Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Login or Signup

Get the App

Login or Signup

Routes
Hiking trails & Routes
Switzerland
Eastern Switzerland
St. Gallen
Sarganserland
Vilters-Wangs

5-lake hike on the Pizol

Hard

4.8

(806)

5,636

hikers

5-lake hike on the Pizol

04:47

11.2km

480m

Hiking

Please observe the rules of conduct in the Graue Hörner hunting ban area

1. Stay on the official paths.
2. Take your rubbish back with you.
3. Respect wildlife resting zones, hunting ban areas & closures.
4. Wild camping is not desired – use official facilities.
5. Be considerate of people, animals & property.
6. Use the WC facilities at the mountain railways.
7. No drones in the hunting ban area.
8. Keep your distance from mother cows & herd protection dogs.
9. Fires only at official fire pits.
10. Biking only on official trails.

More info: https://heidiland.com/erleben/aktivitaeten/wandern/respektiere-deine-natur-verhaltensregeln-pizol-batoeni.html

***

No less than five fantastic mountain lakes characterise this hike between the Pizolhütte and Gaffia. Each one impresses with a different colour, surreal reflections and clear water. You can also enjoy insights into the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site Tektonikarena Sardona.

The starting point is the Pizolhütte, which you can reach with the Pizolbahnen in three sections from Wangs. The first highlight is the idyllically situated Wangsersee, to which you can make a detour from the Pizolhütte.

Following the winding path, you then climb up to the Wildsee. The intense light blue of the water stands in breathtaking contrast to the rocky peaks of the surrounding mountains. The view of the Pizolgletscher and the Graue Hörner is fascinating.

Just a few metres next to the Wildsee, lake number three awaits you. The Schottensee also seems to have sprung from a picture book. On one side, the water is bordered by high rock faces, on the other side, the terrain drops steeply and offers a fantastic panorama.

On the safe crossing on the ridge of the Schwarzplangg, you can let your gaze wander into the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site Tektonikarena Sardona. The Pizolgletscher, Ringelspitz and Piz Sardona lie imposantly before you. From the Schwarzplangg, you descend to the dark Schwarzsee. With a bit of luck, you can observe chamois and even eagles here.

At the Rossstall, you reach an unreal-looking plateau with countless stone figures. Over time, the stone family grows larger and larger, and you too can pause for a moment and add another figure.

Via the east flank of the Gamidaur, you reach the fifth and final lake of this hike. The small Baschalvasee reflects the lush green of the surrounding slopes. From the shore, the view extends to the Rhine Valley.

Afterwards, you hike down to the charming mountain restaurant Gaffia, where you can recharge after this great tour. The Gaffia mountain railway station is just a few steps away. From there, the mountain railways lead back down into the valley to Wangs.

by

Last updated: August 5, 2024

Tips

Includes a segment that may be dangerous

A part of this route comprises technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience may be required.

After 3.48 km for 3 m

Waypoints

A

Start point

Get Directions

1

626 m

Wangsersee

Highlight • Lake

Wangsersee, Pizol at 2205 meters above sea level
The Wangsersee is located in the St. Gallen communities of Bad Ragaz and Vilters-Wangs. The small mountain lake is not far from the mountain station of the Pizolbahnen or the Pizolhütte at an altitude of 2205 meters above sea level. The Valaisbach flows down the valley from the Wangsersee.
On the shores of the lake you have a magnificent view of the mountains in the Pizol area. The Wangsersee is also the start or end point of the five-lake hike, which also passes the Wildsee, the Schottensee, the Schwarzsee and the Baschalvasee.
Text / Source: Schweizersee.ch
schweizersee.ch/wangsersee

Translated by Google •

Tip by

2

3.45 km

Wildseeluggen

Highlight • Lake

Great lake with beautiful mountain scenery

Translated by Google •

Tip by

3

4.43 km

Schottensee

Highlight • Lake

If you start early and walk the tour the other way around, you will probably only find a few other hikers at the Schottensee, before the Wildsee is teeming with people.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

4

6.65 km

Schwarzsee (Pizol)

Highlight • Lake

One lake more beautiful than the other, but each one is unique. The Schwarzsee lives up to its name and shimmers darkly in the sunlight.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

5

7.46 km

Stone Cairns at Rossstall

Highlight • Structure

Ascent from Schwarzsee to a plateau with many cairns. From there you have a wonderful view in all directions.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

6

9.29 km

Lake Baschalva

Highlight • Lake

From Lake Baschalva you can see all the way into the Rhine Valley, although that becomes irrelevant when you look at this beautiful mountain lake. Depending on which direction you do the 5 Lakes hike, this is the first or the last of the five lakes on the hike.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

7

11.0 km

Gaffia Mountain Inn

Highlight • Mountain Hut

Quaint inn with delicious food. After the strenuous ascent or descent, it is worth stopping here.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

B

11.2 km

End point

Loading

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

9.89 km

872 m

436 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

9.97 km

1.12 km

110 m

< 100 m

Sign up to see more specific route details

Sign up for free

Elevation

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (2,480 m)

Lowest point (1,860 m)

Sign up to see more specific route details

Sign up for free

Weather

Powered by Foreca

Wednesday 8 July

19°C

8°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 10.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

August 15, 2021,🇨🇭 5 Seen Wanderung Pizol
🙈 A very nice tour despite the great migration
Start: Wangs with the gondola and 2x chairlift to the Pizolhütte
first a little bit to the left to the


"Wangersee"
the small mountain lake is located above Wangs northeast of the Pizol summit at 2206 m

Showing Translation

Done in the opposite direction💪🏼
If you're not afraid of a few more meters of elevation, then definitely without too many people.
Tight but fantastic!

Showing Translation

Yesterday, I kept my wife's promise and went on this hike with her and her best friend.
Unfortunately, I didn't make it to the 5-Lakes Hike because the cold beer at the Pizol Hut tasted too good.
Choosing this direction was the right decision; otherwise, it would have turned into a 🦆-march.

Showing Translation

Wonderful hike, also great for beginners. Breathtaking lakes and landscapes. Belongs on the hike-to-do list. Chic alpine restaurants. Have fun

Showing Translation

I even found something to climb 😉
The Gamidaurspitz over the side with the rope is fun ☺️

Showing Translation

Great tour on the Pizol on the 5 lakes hike.
Parked at the train for 5 francs, or possible via easypark.

Showing Translation

September 6, 2025,5 Seen Wanderung
Fantastic hiking conditions today, better than expected. After what feels like 50 years, I once again tackled the 5 Lakes Hike from the Pizol Hut. I shared some fantastic mountain impressions with many hiking enthusiasts from all over the world. The tour is easily manageable with appropriate gear. For another time, I'd prefer a weekday. Bottom line: it was great …

Showing Translation

July 23, 2023,5-Seen Wanderung
Wonderful but crowded hike in the Pizol. It's worth going early and walking from bottom to top. At times, the hikers came towards us in single columns...

Showing Translation

September 7, 2019

Please observe the rules of conduct in the Graue Hörner hunting ban area



1. Stay on the official paths.

2. Take your rubbish back with you.

3. Respect wildlife resting zones, hunting ban areas & closures.

4. Wild camping is not desired – use official facilities.

5. Be considerate of people, animals & property

Showing Translation

guide_signup

Want to know more?

Sign up for a free komoot account to join the conversation.

Sign up for free

This route was planned by komoot.

Save

Edit route

Download GPX

Move start point

Print

Share

Embed on a website

Report an Issue

Report restricted access

Nearby routes

Hard

4.8

5,636

5-lake hike on the Pizol

04:47h

11.2km

480m

Explore
RoutesRoute plannerFeaturesHikesMTB TrailsRoad cycling routesBikepackingSitemap
Download the app
Follow Us on Socials

© komoot GmbH

Privacy Policy