Some places don’t shout for attention. They simply appear at the right moment and quietly say: you should come here.
That’s exactly how the Voralpsee entered my radar. A colleague once sent me a photo of this lake, and I instantly knew I wanted to make time to discover it myself. When I finally visited in summer, it turned out to be just as calm and understated as I’d hoped.
The Voralpsee lies at an elevation of 1,123 meters above sea level in the Obertoggenburg, nestled between the Churfirsten and the Alvier range. Surrounded by fir forests, alpine meadows, and impressive mountain scenery, it feels like a place where time naturally slows down.
What makes it even better? It’s a true hidden gem—perfect for anyone looking to experience Switzerland off the beaten path. If you love beautiful mountain lakes but want to avoid the crowds, or if you’re searching for a peaceful spot that’s easy to reach on a simple, gentle hike, Voralpsee is a wonderful choice. It’s also easily accessible by public transport, followed by a short walk—no rush, no stress, just nature and space to breathe.
Exactly the kind of place I love to explore.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to get to Voralpsee, what the hike around the lake is like, and where to eat nearby after your visit.
How to get to the Voralpsee
One of the things I really appreciated about this trip: you can get to the Voralpsee entirely by public transport.
I took the train from Zurich to Buchs SG. From there, I hopped on a bus to Grabs, Post, and then changed to bus 412 towards Grabserberg, Höhi.
The bus drops you right at the Voralpsee parking area.
Depending on connections, the total travel time is around 2 hours 45 minutes to just over 3 hours—perfectly doable for a day trip if you enjoy slow travel and watching the scenery change outside the window.
Easy Walk Down to the Lake
From the bus stop and parking area, it’s an easy walk of about 700 meters (just over 10 minutes) down to the lake. Nothing strenuous at all.
I started at the bus stop, walked down through the parking area, and then followed the gravel road gently downhill toward the lake. After a short while, the path leads into a forest, which you walk through for a few peaceful minutes.
As you emerge from the trees, you arrive right by the lake café called Grillhüsli-Kiosk with a lovely view over the water. They sell snacks, ice cream, and simple hot meals. I stopped there for my morning coffee and took my time soaking it all in.
If you’re planning a barbecue at one of the picnic spots around the lake, you can also buy firewood here for CHF 9. There’s a free public toilet as well, which is always good to know.
Walking Around the Voralpsee
Once you arrive at the Voralpsee, do yourself a favor and take the time to walk all the way around it. The loop is about 2 km in total, very easy, and absolutely worth it.
You can go either way around the lake. I chose to walk counterclockwise. On one side, the path is a dirt road for a while, while on the other it turns into a narrow footpath.
Along the way, I passed quite a few people fishing and ended up chatting with a small group. They told me they had bought their fishing license at Restaurant Voralp, although licenses can also be purchased at other locations or online. A day license costs CHF 45. When I asked what kind of fish live in the lake, they mentioned char (in German: Saiblinge) and trout (in German: Forellen). I’ll link the official information on where to get the fishing license here in case you’re interested.
At one point, near the far end of the lake, I briefly left the main path and followed a small footpath through the deep grass that led down toward the water. Along the way, I noticed butterflies fluttering past, bees moving from flower to flower, and colorful alpine blooms growing all around me.
The trail eventually ended, but it felt like the perfect excuse to stop.
I sat down on a rock overlooking the lake and simply stayed there for a while—watching, listening, and soaking in the quiet. These are the moments I love most.
Back on the main loop, I later took a slightly higher path through the forest.
It led me through a beautiful, almost magical stretch of trees and over a small bridge.
Eventually, I felt like cooling off and headed back down toward the lake. There’s a wooden platform that makes getting into the water really easy. The swim was incredibly refreshing. There’s also a wooden float further out in the lake, which I swam out to and then stretched out on in the sun for a good 20 minutes before slowly swimming back to shore.
If you’re visiting on a warm summer day like I did, definitely bring your swimsuit. A dip in the Voralpsee is pure bliss.
Hiking Uphill to Berggasthaus Voralp
After drying off in the sun, I continued my walk through the forest back to the Grillhüsli café —but instead of heading straight back on the dirt road toward the parking area, I eventually turned left and followed the signs up to Berggasthaus Voralp, a mountain inn.
The trail leads uphill through a beautiful alpine meadow, complete with cows and plenty of tiny creatures going about their day.
I came across several small toads along the path and couldn’t help stopping to watch them for a bit—carefully making sure not to step on any of them. Moments like these remind me why I love being out in nature so much.
After about 10-15 minutes of walking I reached the restaurant of the Mountain Inn and stopped for a drink on the terrace. Another perfect place to pause, breathe, and take in the scenery before slowly making my way back on the main road toward the parking lot of Grabser Höhi.
A Cheese Dairy and a Very Persuasive Dog
By the time I reached Grabser Höhi, I was starting to feel hungry, so I decided to stop at the alpine cheese dairy, Alpsennerei Höhi-Voralp — and I’m very glad I did. The owners invited me to taste some of their cheese, and it was so good that I couldn’t resist sitting down for a cheese platter and a drink. Naturally, I also bought a slice to take home with me.
I ate in the company of the owner’s dog, who was very politely (and persistently) asking me to share. Which, naturally, I did.
Best Time to Visit Voralpsee
The Voralpsee is best visited from late spring to mid-October, when the paths are usually snow-free and the surrounding meadows are green and inviting. Summer is especially beautiful if you enjoy swimming in mountain lakes, relaxed walks, and long, slow days outdoors. Early autumn has its own charm too, with softer light, fewer people, and that calm, in-between-season feeling I love so much.
From a practical perspective, this is also the best time to visit. The bus runs during this period, and both Restaurant Voralp and the Grillhüsli-Kiosk by the lake are typically open from mid-May to mid-October, weather permitting. The Alpsennerei Höhi-Voralp (alpine cheese dairy) operates during the summer months.
Where to Eat at Voralpsee
If you like keeping things simple and close to nature, you’ll feel right at home here. There are plenty of picnic spots scattered around the Voralpsee, complete with wooden tables and fire pits—perfect if you want to bring your own food or light a small barbecue.
Right by the lake, you’ll find the Grillhüsli-Kiosk, which I mentioned earlier. It’s a great stop for a coffee, a snack, or a simple hot meal, especially if you don’t feel like carrying food with you. When I visited, they only accepted cash, so it’s a good idea to bring some with you. Sitting there, looking out over the water, was a lovely way to watch the day begin.
Near the parking area and bus stop, there’s also the Alpsennerei Höhi-Voralp, an alpine cheese dairy that processes the milk from the surrounding alpine pastures into cheese between May and September. That’s the place where I stopped to eat a cheese platter.
In the small shop, you can buy local specialties like Grabser Alpkäse, Voralpmutschli, and other dairy products. You can also eat something small on site—think a cheese platter, a slice of cake, or a refreshing ice cream. If you’re visiting with a group, the dairy can even be visited by appointment.
And good to know: there’s a free public toilet here as well—always a welcome detail when you’re out and about for the day.
If you’re looking for a proper sit-down meal, the Berggasthaus Voralp is a great option. This restaurant is open during the summer season and has a beautiful outdoor terrace—an ideal place to relax.
Staying Overnight: The Voralp Mountain Inn (Berggasthaus Voralp)
If you feel like stretching your visit and spending a night in the mountains, the Berggasthaus Voralp is a lovely option. Built in 1908 as a Kurhaus, the guesthouse sits at 1,200 meters above sea level, just a short walk from the Voralpsee.
The house offers around 30 simple, cozy rooms—single, double, and shared rooms—with shared showers and toilets on each floor. Nothing fancy, but warm, welcoming, and exactly what you’d want after a day spent outside. I imagine evenings here to be wonderfully quiet, with fresh mountain air drifting through open windows and nothing on the agenda except resting and recharging.
A nearby gem: Chäserrugg
If you have a bit more time in the region, I highly recommend adding a visit to Chäserrugg. It’s not far from the Voralpsee and offers a completely different perspective. From up there, you can actually look down toward the Voralpsee, seeing it nestled quietly in the landscape below. The contrast between the wide, open views from Chäserrugg and the intimate, peaceful atmosphere around the lake is really special—and well worth experiencing.
Final Thoughts
The Voralpsee is one of those places that doesn’t try to impress, and that’s exactly what makes it so special. It’s calm, accessible, and wonderfully unspoiled—a perfect destination if you’re looking to slow down, breathe deeply, and spend time in nature without crowds or complications.
Whether you come for a gentle walk around the lake, a refreshing swim on a warm summer day, a night at the Berggasthaus, or combine it with a visit to nearby Chäserrugg, the Voralpsee is the kind of place that stays with you. Quietly. In the best possible way.
