Nestled in the picturesque Canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland, the Seerenbach Falls hike offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and adventure. This stunning journey takes you from the charming village of Weesen to the majestic Seerenbach Falls. This leisurely day trip took my husband and me between 3.5-4 hours.
The Boat Journey from Weesen to Betlis
Our adventure started with a scenic boat ride from Weesen to Betlis. The ferry takes approximately 20 minutes to cross the crystal-clear waters of Walensee. Check the website for the boat timetable as there are not many trips per day.
Once on the boat, the staff will come around the ship, and groups can purchase their tickets by cash, card, or TWINT. The boat does not accept Swiss Travel Pass or Half-Fare cards for a discount. Children under the age of 6 travel for free. There is also an indoor seating area where snacks can be purchased. There is a ramp to get on and off the boat, so it would be stroller accessible.
Hiking to Seerenbach Falls
From Betlis, follow the well-marked trail towards Seerenbach Falls. The hike is on a slight incline mainly on a paved path. It is relatively easy, but there are some rocky uneven sections, so not stroller accessible. Make sure to wear sturdy shoes and bring water. As you walk, you will be treated to views of wildflowers, cows, charming rustic farmhouses, and stunning panoramic views of Walensee. Be Aware that some of the fencing is electric.
After about 40 minutes from the dock, you’ll reach the falls. Seerenbach Falls, with its three cascading tiers, is a true natural wonder. Dropping a total of 585 meters, it’s among the highest waterfalls in Switzerland. The sight of water plummeting down the rugged cliffs is both awe-inspiring and tranquil. There is a simple railing at the viewing area with a steep drop off, so just be aware. There’s a short detour that leads you up close to the waterfall, offering a spectacular view and a chance to feel the mist on your face. However, this section was closed during our visit, possibly due to recent rain.
Chapel Betlis
After enjoying the falls, begin your walk back to Weesen. Along the trail is the beautiful Chapel Betlis, which was rebuilt in 1889. This beautiful little church overlooks the mountains and Walensee. At this quiet spot, there are benches on the side of the chapel facing the lake. We enjoyed a lovely picnic here while taking in the view and watching the donkeys grazing in the field.
Kids Treasure Hunt
Keep an eye out for eight hidden treasure chests along the trail with puzzles for children to solve. We saw a few of the chests on the hike, but since we didn’t have the kids, we didn’t complete the treasure hunt. The puzzles have two degrees of difficulty, so children between 5-12 could participate. The puzzle books can be found at Restaurant Burg-Strahlegg, and the website says the hike should take about 2 hours.
Castle Strahlegg
Along the trail, you will also see the ruins of Castle Strahlegg. It is suspected that the watchtower was built by the Romans in the 1st century BC, and expanded to a castle in the medieval ages. To see the castle, take a short detour from the main path.
Restaurant Burg-Strahlegg
Close to the Betlis boat dock and on the trail back to Weesen is Restaurant Burg-Strahlegg. This quick-service restaurant serves simple meals (sausage), ice cream, snacks, and drinks. Order at the walk-up window, and there are several outdoor tables to sit and relax. It is a great family-friendly spot with a small playground. There are also views of the cows in the green fields and the lake.
Journey Back to Weesen
There is a one-way road from Weesen to Betlis with a small amount of parking spaces at the restaurant. The road is tight and carved through the mountain. There is no guarantee there will be parking in Betlis. The access to roads is controlled by traffic lights, so you have to time it perfectly. Boat or by foot is the easiest method.
We chose to walk back from Betlis to Weesen. The trail leads you through more beautiful landscapes, offering different perspectives of the lake and mountains. We really enjoyed the cave lookouts onto the lake and surrounding mountains. The total walking time from Betlis to Weesen is about an hour.
Parking and Transit
There are two parking lots next to the Weesen dock, but you can only park for 3 hours. We chose to park further away at “Parkplatz Weesen Speerplatz” so we did not have to be rushed. Another great option is “Parkplatz Amden,” which is on the walk back from Betlis. This is a smaller area, so the spots fill quickly on beautiful weekends. There is also access to the lake for swimming and a quick-service restaurant open on warm sunny days.
This Seerenbach Falls hike is a perfect day trip, offering a wonderful blend of boat ride, hiking, and natural wonders. It’s an experience that showcases the best of Switzerland’s outdoor beauty and is sure to leave you with lasting memories.