Pardiel – Pizolhütte – 5 Lakes – Gaffia

Crystal clear and beautifully coloured mountain lakes (including the Pizol 5 Lakes) and panoramic views are plentiful on this easy but long hike, over 2000 m above sea level. You will get a great view of Pizol and its small glacier and down into the Rhine valley.

Of course you can do the 5 Lakes walk as suggested by the Pizolbahnen, starting from Pizolhütte hut. But that would be a relatively short walk and it is usually rather crowded. The hike described here is a slightly extended version of the 5 Lakes hike, extending it by one lake and about 2 hours. It also adds a couple of hours of tranquillity before joining the potentially many people on the 5 Lakes circuit.

Take the Pizolbahnenn gondola from Bad Ragaz up to Pardiel. From here take the path towards Vilterser Seeli lake, which will lead you west from the gondola station. For the first part the path stays fairly level, with great views of the Rhine valley below.

After a while the path starts turning uphill, leading along the Seebach stream and to the Vilterser Seeli lake. This is a crystal clear mountain lake surrounded by steep slopes and grazing cows. It is off the beaten path and therefore a place to enjoy the tranquility of the mountains.

The path now leads along the lake and then starts getting steeper on the slope at the far end. Keep following it uphill until you reach Wangersee. This is the first lake of the 5 Lakes circuit.

At the Wangersee lake the path levels out and leads past the Pizolhütte hut, where you could take a break and have a cool drink if needed. Behind the hut it’s uphill again, the path leading up a steep slope in many easy turns. All this effort does pay off with the great views of the mountains around and of the Wildsee at the top of the slope.

Enjoy the stunning turquoise color of this lake and the view of Pizol and its small glacier at the far end. To continue, turn right along the lake, the path mostly level and after just a few meters you will look down onto Schottensee, lake number 3 of 5.

It’s downhill towards the lake, all the way to it’s shore. The views of the lake are beautiful, the color also an amazing turquoise and the surrounding mountains making a fantastic backdrop.

The lake is surrounded by meadows, which offer some great places for a lunch break. You may enjoy the company of sheep along the shores of Schottensee.

Past Schottensee the path stays level for a bit and then leads uphill again in some easy turns. The panoramic views are stunning along here, so take your time up the slope to really enjoy them.

Soon you will reach the ridge between Schottensee and Schwarzsee, a great place for panoramic views of two valleys. From here you will also have a first glimpse of lake Schwarzsee below.

It is now downhill to lake Schwarzsee, which is a different color than the two previous lakes, with dark blue clear water. The path leads level along the shore of the lake and then it’s a short steep uphill again on the other side.

Arriving at the ridge on the other side of the lake, you will find a colony of cairns that always cause speculation over their origins. Add a stone and make your way along the ridge.

Along the ridge you will have a first view of lake number 5 and some beautiful flowery meadows. Along the ridge the path soon offers a turn to the right, which most hikers will use. This hike however continues for a couple hundred meters along the ridge, up to the Gamidaurspitz. The top offers great views along the Rhein valley and the path continues below the rocks of Gamidaurspitz, with even more great views.

Soon the path turns a sharp right and leads into the valley to Baschalvasee lake. This is the last lake on this hike.

Behind Baschalvasee the path starts leading downhill all the way to Alpe Gaffia and the Gaffia Gondola station.

At the Alpe you can stop again for a refreshment, before taking the gondola down all the way into Wangs. From Wangs a free bus service regularly connects Wangs and Bad Ragaz gondola stations, offering an easy way back to the start of the hike.