Gäbris Tour in Appenzell Ausserrhoden

(This blog post published on April 25, 2023)

Thursday May 5, 2016 -- A sunny but very cold day. We headed to the beautiful Appenzell Region (in the very far northeastern part of the country) and did a loop hike starting and ending in the village of Gais. (It is called the Gäbris Tour, because the small hill at the center of the tour is called Gäbris). The 11-km tour required a total of 500m ascent, which wasn't too bad, but the icy cold winds blowing were a bit of a let-down.

We started at 10:15 and reached the Oberer Gäbris restaurant at 11:20, but it was too cold to sit on their beautiful view terrace, so we had something to drink inside, before continuing on our way.

At 14:45 we were already back at the train station. That's just over 4 hours for the 3-hour 15-minute strict walking time, and includes 30 minutes at the restaurant. Had it not been so cold, we might have sat on some benches for longer, admiring the excellent view we had of Mt.Säntis and the lovely pastoral Appenzell countryside on this very clear day. 

After a quick look around the village, we started on the first uphill section. Already we can see that we are fortunate to have such a clear view on this day! We started from the train station at 10:15

A look down at the village of Gais

Very interesting to see farm buildings with their roofs covered in voltaic cells (solar panels)

The trail we are following is called the "Gäbris Tour". 

Setting up the camera on a fence post for a picture where we are both on it. Here it was very cold!

An uphill climb to the Gäbris Restaurant

We got to the restaurant at 11:20, about an hour after starting on the hike. The view is wonderful from the large terrace, but too cold to sit outside.

So we went inside for a cup of coffee, and had this view out the window from our table. Also nice! And no wind. 

The first gentians are always a treat. 

Here at the summit of the Gäbris is a small lake called Gäbrisseeli ("Little Gäbris Lake")

Gäbrisseeli

Gäbrisseeli

I thought this was quite unique, making the cut tree trunks look like colouring pencils!

Another self-timed photo. Here there was less wind

I was wondering what this "appliance" was: It's to correct the cow's horns if they are growing crooked. Sort of like braces for the teeth

The best part of any hike in Switzerland

This view from the second hill is into the Rhine Valley, where the Rhine River forms the eastern border of Switzerland. The mountains straight ahead would be in Liechtenstein, the ones on the right are Switzerland. 

Rounding the loop and heading back down to Gais

Urs took off his jacket, it's not so cold any more. 

Cute little farm

Enjoying some time on a bench after all. 

Last stretch back to Gais, and to the train station. Right now it's 2:30 p.m., so we probably took a 3 p.m. train. 

Gäbris Loop Trail, just over 3 hours of actual walking time. With stops along the way, we were headed home again about four later

What the tour looks like on Google Satellite Maps

Location of Gäbris in eastern Switzerland

VIDEO:
We also saw a really cute turtle (in an enclosure obviously), munching on spring grass