Palfries trail run route: Gonzenleiter

The T4 route to the Palfries mountain station is a challenging trail run that requires technical ability, surefootedness and stamina. Rocky passages, steep climbs and dense forests await us on varied paths. The spectacular Gonzenleiter in particular, with its steep ladders, requires a head for heights and concentration, but rewards you with unforgettable views of the Rhine Valley, the Principality of Liechtenstein and the Grisons mountains.

The route leads through an impressive natural landscape characterized by alpine flora and idyllic meadows. Again and again, panoramic views open up that quickly make you forget the effort. After the challenging ascent, the Gonzen mountain inn invites you to take a well-earned rest before the tour leads over gentle meadows and easily accessible paths to the Palfries mountain station.

Once at the top, we are rewarded with a magnificent view and can end the tour relaxing in the mountain inn before the cable car takes us comfortably back down to the valley.

This trail running route is ideal for cross-country adventurers and ambitious trail runners who want to put their technique, strength and endurance to the test in alpine terrain. The demanding T4 route challenges our fitness and pushes us to our limits, while the cable car allows us a relaxed return journey to the valley station.

The starting point at the valley station of the Palfries cable car first leads us through the shady Ragnatsch forest in the direction of Heiligkreuz. At the crossroads where Kürschnengasse, Tscherfingergasse and Erzweg meet, we follow the well-marked Erzweg, which leads us on towards Sargans to the Erzbild. This first section offers varied and well-marked hiking trails. Once we reach the Erzbild, we have already climbed the first few meters and can take a short break.

From the Erzbild, a narrow path continues until we reach the blue and white marked path to the Gonzenleiter. The trail begins as a forest road and leads past the Cholplatz, where the crossing to the Gonzenleiter begins. This section is well marked throughout and offers impressive views down to Sargans. The last few meters to the ladder are secured with wire ropes before the most spectacular section of the tour follows: We climb up two steep ladders - a passage that requires surefootedness and a head for heights. We are rewarded with a breathtaking view before heading up through the steep forest to Älpli.

From Älpli, we continue our walk across gentle meadows until we reach the Gonzen mountain inn. Here we have a magnificent view of the Rhine Valley, the Principality of Liechtenstein and the surrounding Graubünden mountains.

Well rested, we continue our walk and pass the Rieterhütten and Alp Riet. From here we continue along the alpine road to Chamm. Finally, we reach the Palfries mountain station, where the relaxed finale of the tour begins. We admire the impressive views on the Palfries plateau before the cable car takes us safely back to the valley station - an ideal way to end the altitude difference without the strenuous descent.