St. Gallenkirch - Garfrescha

Our doorstep tour: from St. Gallenkirch up to Garfrescha – Maisäß huts, alpine meadows and a stop at the Vermala inn.

easy summer · 6-10 👨‍👩‍👧 Family friendly 🐕 Dogs allowed 🎫 Included with the Freizeit-WildPass

Elevation profile↗ 158 m ↘ 158 m

Garfrescha is the Maisäß settlement above Gortipohl – a handful of old timber houses at 1,500 m, the summit station of the Garfrescha cable car and two inns. The hiking trail from St. Gallenkirch climbs over meadows and through forest in a good 1½ hours (approx. 4.4 km); if you prefer it easier, ride up by cable car and walk down.

From our house it is 600 m to the valley station – so this tour starts without a car right at the door. At the top, coffee and cake at the Vermala inn or the Alpenhotel Garfrescha, the playground and the view across the valley to the Rätikon are worthwhile; from Garfrescha further paths lead to the Alpe Nova and into the Nova valley.

🧭 Route description

The plotted track follows the marked trails according to OpenStreetMap; see the map, elevation profile and GPX file above. Please follow the signposting on site.

💡 Tips & refreshments

Regional rating: fitness 2/6, technique 1/6.

Start early – summer afternoons often bring thunderstorms. Carry enough water; many huts are only open from late June to late September.

From the holiday house in St. Gallenkirch the starting point is easy to reach by Landbus (stop 400 m away) or car – see the travel notes.

🚌 Getting there by public transport

Landbus 650/670, stop St. Gallenkirch Valisera cable car; ski bus in winter. 2 km from the holiday house (bus stop 400 m away).

🅿️ Parking

Large car parks and underground garage at the Valisera/Grasjoch cable cars: free in summer, paid in winter (Silvretta Park garage always paid, 11 kW EV charging).

Emergency: Alpine rescue 140 · Euro emergency 112 · Ambulance 144
All information without guarantee. Please check weather, opening hours and cable car operating times before setting off. Alpine tours require personal responsibility, suitable equipment and experience.

Last updated: 13 Sep 2026 · Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)