Snowshoe Tour in Toggenburg: A Scenic Loop on the Sellamatt–Zinggen Trail

Winter stillness, the soft crunch of snowshoes in the powder snow, and the wide-open panorama of the Churfirsten shape the scenery on Alp Sellamatt on a perfect winter day. But even when the weather is less than ideal, the snowshoe hike on the Sellamatt-Zinggen Trail in Toggenburg offers an atmospheric winter experience with moderate effort. This well-marked loop trail begins above Alt St. Johann and leads through a peacefully wintry mountain landscape – ideal for anyone looking for an enjoyable snowshoe tour away from the hustle and bustle of major ski resorts.

Snowshoeing in wintry Toggenburg

We already knew while planning the tour that the panorama of the Churfirsten would probably remain hidden from us on this overcast day. Still, there was no way we were going to miss out on the wonderful fresh snow. As expected, Toggenburg welcomed us dressed in its finest winter coat.

At the base station of the Sellamatt cable car, the combined gondola and chairlift initially caused some confusion for us as first-time visitors. At first glance, it was not entirely clear why nobody was boarding the chairlifts – until we discovered the second boarding area reserved for skiers. Actually, it is a well-thought-out and versatile system. After just under ten minutes in the gondola, we reach Alp Sellamatt, the starting point of this snowshoe hike designed as a loop tour.

Following the Toggenburg Ridge Trail toward Lochhütte

We follow the pink signpost and walk through the wooden gate familiar to us from summer, which marks the beginning of the Toggenburg Ridge Trail. Even though the snowshoe trail follows parts of its route in places, this is not the same hiking trail in winter. The Sellamatt-Zinggen snowshoe trail is laid out as a separate winter route and signposted as Snowshoe Trail Route 721. The pink signposts mark the route reliably and guide you safely through terrain that takes on a character all its own beneath the thick blanket of snow.

For the first almost two kilometers, we follow the track gently uphill across the open plateau and watch as the fog slowly lifts, gradually revealing more and more of the winter landscape.

Open spruce forests with views of the Churfirsten

Shortly after Lochhütte, the first patch of blue appears in the sky, and further down the valley the imposing Wildhauser Schafberg comes into sunlight. Ahead of us lies a magical, deeply snow-covered spruce forest through which the trail gently winds its way. It is an especially beautiful section, made twice as delightful by the fresh snow.

With our snowshoes, we cross the panoramic cross-country ski trail and reach the highest point of the loop at Alp Langlitten. From here, the route descends across open alpine meadows and partially follows a track also used by ski tourers, leading into the small ski area on Alp Sellamatt. Shortly before the finish, the trail passes directly by the wooden hut of the Zinggen Pub. In good weather, the sunny terrace offers a magnificent view of the striking, jagged Churfirsten peaks.

Key facts about the Sellamatt-Zinggen snowshoe hike

The Sellamatt-Zinggen snowshoe trail starts at the Alp Sellamatt mountain station above Alt St. Johann and is signposted as Route 721. The pink signposts reliably mark the loop trail and make orientation easier even when visibility changes. Thanks to the clear signage, the tour is also well suited to first-time snowshoers with some initial mountain experience.

We completed the loop counterclockwise, which in my view is the recommended direction. That way, toward the end you pass directly by the Zinggen Pub in the middle of the Sellamatt ski area and can round off the tour comfortably. At the beginning, the route climbs gently across open alpine terrain before continuing into open woodland sections. Depending on snow conditions, the track may already be well established, but after heavy snowfall it can become considerably more strenuous.

Technically, the snowshoe tour is rated easy to moderate. The ascents are manageable and moderate, and there are no exposed sections or steep descents.

Starting point	Alp Sellamatt (4,560 ft)
Accessibility	accessible by public transportation
Length	5 kilometers
Elevation gain/loss	↗ 270 m ↘ 270 m
Duration	2:30 h
End point	Alp Sellamatt (4,560 ft)
Refreshment stop	Zinggen Pub and Berghotel Alp Sellmatt (open daily during the winter season)

Practical tips for your snowshoe hike in Toggenburg

• You can reach the Alp Sellamatt mountain station from Zurich in around two hours by train and bus. Depending on the connection, you change from the S-Bahn to the bus in either Wattwil or Nesslau. The base station of the Sellamatt cable car is only a short walk from the Alt St. Johann, Dorf bus stop.
• The Sellamatt cable car is a combination chairlift and gondola. As a snowshoer, you wait for a gondola, since the chairs are reserved for skiers.
• You can buy the ticket for the round trip («Churfirsten Ticket») either online or directly at the base station (regular price: CHF 29, with a Half Fare Travelcard or GA Travelcard you get a 50% discount)
• For the roughly five-kilometer loop, you should allow about three to three and a half hours including breaks. Pure walking time is about two and a half hours, depending on snow conditions and your personal pace. After fresh snowfall, the track may be more demanding and therefore take more time.
• The winter season generally lasts from December until the end of March or beginning of April, depending on snow and weather conditions. You can find the current operating hours on the Alp Sellamatt website.
• If you prefer to explore without snowshoes, Alp Sellamatt offers attractive alternatives. The groomed Toggenburg Legends Trail provides an atmospheric winter hiking experience through the snow-covered landscape. Cross-country ski enthusiasts will also find plenty to enjoy in Toggenburg: around Alt St. Johann and Unterwasser, there are varied trails for both classic style and skating. Especially appealing is the panoramic Alp Sellamatt trail, which intersects with the Sellamatt-Zinggen snowshoe trail in some sections.