Quarten — municipality on Walensee in the canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland

Geography and settlements

The municipal territory faces the deep, fjord-like Walensee and rises quickly into the Churfirsten and other ranges. Villages and hamlets are strung along terraces and slopes, benefiting from both the lake's moderating influence and sunny exposures that support agriculture and tourism. The lakeshore and mountain landscape make the area scenically varied.

Villages and local character

Quarten comprises several distinct localities with their own character. Key villages include:

• Oberterzen — higher terrace near the Flumserberg skiing and hiking region;
• Unterterzen — lakeside settlement with transport links and access to cableways;
• Quarten — the central village that gives the municipality its name;
• Quinten — a small, largely car-free hamlet known for a mild microclimate and vineyards;
• Mols and Murg — lakeside villages with railway connections and local services;
• Tannenbodenalp — high alpine pasture and resort area used in summer and winter.

History and economy

Settlement in the Quarten area dates back centuries, shaped by alpine farming, viticulture on favorable slopes, and later by tourism. The local economy mixes agriculture, especially fruit and wine cultivation in sheltered spots like Quinten, with hospitality, outdoor sports and small businesses catering to visitors and residents.

Transport, recreation and notable facts

Quarten is served by regional rail and boat services on Lake Walen, and cable cars and lifts connect the lakeshore to higher alpine terrain. Hiking, skiing on the Flumserberg slopes, boating and vineyard visits are among the main activities. Quinten is notable for being effectively car-free and for its sunny, sheltered slope that supports small-scale wine production. The municipality is part of Switzerland (Confederation of Switzerland) and attracts visitors seeking lake and mountain experiences within the Sarganserland region.

Practical information on timetables, accommodation and marked trails is available from local tourist offices and transport providers; for official links and contacts consult municipal resources and regional guides: municipal information, district pages at Sarganserland, and cantonal portals at St. Gallen.