Flums – St Peter – Chapfensee – Mels

This lovely panoramic hike takes a few height meters to get to but it certainly is worth the effort. On reaching the path along the hillside, you will be rewarded with beautiful views of the valley and the mountains on the opposite side. Towards the end of the hike there is lovely Chapfensee, which invites for a break and, on a hot day, a swim.

Start in Flums and make your way towards the south west end of the village. Here the path starts uphill and is somewhat steep for a while. While climbing higher, enjoy the views along the valley to distract you from all that effort.

The path meets the road occasionally and once you arrive at St. Peter, a pretty little village, it flattens off. Now walk along the road towards the restaurant Spitzmeilenblick which does actually have a view of the Spitzmeilen mountain. Continue on the quiet road past the restaurant until the hiking sign points to the left, steeply down the side of the road. There is actually a more gentle path leading down to the river a few meters before the sign.

Cross the river and climb back up on the other side. The path now leads through the woods for a little while until it emerges in a lovely meadow with great views along the valley. Soon you will get onto a paved path again which after a while meets a small road. Turn sharply to the right and follow the road until the path turns off to the left.

Now you have the last steep height meters to conquer before reaching a lovely and steady level path. Follow the panoramic path above the valley and enjoy the view of the surrounding mountains. You have earned it!

Soon you will arrive at the little village of Parmort. Just past the village you will reach Chapfensee, a water reservoir with plenty of benches to sit down for a break. There is a kiosk in the village and one by the lake so you can stock up on your drink and food supplies.

Follow the path around the lake to the left and enjoy the views. At the end of the lake the path crosses the dam and then you will reach a crossroads. You now have the option to turn left and walk directly down to Mels. However, this hike turns right towards Vermol. The path leads first along a forest road and later a small walking path, through woods and across meadows. It is a gentle uphill until you reach the small village of Vermol.

Vermol again offers great views of the surrounding mountains and into the Weisstannen valley. In the winter this village is the start point for a lovely ski tour up the Hühnerkopf (chicken head). There is also a restaurant with an outdoor sitting area.

From Vermol start the descent into Mels. Follow the road through the village until you reach a small chapel. Here the path turns off the road to the right. It is now a steeper downhill along a mountain path, mainly through the woods, all the way into Mels.

Once reaching the outskirts of Mels, the views open up again. Make your way through the town to the train station where this hike ends.