On the Appenzeller Alp Trail Below Mount Säntis

May 17, 2017 -- At 2500 m, Mount Säntis is the highest peak in the Alpstein massif in northeastern Switzerland, and a popular tourist destination especially for people from Southern Germany, as the massif is the landmark of the Lake Constance region, and the culminating point of the Appenzell Alps. From the Alp called Schwägalp at the base of the mountain, there is a cable car that one can take to the observation deck on Mount Säntis for spectacular views of six countries.

The 13-km hike we did this Wednesday (with a friend from work who also had the day off) started at the base station of the cable car, not going up to the summit but walking northwards to Mount Kronberg, and along that ridge and further North to the town of Urnäsch. Along the way we also had spectacular views, southwards to Mount Säntis and the entire Alpstein massif, and northwards across the lowlands to Lake Constance.

The hike took us five hours to do as there were a couple of steep uphill and downhill sections, but we could not have asked for a better day. 

Our 13-km hike in the Appenzell area of Switzerland involved 500m ascent and 1000m descent.

Heading toward Schwägalp on the bus, our hike starts below Mount Säntis, the highest peak in the Alpstein Massif.

Before starting on the hike, we stock up on locally-produced sausages and cheeses in the cheese factory.

A cable car gives access to the observatory on Mount Säntis. This is a popular tourist destination

Perfect day to hike the alpine meadows.

Our goal is the ridge ahead which we follow westward before heading North again.

After an hour's hike, there is a very steep hill ahead, and still another 3+ hours to our destination in Urnäsch.

Always great views Southward behind us. 

Views to the East

This is where we stopped for lunch.

On the left ist the ridge we are hiking along, on the right far reaching views northward toward Germany.

The first Gentians of the season

The stone marks the border between the Cantons of Appenzell Innerrhoden and Appenzell Ausserrhoden.

There is still snow remaining on northern slopes, at 1500m.

View North toward Germany, Lake Constance just barely visible in the background.

View East to Mount Kronberg

The entire hillside was full of little flowers

Ahead of us is the steep descent to that farmstead, then to the left toward Urnäsch

Here the trail crosses these roots. Never gets boring.

The Swiss Brown Cows also never get boring. 

In the background the hill that we descended.

Approaching Urnäsch

These figures at the Urnäsch train station represent the "Urnäsch Silvesterkläuse", a 200-year-old tradition practiced only in this village on December 31st and January 13th, celebrating New Year's Day from both the Julian and the Gregorian Calendars.