Ellhorn, Mountain summit in Fläsch, Switzerland

Ellhorn is a mountain summit in the Rätikon range that rises to 758 meters above the surrounding landscape. Its slopes are densely forested with varied terrain throughout the ascent.

The Ellhorn belonged to the Liechtenstein municipality of Balzers until 1948, when Switzerland acquired it through a land exchange to secure the Sargans fortress. The Swiss Army immediately built an infantry bunker (A 6229) and a combat cavern (A 6224) on the summit. From 1940 to 1985 it also operated the Tschingel artillery works east of the mountain. In 1755 a raft carrying about 100 recruits to Dutch service sank at the Ellhorn, killing all aboard.

A local legend tells of a dragon that ruled over the Alpine Rhine from the Ellhorn. In the Diebsloch, called Diabalöcher in the local dialect, smugglers and thieves were said to hide from the people of Balzers; the spot lies in the southern part of the mountain, exposed and hard to reach.

A circular hiking trail of about 8 kilometers starts from Grotto Fläscher Bad with free parking at the trailhead. The route passes through different elevations and suits hikers with moderate fitness levels.

From different elevations on the mountain, hikers gain views of both the St. Galler Rheintal valley and the Rhine River itself. These shifting perspectives make the route especially rewarding for those wanting to see the landscape from multiple angles.