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Hiking appenzell breathtaking mountain landscape

Hiking Appenzell: Originality and a breathtaking mountain landscape

Appenzell holiday region: hiking and biking in Switzerland

Hiking Appenzell: Holidays in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden

Originality and a breathtaking mountain landscape

Appenzell stands for alpine rides, cattle shows and string music and of course much more – but although the people in the region are quite open to the contemporary, this tradition in Appenzell is far from becoming a folklore. Appenzell Innerrhoden and Appenzell Ausserrhoden. These two cantons Appenzell in the northeast of Switzerland. Of course, one immediately thinks of the well-known Appenzeller cheese from the region. It has Appenzell Far more to offer: Picturesque sleepy villages, hills, forests and meadows characterize the landscape. Often you can also find individual houses and farms in the wild. In so-called values ​​(restaurants), the villagers meet for a chat. Although nature plays a significant role in the region, the infrastructure is well developed. Of the säntis is the most famous summit of the canton of Appenzell and is particularly popular with mountaineers, skiers and hikers.

Especially in Appenzellerland customs are well maintained, often paired with traditional folk music. In May, for example, shepherds costumed with their animals to the alp. The alpine journey at the beginning of summer, the New Year‘s Eve, the Bloch migration and the cattle watching in autumn are also integral parts of the local culture. Furthermore come Nordic walking-Enthusiastic in the Nordic Fitness Park on your costs. The Appenzellerland has seven fitness centers with a total of 350 kilometers of signposted trails, which differ in their severity. Other highlights include the cable car Jakobsbad-Kronberg and the Kronberg bobsleigh run.

Hiking Appenzell: History of Appenzell Ausserrhoden

According to legend, a giant has carried a sack of houses on his back through the Appenzell and is on the highest mountain in the region, the säntis, got stuck. Somewhat astonished that the sack was suddenly so light, he noticed that the houses he carried in the sack had dropped out through a slit in his backpack. When the giant saw how graceful the scattered houses looked, he decided to leave them that way. As far as the legend goes. The fact is that the Appenzell hills with all the villages and hamlets looks fairytale. What could be better than putting on hiking boots or cycling to discover this beautiful canton?.

Appenzell Ausserrhoden has been since its breakup, which had denominational and economic backgrounds Appenzell Inner Rhodes more than 400 years ago independent canton. The canton consisting of 20 municipalities has with the city herisau his main place. In total, only about 53,000 people live here. Although not stipulated in the constitution, Herisau is considered the main town. The country Appenzell was added in 1513 as the thirteenth place in the Confederation. That’s why in 2013 both Appenzell cantons will celebrate this anniversary together. Due to its advanced textile industry Appenzell Ausserrhoden was in the 18th century – and in niche areas until the 20th century – an industrial stronghold with a population peak of almost 58 000 inhabitants around 1910, which has not been reached until today.

Hiking in the canton Appenzell-Ausserrhoden

Hiking Appenzell Outer Rhodes

Appenzellerland has over 1,200 km of marked hiking trails, the densest hiking network in Switzerland. Of the alpstein with its three mountain ranges is not only the best known Mountain hiking area Eastern Switzerland, but also the most visited. In addition to hiking, paragliding, climbing, biking or fishing are also on the program here. In winter, winter hiking, snowshoeing, sledging and skiing are offered. “Hiking Appenzell Ausserhoden” is the keyword for holidaymakers who want to discover the steep mountains in the Alpstein or the hilly landscape of the canton on foot. In winter, snowshoeing through the deep snow of untouched nature is very much in demand. Otherwise, there are numerous theme trails, such as the Witzwanderweg, the Gesundheitsweg or the Barefoot path Gonten.

A beautiful hiking route leads from Urnäsch to Schwägalp. As usual in the Prealps, you can often see agricultural areas with cows. Especially milk and cheese are produced here. The height difference is 760 meters; The distance of 11 kilometers can be reached in about 4 hours. The difficulty of the hike is not too high. The tour starts in Urnäsch. The area is known for its impressive rolling hills. At the small river Urnäsch you walk over pastures and meadows to the Hochalp in the direction of Säntis. After the ascent, the path between Hochalp and Schwägalp is not so exhausting anymore. Here you will find a beautiful and mostly protected landscape. Pass by waterfalls, cross a forest and the Schwägalp Nature Experience Park with all its diversity. If you are interested in the production of cheese, you should visit the alp cheese dairy. A fantastic panoramic view from the top you have on the Säntis, on which you get on the Säntisbahn. Now you can either spend the night in the Appenzeller Berghotel Schwägalp or take the post bus back to Urnäsch.

Appenzell Ausserhoden: Hiking on the Säntis

The Säntis is the landmark of the Lake Constance region. The widely visible mountain is known for extreme weather conditions that otherwise only occur in high mountains. Here in 1882 a first weather station was set up, which is still maintained and provides weather data. From the 2,502 meter high summit the view extends over six countries. The starting point is the Säntisweg, the 400 meters southwest of the valley station Schwägalp, starts. The mountain path now goes quite steeply up to the rock bastion “Musfalle”, but it is wire-rope protected and does not pose any technical problems. Continue on a wide grass and rubble belt, then along the foot of a rock wall. You get to the “elbow”, from where the path leads steeply upwards again. About steps and steps you will soon reach the traditional Mountain inn Tierwis. Continue to the large cart field, pay attention to the markings that guide you between funnels and columns to the foot of the slope under the giraffe saddle and to the ridge itself. It continues past the Blue Snow gap and upwards over the rock staircase, the so-called “Himmelsleiter”, onto the summit of Säntis. From here you can enjoy the beautiful view and the summit show.

Hiking Appenzell: The Alpstein

The Alpstein is a pre-Alpine massif in the Eastern Swiss Limestone Alps, bounded by the St. Gallen Rhine Valley and the Obertoggenburg. The narrower, located in the border area of ​​the cantons of St. Gallen and the two Appenzell cantons Säntis Mountains, is the source area of ​​Sitter and Thur and consists of three from southwest to northeast current ridges. The Säntis can be reached by mountain railway from the Schwägalp. Second highest elevation to the Säntis is the Altmann, third highest of the Wildhauser sheep mountain (2,373 meters). Other striking points are the Staubern pulpit, of the High box and the Ebenalp, all three accessible by cable car.

The mountain range is rather steep and the valleys are deeply cut. The Alpstein is an ideal, sometimes challenging, hiking terrain. In winter, especially between February and April, it is possible to ski or snowboard down from the Säntis massif down to Appenzell, Wasserauen or Brülisau or into Toggenburg to Unterwasser or Wildhaus. In doing so, due care must be taken to the current avalanche conditions.

Despite its rather low height compared to other alpine peaks, the alpstein Due to its northern “outpost position” with only a short distance to Lake Constance (straight line 30 km) very powerful.

Mountain biking in Appenzell

Mountain bike Appenzell Ausserrhoden

Under “Mountainbike Appenzell Ausserrhoden” you will find some attractive MTB routes and related maps on the internet. One of them is the one Appenzell-Rhine Valley tour (No. 825) from Appenzell to Altstätten. Especially on not so warm days you should take warm clothes for the longer descent. The track is a good 22 kilometers long, it is feasible in less than 2 hours. On the way there is a height difference of 565 meters, but the tour is not that difficult.
The tour starts in Appenzell. Over a few hills the journey goes over the lower Hirschberg to Eggerstanden. You cross the Chräzerenwald and, after a continuous ascent, reach the Hohen Hirschberg at over 1,100 meters. From here you have a magnificent view of the Alpstein and Appenzell.
Then the descent (about a quarter of an hour) into the Rhine Valley in the cultural Altstätten. There is also a crystal cave here that you can visit. With the train you can ride together with mountain bike back to Appenzell.

Ski in the Appenzell Ausserhoden

In the region there are several smaller ski lifts that are especially interesting for children and beginners. So for example the Ski lift Schwägalp right next to the Valley station of the Säntisbahn, the ski lifts in Trogen and Heiden as well as the lift of the restaurant Traube in Gais.

Attractions in Appenzell-Ausserrhoden

  • säntis: The king in the Alpstein and landmark of the region: either up the cable car or with the hiking boots
  • Appenzell cheese dairy: The manufacturer of the famous Appenzeller cheese offers a vivid introduction to the art of cheese making
    Wildkirchli: Three prehistoric caves at the Wildkirchli – they are said to have a healing effect
  • Schnuggebock: Here somehow time stood still – traditional food without Schickimicki
  • Kronberg: Family and leisure mountain of Appenzellerland. There is a rope park and a bobsleigh track for the family
  • cattle shows: Every year in the autumn, the Appenzellers prepare their cows with great love for the cattle shows
  • High box: At 1,795 meters above sea level can be enjoyed in the revolving restaurant or on the sun terrace of the Hohenstein a breathtaking view. The Hohe Kasten can best be reached by post bus. The aerial cableway stop is right next to the valley station in Brülisau. With the alpine garden and the geological hiking trail you can visit several attractive excursion destinations

Conclusion: active holiday and hiking Appenzell

Tradition and culture combined with all the possibilities to spend an active holiday in Switzerland – this is what the canton of Appenzell-Ausserhoden stands for. More than 1,200 kilometers of hiking trails offer tours in all altitudes: Whether a walk in the valley, challenging mountain trail or mountain hike to one of the peaks of the Appenzell mountains, here you are spoiled for choice. Those who prefer to explore the Appenzell by mountain bike or bicycle might not be able to enjoy the downhill paradise of Lake Garda, but will find a suitable tour for every requirement of the terrain.

Video Hiking Appenzell

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