Mels: Geotrail, historic lanes and moorland

Mels lies in the Seez Valley, in the Sarganserland constituency of the canton of St. Gallen, between Mount Gonzen, the Rhine and the Seez. Pizol is located within the municipality. The village’s history, cultural sites and trails through varied landscapes give a stay in Mels a range of possible focuses.

The Mels Geotrail and trails through the landscape

The Mels Geotrail passes through the village centre and adjoining woodland. Along the route, more than 30 typical rock formations introduce visitors to the history of the Earth. The route is 6.1 kilometres long and takes about three and a half hours. It is therefore best viewed as a longer hiking route, rather than a short walk around the village. Local trail conditions may vary.

The Lake Chapfensee–Vermol circular trail also combines exercise with scenery: it passes through a nature reserve and unspoilt moorland to the Chapfenstein viewing platform. The Lake Chapfensee bike route starts and ends in Mels and passes through protected moorland around the lake. The described routes therefore take walkers and cyclists through different parts of the Lake Chapfensee landscape.

For a shorter route, there is the Sargans–Mels Wine Trail: it is 2.5 kilometres long and runs between the two towns through vineyards and meadows and along the edge of the forest. The routes each have a distinct focus: geology on the Mels Geotrail, moorland around Lake Chapfensee and vineyards on the Wine Trail.

Moorland and habitats

The nature reserve by Lake Chapfensee is known for its moors and their rare raised-bog plants. The entire Mels Hinterberg area contains extensive protected litter meadows with fens and raised bogs, as well as dry habitats of regional and national importance.

Another natural area is the network of streams in the intensively farmed Rheinau. These streams shape the landscape and are home to a richer and more diverse range of animal and plant life than the fast-flowing Rhine. Together with the adjoining floodplain woodland, they provide habitats for numerous rare and endangered breeding bird species. Nature and landscape enthusiasts will find a variety of topics here: moors, dry habitats, streams and bird habitats.

Village square, church and historic buildings

At the historic village square stands a decagonal natural-stone fountain dating from 1850. Closely spaced houses enclose the square, with lanes branching out from it. The Church of St Peter and St Paul and the rectory are both protected under federal heritage regulations. With 41 stops, the church has the largest organ in the Sargans district.

The history of Nidberg Castle goes back further: it originated as a 13th-century castle, which burned down in 1437 and was rebuilt as a country estate in 1565. In the hamlet of Butz, St Anthony’s Chapel houses frescoes by Ferdinand Gehr. The first carriage road to Vermol is noteworthy for its importance to transport and local history. Built in the 18th century, it is listed in the Swiss Inventory of Historic Roads because of its exceptionally good state of preservation. Mels was chosen as the site of the new Capuchin monastery in 1650.

Kohlschlag Alp and local traditions

Kohlschlag Alp is a destination for excursions, hiking and mountain biking; it has barbecue areas and a small alpine restaurant. Products include full-fat semi-hard alpine cheese, plain Mutschli cheese, herbs and spices, natural and fruit yoghurt, and alpine butter. The yoghurt is sold directly from the alp.

The annual descent from the alp is a recurring tradition that attracts many visitors. Alongside its historic buildings, Geotrail and varied landscape routes, Mels is a destination where nature and culture can be explored separately or combined during a stay.

Discover more destinations: Bad Ragaz, Flums, Pfäfers, Walenstadt, Quarten, Flumserberg, Vilters-Wangs, Vättis

Back to the main travel guide: Sarganserland.