kids age 6-15, CHF 9/dog. Children under 6 ride free.
You can pay with card, cash, or Twint. No discounts with Swiss travel cards.
Opening times
The cable car usually runs from the third weekend of May through the third weekend of November.
It runs Mon-Fri 8:00 – 17:00 and Sat-Sun 7:00-18:00.
Photo Story
The pictures below are from two hikes done 30 Sept 2024 and 9 Nov 2024.
1. Riding up the cable car
Here are the Älplibahn cable cars. Four people can sit in each one.
View from the cable car as we rode to the top.
Cable car station at the top. The restaurant and WC are right next to the station.
2. Starting the hike
From the cable car, follow signs to Vilan, which is the name of the peak. The trail starts on the easy path in the forest shown below.
The red/white trail is a regular mountain trail. The blue/white trail to Vilan is exposed and steeper, only for experienced hikers comfortable with risk. The first blue/white trail forks right off the main trail after just 5 mins.
The start of the trail is pretty easy, on a service road.
Looking down into the pretty moor below.
3. Hiking up the peak
After about 25 mins, you fork off the service road, onto a footpath heading up the mountain towards the Vilan peak.
After another 15 mins, you’ll reach this trail sign where the trail splits. We suggest the safe red/white trail labeled “weniger steil”, meaning less steep. The blue/white trail hikes up to a ridge and follows that up to the peak, so steeper and more exposed. Make sure to follow the correct trail markings based on your preference (red/white or blue/white).
Starting the climb. The first time I went, there was snow on the peak, although Swiss Topo said there wouldn’t be snow. Against my better judgment, we climbed it anyway. But I would definitely not recommend it with snow or ice.
Here’s the trail the second time we hiked it in early November. No snow this time.
The trail up the peak is a typical mountain trail, steep rocky switchbacks, but not exposed or particularly dangerous.
Looking down the trail at my family coming up the switchbacks. It was chilly in the shade.
After about 30 mins you reach the ridge and get this spectacular view.
4. Enjoying the view
Here’s the amazing view from the Vilan peak. You earned it!
View down to the Rhine valley.
View northwards towards Sargans.
There’s a bench and plenty of room to safely sit on the meadows at the top. There were also paragliders up here.
There’s a Gipfelbuch to sign. Now follow signs direction Seewis to descend the mountain.
5. Descend the mountain
The views on the descent are a million times better than on the way up.
It was pretty in fall, but I definitely need to come back and summer to see these fields in summer green.
The blueberry bushes were super red at the end of September.
The descent is rather steep, losing all the elevation in about 40 mins.
Keep on the main trail leading toward Sadreinegg.
Dipping into the forest for a bit.
6. Loop back through the forest
At Sadreinegg, follow signs toward Älplibahn Bergstation, not Malans.
The trail briefly joins a service road for a bit as you traverse the alps.
In summer, there are sure to be cows all around these alps.
Lovely golden colors at the end of September.
Now the trail goes back up and down for a bit, which can feel discouraging. It lasts about 45 mins.
Looking back up at the Vilan peak high above us.
So many beautiful colors on the backside of the mountain.
Even though there was no snow on the trail, there was lots of frost in the shade and frozen puddles. This made for lots of slippery spots. Two of us fell down pretty hard on ice patches.
The path turns into a wider service road at some point. Then its easy walking back to the cable car.
There are other trails that lead through this landscape to some lakes. We’ll have to try that next time.
7. Restaurant
We had some snacks back at the restaurant while we waited for our reserved timeslot. The restaurant can be very busy, so don’t expect fast service.
Hope you enjoy this hike!
