recommended route
Heart Route – stage 13: Altstätten-Rorschach
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/ Badhütte Rorschach VelotourPhoto: St.Gallen-Bodensee Tourismus, Mattias Nutt Photography -
/ Stiftsbezirk St.GallenPhoto: St.Gallen-Bodensee Tourismus, Kurzschuss
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/ Kornhaus RorschachPhoto: St.Gallen-Bodensee Tourismus, St.Gallen-Bodensee Tourismus
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/ AltstättenPhoto: St.Gallen-Bodensee Tourismus, St.Gallen-Bodensee Tourismus
From west to east, from Lake Geneva to Lake Constance – the entire distance by bike: the Herzroute, or Heart Route, aims to acquaint tourists with Switzerland as a paradise for biking.
The last stage begins in the romantic wine-growing town of Altstätten. But you’re going to have to pedal hard to get here. But once you make it, high above on the 1,100 metre high St.Anton mountain, cyclists have a spectacular view of the St.Gallen Rhine Valley. Now the journey continues down to Walzenhausen. The view is still fantastic on the way down, just the landscape is different: instead of the Rhine Valley, cyclists have a spectacular view of Lake Constance, Germany and Austria. And soon of the historic Kornhaus, or granary, Rorschach's landmark. This is where the Herzroute ends in the pretty little harbour town in the southernmost bay of Lake Constance. But this doesn’t mean that your stay in the St.Gallen-Lake Constance region should also come to an end. With its historic wooden bathhouse and enormous sand sculptures, Rorschach enchants tourists and locals alike every year. The nearby UNESCO World Cultural Heritage city of St.Gallen – the capital of Eastern Switzerland – with its world-famous Abbey Library and Baroque cathedral is also worth a visit.
Author’s recommendation
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Note
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Direct trains run 3 times an hour from St.Gallen to Altstätten. (S2/S4/RE)Getting there
From St.Gallen in the direction of Teufen, section of “Grand Tour of Switzerland” to Gais via Stoos to Altstätten.Parking
The city of Altstätten is divided into several parking zones.
Parking zone 1: Areas in the old town, max. 2 hours (approx. 125 parking spaces; Gemüsemarkt, Obergasse, Marktgasse, Kirchplatz, etc.)
Parking zone 2: Areas in the immediate vicinity of the old town, max. 48 hours (approx. 215 parking spaces; Hintergärten, Breite, Kleinviehhalle, Heidenerstrasse, Bildstrasse, etc.)
Parking zone area of the train station, max. 7 days (special zone SBB train station)
Rathaus (city hall) car park (approx. 90 parking spaces for short-term parking)
Parking is free of charge at the Stossplatz and the GESA sports centre, Tennishalle and Grüntal (football field).
Coordinates
Equipment
Basic Equipment for Bike Riding
- Cycling helmet
- Cycling gloves
- Sturdy, comfortable and preferably waterproof footwear
- Layered, moisture wicking clothing
- Rucksack (with rain cover)
- Protection against sun, rain and wind (hat, sunscreen, water- and windproof jacket)
- Sunglasses
- Ample supply of drinking water and snacks
- Cell phone
- Cash
- Navigation equipment / map and compass
Technical Equipment for Bike Riding
- Air pump or CO2 pump including cartridges
- Puncture repair kit
- Replacement inner tube
- Tire levers
- Chain tool
- Hex keys
- Phone / device holder as required
- Bike lock as required
- Where applicable, the bike must meet requirements for road use by having a bell, front and rear lamps and spoke reflectors
- The 'basic' and 'technical' equipment lists are generated based on the selected activity. They are not exhaustive and only serve as suggestions for what you should consider packing.
- For your safety, you should carefully read all instructions on how to properly use and maintain your equipment.
- Please ensure that the equipment you bring complies with local laws and does not include restricted items.
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