Thanks to the Mattstock chairlift, it all starts in a leisurely manner. From the top station, the hiking trail leads eastwards over the Strichboden alpine pastures, past the Gäudighütte to Amden's "Hintere Höhi". The impressive high moorland landscape with its numerous magnificent Legföhren is impressive.
The trail soon turns westwards and leads along the north side of the Mattstock via Alp Vordermatt to Alp Oberkäsern. Here you may enjoy some delicious meringues with hand-whipped cream.
Up to the Top in a Zigzag
The Speer ascent starts at the Chäseren: a steep zigzag tour of about 45 minutes up to the striking Speer summit rewards you with a magnificent panoramic view of the Schwyz, Glarus and Graubünden Alps, Lake Zurich and Lake Constance. After a rest on the summit of Europe's highest Nagelfluh mountain, the trail follows the same route down to Oberkäsern.
The route continues in a south-westerly direction around the Mattstock massif and over the Hintermatt alp. At Blaggenboden, the alpine path changes into a hiking trail that leads to the Durschlegi viewpoint and back to Amden.
Alternatively, you may start the hike from Amden via Durschlegi. The chairlift route can be done on foot.
At a Glance
- Duration: 5.5 to 6 hours
- Good footwear is essential
- Recommended hiking maps: Hiking map Middle Toggenburg Gasterland 1:50,000, Toggenburg-Walensee 1:25,000
Information on the Route
With the "GPS Tracks" smartphone app, you can download a description of the hike plus interesting background information. The radio presenter Kathrin Hönegger provides information in German at 12 different stations along the way.
How it works:
- Download the "gps tracks" app onto your smartphone
- Start the application
- Press the star button
- Search for "Speerweg" under keyword search
- See the entire tour description and download the data
- Start hiking, inform yourself and enjoy!
Route
Amden village - Niederschlag - Hintere Höhi - Oberchäseren - Speer - Oberchäseren - Unterchäseren - Hasenboden - Durschlegi - Amden village
