Mountain hikes in Grabs

Alpine ascent to Margelchopf.

Via Doppelgleis to the highest and most challenging mountain of the Alvier group.

Today, on 02.09.2021, it was supposed to be a challenging mountain route again, but unfortunately, not everything went as planned. Because I knew that the north side of the Sichelchamm is a bit of a "shadow spot" in the morning at this time of year, I did not leave home too early. At around 9:00 a.m., I started the route at the "Höhi" parking lot on the Voralp.

Hike through impressive karst landscape.

Today, on 26.12.2025, the plan is to go for a winter hike to Margelchopf. When I drove up the mountain road to the Berghaus Malbun in my car, having escaped the thick Rhine Valley fog, I was very happy to find beautiful, sunny weather with fairly warm temperatures of about 3 degrees, yay! But when I parked the car at the Berghaus Malbun parking lot and opened the car door, a biting, cold föhn wind blew in my face, what a frustration! I actually considered canceling this hike right at the start because I really cannot stand such a biting, cold föhn wind and wondered how strong this föhn wind would blow up on Margelchopf at 2164 m altitude!!?? Since the trip took almost an hour, I thought I might as well try it, I can always quit later. So I started my mountain tour to Margelchopf, bundled up with the collar pulled up, at around 9:45 am at the Berghaus Malbun parking lot.

Today, on 26.07.2019, is the last hot day of the second "heat wave" this summer. Temperatures in the lowlands are expected to rise up to 35 degrees, so it's best to leave the lowlands and head up into the mountains. After only a little sleep - it was too warm for me in the bedroom - I was already ready at about 7:15 a.m. at Buchser Malbun, at the Berghaus Malbun. My chosen route today is to go over the two mountains, Chli and Gross Fulfirst. Due to the intense heat, I skipped the additionally planned Glannachopf, so I had more energy available for the two "Fulfirste".

Actually, this hiking route over the northwest ridge to the Margelchopf was originally planned for next year. However, since there are also wonderful hiking days in November this year, I decided today, on 18.11.2018, at short notice to complete this demanding route this year after all. The start of the route was at the Berghaus Malbun, above Buchs SG. As I drove up the mountain road, the fog accompanied me almost all the way to Berghaus Malbun, and only about 100 meters in elevation before the Berghaus, I emerged from the fog with my car. At the parking lot at the Berghaus, the outside temperature displayed -5 degrees in the car. Because this route descends about 208 meters in elevation in the first part towards Ivelspus, I would have to spend some time in the fog, but with about 30 minutes, it was limited.

Oberdorf - Freienalp - Gamsalp - Gamserrugg - Chäserrugg - Hinterrugg - Alp Sellamatt - Zinggen (Sellamatt) - Sellamatt

The Tristencholben, with its steep rock faces on the south side, is actually more of a mountain for climbers. However, I have learned from posts on Hirk that it is also possible to climb this mountain without ropes and pitons. On the northwest side, it should be possible to ascend the Tristencholben via a rock ledge and a well-graded grassy slope. I definitely want to find out if this is true today, October 19, and I quickly pack my hiking gear into my backpack and drive by car to the beautiful Toggenburg.

For today's hiking route, I chose a somewhat higher hiking destination again, as the snow has retreated back to about 2,000 meters. My route choice falls on Margelchopf, which is usually quickly snow-free from the Isisizgrat in spring, only on the way to the Isisizgrat the snow lingers a little longer. Around 10:00 a.m., I arrived at the parking lot at Berghaus Malbun. I was a little surprised by the few cars parked on the spacious lot, as the weather was nice and many hiking enthusiasts had taken the day off for this "bridge day". But that was all right for me, as it made for a nice, rather lonely hike with only a few "hiking acquaintances" - no mass tourism as is sometimes the case here in summer.