Mountain Running in the Canton of St. Gallen

With the Säntis rising to 2,502 m, mountain running in the canton of St. Gallen has a flagship summit visible from all over northeastern Switzerland. Around it, the Alpstein massif unfolds its limestone ridges, while the Hoher Kasten overlooks the Rhine valley and Liechtenstein 🏔️. To the south, the Gonzen watches over Sargans and the Churfirsten stretch their ridgeline above Lake Walensee.

The slopes are short but steep, often on alpine pasture trails where the cows have right of way 🐄. The cable cars of the Säntis, Flumserberg or Pizol make scouting easier, and the descent on foot is part of the game. From June to September, the summits clear, but fog can blanket the Alpstein within minutes: a jacket in your pocket is no luxury.

On Finishers, the region's mountain running calendar draws on its neighbors. The LGT Alpin Marathon climbs from the Rhine plain up to Malbun on June 12, 2027, with a marathon and a 21 km format. Further away in Graubünden, the Engadin Ultra Trail brings mountain lovers together around Samedan on July 16, 2027. Mountain running in Graubünden and ultra-trails in the canton of St. Gallen round out the options 🎯.

The summit of the Säntis is home to a weather station whose records date back to the late 19th century, and its gusts have earned it a solid reputation 🌬️. In neighboring Toggenburg, Simon Ammann learned to tame the void before winning four Olympic titles in ski jumping. Down below, in St. Gallen, the grilled sausage is eaten without mustard, a local rule to respect after the race. Whether you are a fan of the vertical kilometer or of long, steady climbs, you will find an ascent to suit you here 🔥.