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Loop Trails near Sankt Gallen

The directory currently contains 10 quality-checked routes matching this guide near Sankt Gallen. Their average mapped distance is 11.2 km and average recorded ascent is 544 m (1,785 ft); the longest route in the set is 28.3 km.

This subset represents 6% of the 170 quality-checked routes near Sankt Gallen. Its average distance is 11.2 km, compared with 13.2 km across the full local set.

Every route in this set is classified as a loop and returns to its starting area. A loop can still reuse part of the same path. Within this set, 0 routes (0%) are rated easy, 3 (30%) are rated hard or expert, and 10 (100%) are recorded as loops. Ratings are computed from available distance and elevation data and do not establish current terrain or access.

Data refreshed September 2026

Choose by the details

How do these routes differ?

A closer look at the first 6 routes in this page’s default ordering. These comparisons describe this sample, not the entire destination or a field-tested recommendation.

Shortest mapped distance in this sample

4.9 km

Bachtel-Spalt

Compare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.

Lowest recorded ascent in this sample

260 m

Bachtel-Spalt

6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.

Return logistics

6 recorded loops

Check start and finish for every option. An unknown shape does not mean a loop, and a loop does not establish access to its start.

Plan the return journey →

Distances follow stored route lines; ascent and time are estimates. Current access, surface and technical difficulty need separate checks. How to turn a comparison into a shortlist.

Trails

Expert

Appenzeller Alpenweg

Appenzell Ausserrhoden · Switzerland

Distance
28.3 km
/ 17.6 mi
Elevation gain
1,364 m
Typical duration
8 hr 20 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
lake of Pfäffikon ( Pfäffikersee ), canton of Zurich, Switzerland. Picture taken from the top of the mountain Bachtel.
Moderate

Bachtel-Kulm

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
8.4 km
/ 5.2 mi
Elevation gain
376 m
Typical duration
2 hr 19 min
  • Waymarked route
lake of Pfäffikon ( Pfäffikersee ), canton of Zurich, Switzerland. Picture taken from the top of the mountain Bachtel.
Moderate

Bachtel-Spalt

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
4.9 km
/ 3.0 mi
Elevation gain
260 m
Typical duration
1 hr 24 min
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Bachtelweiher

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
6.6 km
/ 4.1 mi
Elevation gain
312 m
Typical duration
1 hr 50 min
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Rundweg 4-Quellen

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
9.4 km
/ 5.8 mi
Elevation gain
517 m
Typical duration
2 hr 44 min
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Rundweg B3

St. Gallen · Switzerland

Distance
7.8 km
/ 4.8 mi
Elevation gain
343 m
Typical duration
2 hr 8 min
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Rundweg B4

St. Gallen · Switzerland

Distance
7.5 km
/ 4.7 mi
Elevation gain
378 m
Typical duration
2 hr 8 min
  • Waymarked route

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Voralp - Niederipass - Höchst - VoralpSt. Gallen10.9 km922 m3 hr 40 minHardJune to October
Appenzeller AlpenwegAppenzell Ausserrhoden28.3 km1,364 m8 hr 20 minExpertApril to October
Palfries - Kurhaus Sennis RundtourSt. Gallen15.2 km560 m4 hr 1 minHardJune to October
Bachtel-KulmZurich8.4 km376 m2 hr 19 minModerateApril to October
Bachtel-SpaltZurich4.9 km260 m1 hr 24 minModerateApril to October
BachtelweiherZurich6.6 km312 m1 hr 50 minModerateApril to October
Rundweg 4-QuellenZurich9.4 km517 m2 hr 44 minModerateApril to October
Rundweg B3St. Gallen7.8 km343 m2 hr 8 minModerateApril to October
Rundweg B4St. Gallen7.5 km378 m2 hr 8 minModerateApril to October
Wartauer Sagen- und GeschichtswegSt. Gallen12.9 km411 m3 hr 18 minModerateApril to October

Appenzeller Alpenweg, Voralp - Niederipass - Höchst - Voralp, Rundweg 4-Quellen currently rank highest in this filtered set according to the directory score. Open an individual route to inspect its mapped line, elevation profile, data source and planning caveats. Check live access, conditions and local rules with an official source before travelling.

Frequently asked questions

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Choosing a route

How to choose a hike beyond the difficulty label

Compare distance, climbing, route shape and missing information to build a shortlist that fits your day.

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Understanding the map

Read an elevation profile without misreading the climb

Understand total ascent, net height change, profile scale and the section breakdown on each mapped route.

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Planning your day

Build a hiking time plan with room for your own pace

Separate moving time, climbing allowance and stops, then explore how changing your assumptions changes the plan.

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