Pizol Mountain
Alpine mountain in St. Gallen popular for hiking
Pizol in St. Gallen offers the well‑known five‑lakes hiking circuit, alpine meadows and winter ski slopes, with mountain huts and cableways supporting day trips.
Pizol at a Glance#
Address: Pizol, Canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland
About Pizol#
Pizol is a mountain in the Glarus Alps within the Canton of St. Gallen in eastern Switzerland, with a summit elevation of 2,844 meters. It is a recognised destination for alpine hiking, panoramic viewpoints and seasonal mountain sports.
One of the best-known attractions is the Pizol five-lake hike, a high-altitude route that links a sequence of alpine lakes and offers waterfalls, rocky ridges and panoramic views; the full route is typically done as a day hike by fit walkers. The mountain also supports winter sports and seasonal lift access in the local ski area, with mountain huts and marked trails for walkers.
The summit and surrounding ridges provide wide views across the Glarus Alps and into neighbouring cantons, making Pizol a popular local peak for both day hikers and more committed mountaineers depending on conditions.
Pizol is part of the alpine range long used for pastoralism, local mountain travel and, in the 20th century, recreational hiking and skiing as mountain tourism developed in eastern Switzerland. Infrastructure such as lifts and marked trails were added to support recreational use.
The mountain lies in the canton of St. Gallen in the Glarus Alps, near villages such as Wangs and the spa town areas of eastern Switzerland, within easy reach of regional road networks and alpine access points.
- Elevation and hiking highlight: Pizol reaches an elevation of 2,844 meters and is a focal point for alpine hiking and a well known five-lake hiking route.
- Trail conditions: Trails include steep sections and exposed paths; proper mountain footwear and weather awareness are advised for summer hikes and winter activities.
What to See#
- Five-lake hike: The five-lake hiking loop links a sequence of high-altitude mountain lakes with marked trails and panoramic viewpoints over the eastern Glarus Alps.
- Summit and ski facilities: The summit ridge and ski terrain are served seasonally by lifts and mountain huts for walkers and winter sports users.
How to Get to Pizol#
Pizol is accessible from the St. Gallen region. The nearest main transport hub is Bad Ragaz; from there local buses and cable cars (seasonal) connect to trailheads. Driving routes are well signposted; park-and-hike options exist at official trailheads.
Tips for Visiting Pizol#
- Take the Pizol Höhenweg (high-altitude trail) in summer for a concise loop with lakes and glacier views - planned as a single day's hike with alpine terrain.
- If visiting for hut-to-hut trekking, book alpine huts in advance and plan for rapid weather shifts typical of the Eastern Alps.
- Check the ski-lift schedules in winter months; lifts change seasonally and some access routes close in winter for avalanche safety.
Best Time to Visit Pizol#
Summer for hiking and alpine lakes; winter for snow sports with attention to lift and avalanche conditions.
Weather & Climate near Pizol#
Pizol's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -11°C to 8°C. Heavy rainfall (2044 mm/year), wettest in July, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -11° - -5° | -15° | 164 mm | partly cloudy | 89% | 6.0 m/s | 0.2 low | 8.9h |
| February | Poor | -11° - -6° | -16° | 144 mm | partly cloudy | 90% | 5.8 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.2h |
| March | Poor | -10° - -4° | -14° | 161 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 5.5 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Poor | -8° - -3° | -11° | 167 mm | overcast | 80% | 5.0 m/s | 1.0 high | 13.4h |
| May | Poor | -3° - 2° | -5° | 146 mm | overcast | 79% | 4.5 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.8h |
| June | Poor | 0° - 5° | -1° | 189 mm | overcast | 79% | 4.2 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.6h |
| July | Poor | 2° - 8° | 2° | 213 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 4.3 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.2h |
| August | Poor | 3° - 8° | 3° | 197 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.9 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.0h |
| September | Poor | 0° - 6° | -1° | 167 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 4.5 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Poor | -2° - 3° | -5° | 149 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 5.0 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | -7° - -2° | -11° | 170 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 5.8 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| December | Poor | -9° - -4° | -14° | 177 mm | partly cloudy | 88% | 6.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.5h |
