Hotel Restaurant Arvenbüel

book room

Summer and autumn activities

hiking, biking, swimming, exploring, relaxing…

Amden-Arvenbüel is not only the perfect destination for hikers, but also for bikers, swimmers, adventurers and people with a thirst for knowledge. We have a few tips for you!

Hiking

Directly in front of the house begins a wonderful hiking area with over 100 km of marked and well-maintained trails on the community's own ground. In addition, the hiking area Amden is directly connected with the Toggenburg via several hiking trails. How about a hike from Arvenbüel to Wildhaus?

The varied geography offers countless possibilities for every level of difficulty - from a leisurely stroll to a demanding day hike.

High moors “Vorder Höhi” and “Hinter Höhi”

One of the most important raised bogs in Switzerland is located on Amden soil. The marshy natural landscape, overgrown with pine trees, offers ideal conditions for capercaillies.

High moor Amden
Resting bench in Amden

Ammler high trail

This fantastic panorama trail starts at the mountain station of the chair lift Mattstock and ends after 8 km directly in front of the hotel Arvenbüel. The high trail leads through the middle of the large high moor “Hinter Höhi”.

Hiking around the lake (Walensee)

Beautiful walks can also be undertaken around the Lake (Walensee). Enjoy the cool water after a strenuous walk and combine your hike with a boat trip, for example.

Hiking at the lake Walensee
View from the Speer

View from the Speer

In addition to a high moor of natural importance and one of the highest waterfalls in Europe, Amden also has the highest Nagelfluh mountain in Europe - the Speer. The impressive hike to the summit of the 1950-meter-high Speer offers an unforgettable view across the country's borders.

Marmot trail for families

The “Munggeweg” was created especially for families. The marmot "Amdo" shows young and old how it is to live as a marmot and provides a lot of fun and variety for the whole family.

Ammler Munggeweg

Hiking impressions

after a nice walk to the Chapf this unique view awaits you Signpost at Amden Arvenbüel old advertising poster of Amden Fürlegi with Mürtschenstock Leistkamm on the way to the viewpoint Chapf on the way to the viewpoint Chapf wild brook near Amden High moor in Amden

Biking

Special Bike Offer

Leave the hustle and bustle behind, experience nature, indulge in culinary delights and return home full of energy and renewed zest for action.

  • 3 nights in a large room with balcony
  • daily rich breakfast buffet with five homemade breads
  • pampering board, daily changing 4-course dinner
  • e‑mountain bike available all day from Tuesday to Thursday
  • free use of the sauna
to bike in Amden
  • arrival only possible on Tuesday
  • special price per person in a double room: from CHF 459.00 to 594.00
  • special price in a single room: from CHF 594.00 to 729.00

Bike Routes

Bike enthusiasts can expect sweaty climbs and rapid descents with breathtaking views in Amden.

“Amden Bike” bike tour

This tour combines mountain and lake in all their facets. Right at the start, the rapid descent to Weesen provides a breath of fresh air. If it goes down somewhere, then it has to go up again. The ascent from Weesen at 420 meters above sea level is long and steady.

The highest point of the route is reached at Underbütz at around 1,300 meters above sea level. The last two hundred meters in altitude between Matt and Underbütz are particularly tough: on the steep and bumpy path, you need to be in good shape to get up without descending. During the almost 10 km long ascent, there are always opportunities to take a break and enjoy the literally breathtaking view of the majestic Glarus Alps and the turquoise-blue Walensee.

Before the last 300 meters in altitude from Amden to Arvenbüel get the pulse racing once again, the descent from Underbütz to Amden provides a brief respite. Over the 30 km of this tour, the total ascent is 1200 meters.

Amden Bike Bike route Arvenbüel - Weesen - Underbütz - Amden - Arvenbüel
Bike route Arvenbüel - Walensee - Arvenbüel

From the moutain to the beach

If you want to start the day with a dip in the lake, whizz down the mountain to Weesen to one of the bathing beaches on Lake Walen, where you can relax and enjoy the cool water. After this relaxation, the subsequent 800 meters in altitude can be mastered with ease – especially with a rented e-bike.

View into Toggenburg: short, medium or long tour

If you are looking for a challenge, start heading north uphill. The Vorder Höhi is reached after about 30 minutes. The view of Toggenburg, Säntis and Alpstein makes this short climb more than worthwhile. The route continues downhill towards Stein/Starkenbach past a beautiful upland moor, along rushing streams that flow into the day and through shady forests.

If you prefer a shorter tour, take the same route back.

Alternatively, there is now the route via Wattwil, over the Ricken, to Kaltbrunn, Ziegelbrücke and Weesen and back up to Amden/Arvenbüel.

If you are looking for the hardcore variant, choose the Toggenburg route downhill towards Buchs. You first pass the Wildhaus pass before heading towards the Rhine Valley. From Buchs, head towards Sargans and then pedal towards Lake Walen. From Walenstadt to Weesen, the route leads left along the fjord-like, deep blue lake. The striking cliffs of the Churfirsten rise up on the opposite side of the lake. This route covers around 100 km.

We can recommend the following sports store to purchase equipment for biking or hiking:

By car (13.5 km): Amden – Weesen – Ziegelbrücke, after the 1st railroad crossing turn left over the bridge in the direction of Niederurnen, continue on Ziegelbrückstrasse until the crossing Hauptstrasse, there turn left and continue for about 200 meters. Velo Motos Lüscher is on the left.

Arrival by bus (47 min): Bus no. 650 to Ziegelbrücke, change to bus no. 511 or no. 512 to Niederurnen Ochsenplatz, continue 100 meters on foot along Hauptstrasse.

On and in the water

  • There are various beaches around the Lake (Walensee). You can choose if you prefer sandy or stony beaches or if you prefer sitting on the grass.
  • Whether water skiing, surfing, pedalos or much more, there is certainly something for you to do in or near the water.
bathing in the lake Walensee
  • Indoor swimming pool Amden: If the weather doesn't play along, the indoor swimming pool, which was completely renovated in 2019, is always a good alternative.

Golfing

With great passion we have advocated for a golf course in Arvenbüel. Despite great support, we unfortunately had to abandon our vision at the end of 2021.

Passionate golfers with a heart for Arvenbüel will find several golf courses in the vicinity of Amden:

Other sports and adventures

  • Tennis with a view: Directly in Arvenbüel, beautifully situated at the edge of the forest, a hard court can be rented.
  • Canyoning in the Fallenbach: High above the Walensee the gorge of the Fallenbach offers optimal conditions for a canyoning adventure for beginners and advanced.
  • Abseiling at the Amden dam: For those who are free from dizziness or those who would like to be, abseiling from the 40-meter-high dam wall is certainly an unforgettable experience.

Excursions

  • Mediterranean Quinten on the Lake (Walensee): Have you ever been to Quinten? Don't miss this unique place! Thanks to the Mediterranean climate, figs, bananas and kiwis grow here. Vines also thrive here so well that excellent wines are made from them.
  • The falls of the Seeren Creek and the Rin Spring: In the immediate vicinity of Quinten is one of the highest waterfalls and one of the largest underground river systems in Europe - the Seerenbach Falls with its Rin Spring below Amden. This waterfall is particularly impressive after heavy rainfall.
  • Boat trip on the Lake (Walensee): The Walensee-Schifffahrt also offers round trips. Explore the places around the lake.
  • Town of Weesen: The beautiful town with the Dominican monastery and the lake promenade invites you to stroll and linger.
  • Explore Eastern Switzerland with OSKAR – of course also available at the Hotel Arvenbüel!

Museums

  • Museum Amden: Learn interesting facts about the history of Amden. The exploration of one of the largest underground river systems in Europe is impressively documented. Ask about the changing exhibition.
  • Museum and gallery Weesen: The permanent exhibition is dedicated to the medieval town of Weesen in Roman times. In addition, there are temporary exhibitions on various topics.
  • Bakery Museum Benken: If you like sweet things, the confectionery and bakery museum in Benken will certainly make your mouth water. The Bretzelstube restaurant, which is located in the same building as the museum, provides a remedy.
  • Explore Eastern Switzerland with OSKAR, the Eastern Switzerland Guest Card

Winter activities

For skiers, snowboarders, snow-shoe hikers, walkers and those in search of peace and quiet, Arvenbüel is just the right destination for a vacation or a day trip in winter.

Winter activities

Source: some photographs are from Amden & Weesen Tourism.