UNESCO World Heritage Tectonic Arena Sardona

Where the mountains are upside down

Alpine folding UNESCO Tectonic Arena Sardona

Hike, UNESCO World Natural Heritage Tectonic Arena Sardona, children, Seebensee, fossils, mountains, Sardona, geology, family excursion, Seebenalp, hiking, Alps, geogallery, Alpine folding, Maschgenkamm

Insights into the formation of the Alps

Nowhere else in the world are the processes of mountain formation more visible in the terrain than in the area around Piz Sardona in the border region between the cantons of St. Gallen, Glarus and Graubünden. Along the line visible from afar, the Glarus Thrust, 270 million year old rocks were pushed over a distance of 35 kilometers onto "only" 40 million year old rocks. Reason enough for the Tectonic Arena Sardona to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site today.

The Alps and Africa

How exactly did the mountains that characterize the Swiss landscape come about? Despite their fame, we know very little about this. One thing is certain: The Alps are a huge crumple zone that was formed when the two continents of Europe and Africa collided over 100 million years ago. A short film illustrates the various processes that ultimately formed our mountains.

Top hikes in the World Heritage Site

The Sardona Tectonic Arena runs right through the middle of the Heidiland vacation region. The best way to explore the individual hotspots of the UNESCO World Heritage Site is in hiking boots.

Experience tips in the World Heritage Site

Would you like to explore the Sardona Tectonic Arena on your own? Here you will find tips for your local experience.

Tamina Gorge

Sardona World Heritage Visitor Center

Exterior view of the UNESCO World Heritage Visitor Center in Vättis

Dragon Hole Museum

Windegg viewing platform

Geo-Guides

App Sardona Active

All experience tips in the World Heritage Site

Experience nature, Altes Bad Pfäfers, Tamina Gorge, Pfäfers, Bad Ragaz

World Heritage areas

Murg

Murgsee area

The Murgsee area in the Sardona Tectonic Arena offers impressive geological formations and extensive pine forests. The landscape was heavily shaped by glaciers and is a UNESCO spot.

Flumserberg Tannenbodenalp

Flumserberg area

The Flumserberg area offers a fascinating landscape with intensively folded Lias rock layers and fossils. The moraines and old streams on Fursch are particularly visible in the evening light. With its gypsum and dolomite layers, Wissmeilen is reminiscent of a lunar landscape.

White firs

Foostock and Foopass area

The Foostock and Foopass area offers an impressive view of Piz Sardona, Piz Segnes and the Tschingelhörner. The Glarus Thrust is particularly visible here, making it a popular destination for geology enthusiasts.

Wangs

Pizol area

The Pizol area offers the easternmost outcrops of the Glarus Verrucano and the Glarus Thrust. The Pizol glacier is suffering from rising temperatures, but older glacier traces are well preserved in the Wildsee area.

Vättis

Chrüzbachtobel area

The Chrüzbachtobel area near Vättis is a geological window with exposed bedrock. Cave bear bones dating back 53,000 years were discovered here. A complete layer profile from the Triassic to the Tertiary period is visible.

Vättis

Sardona-Segnas Group area

The Sardona-Segnas Group area in the border region between the cantons of St. Gallen, Glarus and Graubünden is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tectonic Arena Sardona. Impressive geological formations such as Verrucano rocks and glacial moraines can be discovered here.

Offers

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Culinary panoramic high-altitude trail in the Unesco World Heritage Site

This culinary tour takes you to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tectonic Arena Sardona. Nowhere else can you see the formation of the Alps so clearly. Two culinary stops await you along the way.

CHF

56.00

Culinary hike "5-Lakes Picnic Pizol"

Combine the famous 5-lake hike on the Pizol with a picnic prepared especially for you. You will receive a rucksack filled with regional delicacies.

CHF

90.00

Culinary hike "Garmil high-altitude hike"

Study alpine education, enjoy the panoramic view over Sarganserland and enjoy regional specialties from your picnic rucksack at the summit cross. Let yourself be surprised by the culinary hike to the "Garmil".

CHF

90.00

Culinary hike "Höhen-Route Flumserberg"

This culinary tour takes you high up and offers a rapid descent: You enjoy your starter at 2020 meters. After the main course, you ride down the toboggan run, where dessert awaits you.

CHF

71.00

Culinary hike "Panorama route Flumserberg"

Enjoy a culinary hike with spectacular views on the Flumserberg, where you hike from course to course through the alpine landscape and discover three delicacies along the way.

CHF

71.00

Public guided tour of Tamina Gorge and Old Bath Pfäfers

Have you always wanted to find out more about the origins of the thermal spring, the fascinating history of the centuries-old bathing culture and the Baroque baths? Then take part in an expert guided tour and marvel at where the 36.5° C warm thermal water comes from.

CHF

25.00

Wildlife watching bearded vultures and golden eagles

Accompany an experienced Swiss Ranger on a wildlife observation tour through the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tectonic Arena Sardona. On this tour, you will have the opportunity to observe bearded vultures and golden eagles in their natural habitat and learn exciting facts.

CHF

50.00

Wildlife watching Marmot

Go on a guided hike on the Flumserberg and observe marmots in their natural habitat against the impressive backdrop of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tectonic Arena Sardona. Listen to their calls, learn exciting facts about their behavior and observe them up close.

CHF

35.00

Wildlife watching Ibex, deer, chamois and co.

During the one-day ibex tour, you will get to know the realm of ibex and co. A Swiss Ranger will guide you through the secluded Weisstannental valley. He will provide you with exciting information about the life of wild animals and help you to spot them.

CHF

65.00