Guided Walking in the Swiss Appenzell Alps

Fly from London to Zurich. We then travel by second-class rail to our hotel in Appenzell, a journey of approximately 1 hour 40 minutes. 

Your main luggage will be transferred separately, so please keep essential items, including your passport, medication and payment cards, in your hand luggage. 

After time to settle in, we’ll take a gentle guided stroll through Appenzell’s colourful streets and stop at Appenzeller Alpenbitter for a complimentary tasting of a traditional Swiss herbal liqueur. This evening, we gather and take a short walk to a local restaurant for a welcome drink and dinner. 

Morning walk (both groups): Jakobsbad to Gontenbad 

Distance: 3 miles (4.9 km) 
Ascent: 205 feet (63 m) 
Descent: 250 feet (76 m) 

Today begins with both groups enjoying a walk together along the popular Barefoot Trail through the peat meadows of the Gonten Valley.  Taking the train to Jakobsbad, we set off on a flat trail that leads through soft grass and shallow streams to Gontenbad, offering an unusual and refreshing way to experience the landscape. 

We then return to Jakobsbad by train and ride the cable car to Kronberg. Both afternoon options offer impressive views towards Säntis and the rugged peaks of the Alpstein massif. 

Option 1: Kronberg and Jakobsalp 

Distance: 2.5 miles (4km) 
Ascent: 800 feet (250 m) 
Descent: 800 feet (250 m) 

From the top of Kronberg, we follow easy paths around the summit before descending gently towards Alp Laufte. Our route takes us via Jakobsquelle and Jakobsalp, with far-reaching views across the surrounding mountains. We return to the summit and take the cable car down to Jakobsbad. 

Option 2: Kronberg to Jakobsbad 

Distance: 4.5 miles (7 km) 
Ascent: 80 feet (25 m) 
Descent: 2,650 feet (800 m) 

Our longer option follows the Kronberg ridge towards Scheidegg before descending through Alpine scenery to Jakobsbad via Chlepfhütte and St Jakob. Although there is little ascent, the route includes a sustained descent from the summit. 

Both groups reunite in Jakobsbad before returning to Appenzell by train.

Option 1: Ebenalp and Äscher

Distance: 1 mile (1.5 km)

Ascent: 554 feet (169m)

Descent: 593 feet (181 m)

From Ebenalp, we descend through the prehistoric Wildkirchli caves to
the famous Äscher restaurant, dramatically positioned beneath an
overhanging cliff. We then return to Ebenalp

Option 2: Ebenalp and Schäfler

Distance: 2.85 miles (4.6 km)

Ascent / Descent: 1145 feet (349 m)

Our longer walk also departs from Ebenalp and continues along the mountain path to up Schäfler. The summit at 1924m (6312 feet) afford sweeping vistas across the Swiss Central Plateau and the Alpstein range.

Both groups meet at Ebenalp where there is time for lunch in the early afternoon after taking the cable car to Wasserauen there is a choice to join an additional walk.

Option 1 : Wasserauen back to the hotel

Distance: 7.5km / 4.6 miles

Ascent: 152m / 498 feet

Descent: 59m / 193 feet

This gentle route takes us through classic Appenzell countryside following the valley north through Schwende and Weissbad before arriving back at our hotel.

Option 2 : Wasserauen to Lake Seealpsee

Distance 6.10km / 3.8miles

Ascent 280m / 918 feet

Starting at Wasserauen, the trail winds upwards through woodland and open pastures the dramatic peaks of Ebenalp, Schäfler, and Säntis can be seen rising above the valley. Our destination, Lake Seealpsee is a stunning alpine lake surrounded by steep green slopes and sheer rock walls. We return to Wasserauen via the same trail.

Alternatively, you may wish to return the hotel by train from Wasserauen.

A short train journey takes us to Gais, a village surrounded by green pastures and traditional Appenzell farmhouses, famed for its beautifully preserved architecture and historic centre. Choose between a leisurely circuit through the countryside or a longer walk over Gäbris, one of the area’s best-known viewpoints. 

Option 1: Pastures and Farmhouses Around Gais 

Distance: 3.5 miles (6 km) 
Ascent: 450 feet (140 m) 
Descent: 2,850 feet (860 m) 

Our gentler walk follows quiet paths through the countryside surrounding Gais. Passing traditional farmhouses and rolling pastures, we walk via Zweibrücken, Sammelplatz and Möser before returning to the village. 

Option 2: Gais and Gäbris 

Distance: 6.5 miles (10.5 km) 
Ascent: 1,550 feet (480 m) 
Descent: 1,550 feet (480 m) 

From Gais, we climb through the rolling hills to Gäbrisseeli and the summit of Gäbris. The route visits locations associated with the region’s historic battles and rewards the ascent with extensive views across the Appenzell region. 

Both groups meet in Gais at lunchtime. This afternoon, we’ll visit a local bakery to taste Appenzeller Biber, a traditional gingerbread filled with almond paste, before returning by train. 

Today is free for you to relax at the hotel, take an independent walk or use your Appenzeller Holiday Card to visit other places of interest. 

You may like to travel to St Gallen to see its UNESCO-listed Abbey District and historic library. Alternatively, head to the Urnäsch Valley for a walk around the Osteregg loop, a rewarding circular walk that offers panoramic views of the Appenzell foothills. 

We travel by PostBus to Brülisau and take the cable car to the summit of Hoher Kasten. Both options offer exceptional mountain scenery, with views across the Alpstein range and into six countries on a clear day.

Option 1: Hoher Kasten to Brülisau

Distance: 3 miles (4.5 km)

Ascent: negligible

Descent: 2,850 feet (880 m)

We begin with the Europa-Rundweg, an easy panoramic trail around the summit. There will also be time to visit the Alpine flower garden before we descend through Ruhesitz to Brülisau.

Option 2: The Hoher Kasten Ridge

Distance: 5 miles (8 km)

Ascent: 400 feet (120 m)

Descent: 3,200 feet (980 m)

Our longer option starts at the summit of Hoher Kasten and descends along grassy mountain paths with spectacular views across the Alpstein peaks and the Rhine Valley. We continue the descent towards Resspass passing through alpine meadows and pockets of forest. Finally, after crossing Appenzell farmland scattered with alpine huts and grazing cattle, we descend into Brülisau.

Both groups reunite at the Brülisau cable-car station before returning to Appenzell.

We travel by local bus to Stein to visit the Appenzeller Demonstration Cheese Dairy. An interactive exhibition reveals how the region’s famous cheese is produced. 

This afternoon, travel by bus to Waldstatt, a south facing sunny village in the Hinterland of Appenzellerland.

Option 1: Around Waldstatt

Distance: 4 miles (6.7 km)

Ascent: 770 feet (236 m)

This walk takes around the village learning about the local woodworking traditions, the different types of timber in the surrounding forests. Along our route, look out for locally inspired works of art.

Option 2: Waldstatt to St Peterszell

Distance: 8 miles (13 km)

Ascent: 1,400 feet (430m)

Descent: 1,800 feet (550m)

Our longer option starts from Waldstatt where trail climbs through meadows and farmland toward Vollhofstatt and Risi. Much of the route follows sections of the historic St. James Way (Jakobsweg). Along the way, you'll enjoy increasingly expansive views across the hills of Appenzell. The final stretch descends through fields and woodland to St. Peterzell, a charming Toggenburg.

Both group return to the hotel via public transport. This evening, we gather and take a short walk to the venue for a farewell dinner.

After a relaxed final breakfast, we travel by train from Appenzell to Zurich Airport for our flight to London. Your main luggage will be transferred separately from the hotel to the airport.