Where the Rhine flows southwards from Lake Constance and rugged Alpine peaks meet gentle vineyards, you’ll embark on a varied multi-day hike in Eastern Switzerland. The 107-kilometre (66 mi) Rhine Valley High Trail (Rheintaler Höhenweg) runs directly along the flat valley floor and rises high above the border river, affording fantastic views of Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Austria. There are many castles and palaces along the way, demonstrating the historical significance of this region.

In this Collection, you’ll find the entire route divided into six stages. While the first 60 kilometres (37 mi) take you through a hilly landscape not far from the Rhine Valley, the final third takes you high up into an idyllic mountain and alpine landscape below the Alvier Group. Starting in Rorschach on Lake Constance, the Rhine Valley High Trail trail leads you through wide orchards and vineyards dotted with stately buildings not far from the Austrian border. From the heights, you’re treated to breathtaking views over the wide valley to the Alpine ridge.

Between the town of Altstätten and the municipality of Sennwald, you’ll pass the fascinating Kobelwald crystal cave, which takes you into a completely different world. On the fourth stage, you leave the Rhine plain and climb up to Wildhaus Pass. The landscape here becomes more alpine, with views of the Kreuzberg mountain and scattered alpine huts accompanying you over the 1,400 metre-high (4,593 ft) Ölberg to Berghaus Malbun. On the final stage, you descend into the Rhine Valley with epic three-country views to your final destination, Sargans.

You can easily reach the starting point of Rorschach by train or boat from Switzerland, Austria, Germany or Liechtenstein. The destination of Sargans is also well connected to the international rail and bus network. Things get more complicated when it comes to accommodation: In the stage towns of Berneck and Sennwald, there are only a few private accommodations on Airbnb, and hotels are a few kilometres away. In Altstätten, you have a small selection of accommodation options. Wildhaus is well-equipped with hotels and guesthouses and the fifth stage ends directly at Berghaus Malbun. Generally speaking, no alpine experience is necessary for the hike, but you’ll need plenty of stamina.

The different climate zones and landscapes are what make the Rhine Valley High Trail so exciting. The hike is particularly spectacular when the Foehn wind in autumn sharpens the views. Have fun.