Bad Ragaz: Thermal Baths, Art and Trails on the Pizol

Bad Ragaz lies in the Sarganserland at the foot of the Pizol massif and on the banks of the Rhine. Thermal springs, walking and hiking trails, and parks shape the landscape between mountains, meadows and forests. The destination offers several highlights for visitors: bathing culture, public art, mountain trails and historic village culture.

Thermal Springs and Bathing Culture

The Tamina Therme has eight pools covering a total area of 7,300 m². Its sauna area includes seven saunas inspired by Finnish wellness traditions. Treatments include massage, haki®, Shiatsu and pedicures, among others. The treatments available may change; check before your visit.

The thermal springs of the Tamina made Bad Ragaz well known at an early date. With the construction of modern bathing facilities, the town developed into a health and spa resort in the 19th century. The thermal baths are part of a long bathing history, while the pools, saunas and treatments today offer different ways to shape your stay.

Art, Golf and Village History

Bad Ragartz is a Swiss sculpture triennial. The anniversary edition in 2027 marks 27 years of public art. From 1 May to 31 October 2027, the tenth edition is planned as an open-air art trail featuring more than 400 sculptures. Check the final exhibition dates and programme before travelling. Public guided tours last around two hours and are offered daily; the specific dates depend on the exhibition programme.

Golf is also part of the town’s history: golf has been played in Bad Ragaz since 1905, with a break during the Second World War. The Golf Club Bad Ragaz has an 18-hole championship course. If you are interested in the village’s development, the Bad Ragaz Culture and Village Tour offers an expert-led tour of the historic village. It also explores the historical connection between Ragaz and the Benedictine Abbey of Pfäfers and is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Hikes on the Pizol and in the Valley

The Pizol’s summer hiking area stretches from the valley floor to the 2,844-metre summit and includes more than 120 kilometres of hiking trails. In summer, five modern gondola and chairlifts provide access to the area. The elevation difference between the valley and summit and the extensive trail network are key features to consider when finding your bearings; keep the seasonal operation of the lifts in mind when choosing your dates.

Heidi’s MEDIUM Trail begins with a gondola ride from Bad Ragaz to the starting point in Pardiel. The trail is rated moderate and is 7.7 kilometres long. A hike from the Bad Ragaz valley station takes you by gondola to Pardiel station, along the Heidi Trail to the Schwarzbüel viewpoint, with its views across four countries, and onward through a raised bog landscape to Lake Vilterser Seeli; the walking time is around two hours. As the lifts operate seasonally, check that they are running before setting out.

There are also trails in the surrounding area with a variety of destinations: a four-kilometre hiking trail leads from Bad Ragaz along the Tamina to the Old Bath Pfäfers. From there, a secured path leads 450 metres into the rock to the spring-water grotto of the Tamina Gorge. You can walk along the Tamina Promenade from Bad Ragaz to Giessenpark. The park is considered a green oasis with a natural lake.

Another landmark of the valley is the Freudenberg Castle ruins. They stand on a rocky hill about 84 metres high, around one kilometre northwest of Bad Ragaz, and are considered a landmark, particularly from Bad Ragaz. In addition to thermal baths, sculptures and hiking trails, the surrounding area therefore offers historic sites that can be included as a separate focus in your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Sargans, Vilters-Wangs, Flumserberg, Flums, Quarten, Pfäfers, Vättis, Oberterzen.

For the broader travel overview: Sarganserland.