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Stats
Stats
Distance: 12.4 km
Duration: 4:30
Minimum Elevation: 488 m
Maximum Elevation: 1063 m
Total climb: 679 m
Total descent: 214 m
Waypoints
Waypoints
Mels 496m 3.5 km / 1h30 Vermol 1016 m 4.3 km / 1h30 Müli 910 m 2.5 km / 0h50 Weisstannen 984 m
View route map for ViaAlpina To Weisstannen on plotaroute.com
The Plan
The Plan
This first day of hiking will help get us acclimatized in an easy way. It is a relatively gentle and short hike to Weisstannen.
To get here, we'll get a train from Zurich to Mels, it takes just over 1:10 and leaves starting from 06:43 for CHF16
On the way
On the way
Gasthaus Mühle could be a good place to stop for a break or lunch.
Update: An amazing place nearby is the Heidiland waterfall arena
Alternative
Alternative
You could get bus 432 (Weisstannen, Oberdorf), then also hike to stay further up at Alp Siez , the accomodation is more dorm like save for a couple of rooms. Alp Siez could be a stop on the way up from Gemse. Staying at Alp Siez would make the following day shorter by about 4 kms or 1 hour, with a little uphill work saved.
Facilities
Facilities
No known ATM in town, but possibly at Hotel Gemse.
Not much else but the hotel is well equipped.
Where to stay
Where to stay
Weisstannen - Hotel Gemse [VISA/MC/Maestro] Einzelzimmer CHF 85
Hotel Alpenhof Weisstannen - a little further up from Gemse CHF 105, [cash, Twint, EC direct], WiFi, Check-in: 4 pm, Check-out: 10 am
https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_Review-g2308576-d2289000-Reviews-Hotel_Gemse-Weisstannen_Canton_of_St_Gallen.html, their website: http://www.weisstannen.ch/#!home-en/byalf - Single room, CHF 85 per night includes breakfast
In Mels Hotel Alpenhof, offering beds in 8-bunk rooms for CHF 30 including basic breakfast.
Another option is at the dairy in Vorspiez, reducing the second day's climb by about an hour. Here they offer mattress-on-the-floor rooms and 3-bed rooms for CHF 30 - 40 including breakfast.
Notes from others
Notes from others
https://viaalpina2013.wordpress.com/2013/07/19/day-39-elm-sargans-19th-july-2013/ :
497m passed by a cherry tree in Mels.Just picked up dessert for tonight dinner.Sargans marked leaving Weisstannen after lunch break.28CHF for an average meal + drinks.
Sources
Sources
http://www.activityworkshop.net/hiking/alpinepassroute/sargans-elm.html
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