Rorschach–Heiden Mountain Railway – Fünfländerblick Viewpoint loop from Heiden
Rorschach–Heiden Mountain Railway – Fünfländerblick Viewpoint loop from Heiden
4.7
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hikers
Rorschach–Heiden Mountain Railway – Fünfländerblick Viewpoint loop from Heiden
02:19
7.91km
210m
Hiking
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: June 10, 2026
Waypoints
Start point
Train Station
Get Directions
85 m
Rorschach–Heiden Mountain Railway
Highlight • Structure
Translated by Google •
Tip by
365 m
Heiden Town Hall
Highlight • Monument
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Tip by
1.73 km
Albrecht von Graefe Memorial
Highlight • Monument
Medically, von Graefe is considered the true founder of the field of ophthalmology. In 1866, himself the son of an ophthalmologist, he became director of the ophthalmology department at the Charité in Berlin. He invented iridectomy for the treatment of glaucoma, and various other technical terms bear his name, such as Graefe's syndrome, Graefe's spot, or Graefe's reflex. His surgical skill was legendary, his creativity immense.
Graefe studied medicine, mathematics, physics, and chemistry in Berlin. He wrote his dissertation in Latin in 1847. Afterwards, he was an assistant physician in Prague, where he began to dedicate himself entirely to ophthalmology.
He continued his studies in Paris, Vienna, and London and returned to Berlin in 1852, where he completed his habilitation and opened a private eye clinic with 120 beds, which soon enjoyed worldwide fame in both practice and research. Graefe was exceptionally socially minded in his treatment, making no distinction based on social class – not least for this reason, his student Julius Hirschberg called him an "apostle of suffering humanity" in an obituary.
Two years later, in 1854, he founded the first ophthalmological journal, the "Archiv für Ophthalmologie." In 1866, Graefe became director of the ophthalmology department at the Charité and was particularly successful in treating glaucoma and strabismus. He is said to have performed more than 10,000 eye operations. Various technical terms bear the name of the physician, such as "Graefe's syndrome," "Graefe's spot," or "Graefe's reflex." The consistent use of the ophthalmoscope developed by Helmholtz also goes back to Graefe.
In 1851, Albrecht von Graefe came to Heiden for the first time; the young Berlin doctor had tuberculosis and wanted to benefit from the high-altitude climate. From 1860 onwards, he settled in Heiden every summer, operated at the «Freihof», and initiated the construction of a new spa hotel because his skill attracted so many patients that the hotel capacities were quickly insufficient. Whey cures and eye medicine helped the town to flourish, a prosperity that is still visible in the village today.
von Graefe died in 1870 at the young age of 42 from pulmonary tuberculosis.
Text / Source: Heiden Municipal Administration, Kirchplatz 6 / Postfach 64, 9410 Heiden
heiden.ch/geschichte/13103
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1.98 km
Waldpark Heiden
Highlight • Rest Area
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3.74 km
View of Grub
Highlight • Viewpoint
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3.97 km
Maria Lourdes Chapel Rossbüchel
Highlight • Religious Site
In 1892 a Lourdes chapel was built on the ridge by order of Klara Bischof.
A chapel in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes has stood on the ridge of the Rossbüchel for over 100 years. The chapel was built by the pious virgin Klara Bishop, who came from a family of roofers and is therefore generally known as "Deckers Klara". Klara Bischof visited the Lourdes Chapel in Altenstadt on a pilgrimage to Rankweil. The idea occurred to her to build a chapel in Grub as a thank you for the health regained in Lourdes. Difficulties arose from all sides in carrying out the plan. The church administration feared impairment of church attendance and thus a reduction in income from sacrifices for the church. But there were enough people who encouraged Klara Bischof to do what she wanted. On January 25, 1892, she was able to acquire the necessary land at a cheap price at the height of the Rossbüchel. The material transport began after a few days. 180 loads of bricks were broken and raised. Construction began on March 23 and was completed at the end of June. Glockengiesser Egger in Staad gave the little bell, which was brought to Grub on a richly decorated handcart, was consecrated on June 16 and heard its voice for the first time on June 18. Egger also donated a cross and button for the little tower. The Lourdes statue came from Val Gardena in Tyrol on March 11th and only found accommodation in the house of Klara Bishop. On August 6th, the two statues Maria and Bernadette were ceremoniously transferred to the chapel. The festive day of the chapel consecration was the feast day of the Assumption of Mary on August 15, 1892.
Ext / source: eggersriet.ch
eggersriet.ch/de/aktuellesportrait/portrait/geschichte/welcome.php?action=showinfo&info_id=7348
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4.06 km
Fünfländerblick Viewpoint
Highlight • Viewpoint
On the Fünfländerblick, the view is fantastic. The Fünfländerblick owes its name to the view of Switzerland, Austria, and the formerly independent German states of Bavaria, Württemberg, and Baden.
Text / Source: St.Gallen-Bodensee Tourismus, Bankgasse 9, St.Gallen
st.gallen-bodensee.ch/de/map/poi/funflanderblick-ac477623-0957-4a92-bf9c-9bd555970463.html
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Tip by
6.68 km
Hüslibrugg Covered Wooden Bridge
Highlight • Bridge
Wooden bridge over the Heidenbach
Built in June 1996
By the Vorderland AR civil protection organization
And the local tradesman.
On behalf of the Heiden spa association.
Supported by the municipality of Heiden
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7.91 km
End point
Train Station
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
3.23 km
2.85 km
749 m
687 m
376 m
Surfaces
2.36 km
2.03 km
1.33 km
1.15 km
938 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
Highest point (880 m)
Lowest point (740 m)
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Weather
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Monday 22 June
29°C
18°C
16 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 10.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
Comments
Very nice tour from Heiden.
The ride on the cog railway from Rorschach to Heiden was fantastic. Highly recommended.
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