N˚ 06

SPACE » Just Dance! » Art in Public Space » From to the Moon » Urban Jungle » Living Utopia » Ring of Fire HOW TO GET THERE Trains leave from Zurich in Chäserrugg. Visitors have the option every half hour, meaning you can be up of booking a personal training session for on Chäserrugg in less than two hours. a few hours. In any case, we recommend Whether you head to the mountain for keeping those skis on until you’ve expe- winter pleasures or summer hiking, the rienced the legendary eastern descent. Text: Michèle Fröhlich train ride on the Voralpen-Express is an After a sporty start on the summit, skiers Photography: Stephan Rappo experience in its own right. can savor a five kilometer ski route lead- voralpen-express.ch ing through snowy alpine meadows and forests, all the way to Stöfeli ski station. At the waterfalls Skiing: Tickets from CHF 48; personal AN ADVENTURE AWAY In summer, the waterfalls roar as training sessions from CHF 100. Land on the Chäserrugg mountain, surrounded the Thur river plunges into the deep. In winter, they transform into a silent ice Panoramic views by great architecture and enticing nature. palace adorned with huge, glittering ici- The wind can pick up on Chäser- cles. However, it is not just the water be- rugg, which is a good thing as it whips up ing frozen that turns this place silent in fine ice crystals and waves of snow. These winter; it is also the fact that few venture natural works of art can be witnessed on out here in the cold. the circular route on the Rosenboden Hike: From Unterwasser Post, head plateau. An added bonus is the splen- towards Wildhaus. A signpost for the did view of 500 peaks in six countries. If Thur waterfalls can be found at Hotel not obscured by a sea of clouds, even the Sternen, approx. 15 min. gaudy blue waters of Lake Walenstadt ap- pear close enough to touch. A skiing experience Hiking: Circular route from Chäserrugg Whether you’re a newbie or a sea- to Rosenboden: between 45 min soned pro – skiing is the way to get around and 2 hrs, depending on the route.

To the peak Lodge design by Herzog & de Meuron

TOURIST INFORMATION Winter on Chäserrugg mountain New: day trip by bus from Zurich through the year. Option for first ski experience The alpine world meets innovative with Skischool Chäserrugg in winter. chaeserrugg.ch architecture by Herzog & de Meuron on the first and 78easternmost mountain of the Churfirsten range. 79 Lunch at the summit A bite to eat at the barn Back in the toasty mountain lodge, Visitors to the Gade Lodge restau- designed by the Swiss architects Herzog & rant will be greeted by its two cheerful de Meuron, guests can warm their frozen hosts with a tasty aperitif. You’d be a fool fingers by the fire. The modern architec- to miss out on a cordon bleu, rösti, or filet ture, which combines tradition and inno- steak before making your final sled descent vation without resorting to alpine chic, to Unterwasser – let’s be honest: the aro- creates an inviting and relaxing ambiance. mas coming from the kitchen of this con­ The perfect accompaniment: a delicious verted barn are too appetizing to ignore. menu offering fresh regional alpine cuisine. Food: Served at the Gade Lodge restau- Food: Gipfelrestaurant Chäserrugg, from rant. Continue on the sled to the valley daily specials to three-course menus. ­station at Unterwasser. gadelodge.ch

Off to the lake! Summer tip From Stöfeli, a sled will whisk you Hikers are accompanied by various sounds to the Gade Lodge restaurant below the on the six-kilometer sound trail (Klang- Espel ski station. Time to take a break weg) from Alp Sellamatt to Oberdorf. This from the adrenaline rush, pull the sled large outdoor arena, with the Churfirsten at a gentle pace and take a stroll to the mountain range as its audience, is home dreamy Schwendisee lake. By the time to 27 sound installations, including one in you’ve rounded the lake and taken a few which the wind induces spherical stones deep breaths, you’ll be completely en- to roll and flutes to whistle. chanted by the landscape. Discover: Sound trail from Alp Sella­ Sledding and strolling: From Stöfeli to matt to Iltios, or further on to Oberdorf; Gade Lodge by sled, and then to the approx. 1 to 4 hrs, open Jun – Oct. Schwendisee lakes on foot, approx.1 ½ hr. klangwelt.swiss

DISCOVER THE ALPINE FOOTHILLS BY RAIL: VORALPEN-EXPRESS

The Voralpen-Express, which operates an hourly service between and St. Gallen, is the most convenient and beautiful rail link connecting central and eastern . After a glance back at and Mount Pilatus, the train travels past Summit break Perfect skiing the peaks of the Schwyzer Mythen towards St. Gallen.

voralpen-express.ch/en DON’ T MISS IN 2019 Jun – Oct Sunrise Breakfast: at Chäserrugg / Aug 2 & 9 Nights with the stars: with astronomers from ETH Zurich / Sep Irish Openair : live music and pubs irish-openair.ch / May – Apr Full Moon Dinner: at Chäserrugg chaeserrugg.ch

More about our partner: p. 139 81