The circular hike with a panoramic view is dedicated to the artist and honorary citizen of Altstätten. Ferdinand Gehr himself frequently walked this path during his strolls.
The famous painter Ferdinand Gehr spent most of his life in Altstätten and created many of his works here. The current Ferdinand Gehr path was frequently walked by the artist and honorary citizen of Altstätten himself. The trail at the forest, not far from the town and in the middle of the vineyard, begins at the chapel in the forest. In the forest chapel, the artist created colorful stained glass windows. The path leads eastwards over the ridge of the forest. The section up to the 500-year-old winegrower's press of the local citizen community also forms the wine hiking path. Later, a narrow trail leads over a short, steep staircase to Harztannenstrasse. On the street, it goes back westwards. Soon you pass the former residence and studio of Ferdinand Gehr. The house is easy to recognize: the facade is decorated with a large mural by the artist, who died in 1996 at the age of 100. It continues along the gravel road until you turn right at the Drei-Linden-Shed to return to the starting point at the chapel.
Author’s recommendation
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On the ridge south of the town of Altstätten stands the charming forest chapel. From here you have a beautiful panoramic view of the Riet, the Rhine plain, and into Vorarlberg. There are benches along the chapel and under the winter linden tree. Perfect for a well-deserved break.
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A great place to sit and relax is also offered by the recently renovated Drei-Linden-Shed. Please use the facility with care.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Rest stops
Winery ZündHotel Restaurant Sonne
Tips and suggestions
Hike character: Up to the Ferdinand Gehr path, there are paved roads; the Ferdinand Gehr path runs mostly on dirt roads and gravel paths.Roadbook
Altstätten SG, Feldstrasse
Winery Zünd
Altstätten SG, Traube
Altstätten SG
Hotel Restaurant Sonne
Altstätten
Altstätten SG, Breite
Altstätten Stadt
ehemaliges Wohnhaus Ferdinand Gehr
Drei-Linden-Schüür
Forstkapelle Altstätten
Gedenktafel Ferdinand Gehr
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
From St.Gallen, trains run 3 times per hour directly to Altstätten SG (S2/S4/IR 13) or with the Appenzeller railways to Gais, where you change to the rack railway to Altstätten town.
Directions
St.Gallen towards Teufen, partial section «Grand Tour of Switzerland» to Gais via Stoss to Altstätten.
Parking
The urban area of Altstätten is divided into several parking zones. Parking is free but time-limited to a maximum of 48 hours at the Stossplatz, near the old town.
Parking zone division:
- Parking zone 1: Areas within the old town, max. 2 hours
- Parking zone 2: Areas immediately near the old town, max. 48 hours
- Parking zone 3: Sports facilities and Chunrat music house area, max. 18 hours
- Parking zone station area: max. 7 days (special zone SBB station)
- Rathaus parking garage
Coordinates
Book recommendations for this region:
Equipment
Comfortable shoes are recommended.Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

User Questions