Hirschensprung

Hirschensprung is a rocky gorge in the Rhine Valley (Alpenrheintal), right next to the hamlet of Kobelwald in the municipality of Oberriet, in the canton of St. Gallen. The gorge splits the Blattenberg hill from Bismer and has for centuries been the only convenient passage along the Swiss (left) bank of the Rhine between Oberriet and Rüthi. Today it makes for an easy half-day outing, pairing a short walk full of local history with a small, low-key climbing garden.

How do you get to Hirschensprung?

Main Road 13 runs straight through the gorge, connecting Oberriet and Rüthi, so arriving by car or bike is straightforward and well signposted. Coming from Kobelwald, you'll pass the Kristallhöhle Kobelwald (Crystal Cave) on the way, making it easy to combine both stops into a single trip. To reach the climbing garden, turn off about 120 metres north of the Freienbach/Rehag junction, where a small concrete bridge crosses east onto a forest track. Park near the roof of the former quarry silo, then follow a steep footpath fitted with handholds for a few minutes up to the fire pit and the rock face.

What will you see in the gorge?

The highest point of the pass, at Rehag, sits at 447 metres above sea level, with the road descending from there to around 426 metres. The rock walls are checked regularly for rockfall risk, and the gorge itself is fitted with floodlights, so it stays safe to pass through after dark — the old military checkpoint that once stood here has since been removed. At the lower end of the gorge lies a small hamlet that took its name from the pass itself: Hirschensprung.

The name refers to a local legend about a deer that, fleeing hunters, is said to have cleared the chasm in one bold leap — literally the "deer's jump." The image even made its way onto the coat of arms of the municipality of Rüthi. Historically, the gorge was far more than a scenic cut: in the early Middle Ages it marked the boundary with Churrätien, as well as a language border between the German-speaking north and the Rhaeto-Romance-speaking south. A Neolithic burial site was also found nearby, evidence that people have used this passage for thousands of years. It wasn't until the Rhine was regulated in the early 20th century that a railway and road could finally be built along the opposite, eastern bank.

What else is there to do at Hirschensprung?

A small climbing garden operates in a former railway-ballast quarry right beside the gorge. Expect small-hold and slab climbing on routes that see relatively little traffic, which keeps the rock in good condition with minimal wear. A fire pit near the rock face makes it a good spot to unwind after a climbing session. In 2020, mountain guide Dominik Suntinger from Balgach restored the garden, replacing worn or corroded bolts and clearing loose rock debris from the wall, leaving the area noticeably safer than it was just a few years earlier.

When is the best time to visit Hirschensprung?

Spring and summer are the best seasons, when the days are longer and the rock face gets good sun, ideal for both climbing and a relaxed walk with a fire. In autumn, it's worth waiting for dry weather, since the path up to the climbing garden can get slippery when wet. Because the main road through the gorge is lit at night, driving through is possible year-round, at any hour.

Frequently asked questions

Is Hirschensprung suitable for beginner climbers? Yes, the climbing garden mainly offers small-hold and slab routes, making it a good warm-up area before tackling harder terrain elsewhere in the Appenzell Alps.

Is there anything else worth seeing nearby? Yes — coming from Kobelwald, it's worth stopping at the Kristallhöhle Kobelwald, a small crystal cave that combines easily with a visit to Hirschensprung in a single trip.

Where does the name Hirschensprung come from? It comes from a legend about a deer that leapt across the gorge to escape hunters — an image that now appears on the coat of arms of the municipality of Rüthi.

Is it easy to reach without a car? Main Road 13 runs directly through the gorge between Oberriet and Rüthi, so the area is also accessible to cyclists and walkers following that route.