Schwabenweg: Alternative Fischingen bis Rapperwil via Hulftegg

Step: Inn

Since the direct route over the Hörnli is not passable for wagons, it was probably only ever used as a footpath. It is marked as the Swabian Way for foot pilgrims. However, for bicycle pilgrims, the well-drivable road over the Hulftegg is more suitable.

Fischingen: «to the old smithy»

Directly after the monastery, the mountain pass road over the Hulftegg branches off to the left. As an important local connection, it is kept open in winter whenever possible. The Hulftegg was already documented as an important mountain pass crossing in 1656. The road from Fischingen to Steg is hard to miss. It was probably often used in the early days of the Swabian Way and is therefore justified as an alternative. In winter, the path over the Hörnli was never walkable anyway.

Arriving down in Steg, one encounters that part of the Way of St. James that comes in from the Hörnli on the right.

Only about 4.5 km now leads slightly uphill, to then be able to ride practically only downhill to Rapperswil.

Until Rapperswil, one should stay on the main road, as the signposted Way of St. James often leads over poorly passable hiking trails.

In Rapperswil, for once, the goal of this path is not a cathedral, but the modern pilgrim hostel in the middle of the old town.