It was 12 km and 3.5 hours like most of the hikes we do, but without any long steep ascents or descents, just lots of rises and falls, and soft comfortable trails through forests and across meadows. The landscape here in eastern Switzerland along the border of the two cantons St.Gallen and Appenzell is rolling hills and pasture land, and on a nice day like the one we had, rife with views! Views to the North to Lake Constance, views to the West to the Toggenburg, to the East to Mount Säntis and to the South: a long stretch of snow-capped Alps!
And cows, there were lots and lots of Swiss Brown Cows! (Well, the area IS known for its Appenzell cheese!). And we even saw a pheasant, which are rare in Switzerland and not known to live in this area.
At the highest section of our walk we had lunch in a lovely Gasthaus with a stupendous view, and the price was pretty reasonable as well. Another highlight for me is that we crossed "provincial" borders several times along the way (usually marked with a border stone), or simply walked along the border lines. But mostly we walked in Canton Appenzell.
Since this area takes us only two hours to get to, we were back home early in the day and long before the storms started.
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| 12 km, 3.5 hours. Hiking through the rolling landscape of Canton Appenzell |
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| Our first view South as we emerged from the forest 45 minutes after starting our hike. |
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| Most of the way we had this view of Mount Säntis |
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| We crossed the St.Gallen and Appenzell borders several times, marked by these border stones. |
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| The rolling Appenzell landscape, very pleasant to walk in |
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| This billy goat must have escaped from somewhere nearby, as he was walking along the road then joined us on the hiking trail. He looked very confused. |
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| As pretty as they are, we have respect for these great beasts when they share the hiking trails (usually we make detours around them). |
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| One of several Appenzell farmsteads we passed through on our wonderful hike. |
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| Such interesting markings on these cows. The ones with the white bands around their bodies become lead cows in the popular Appenzeller alp processions. |
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| My favourite kind of hiking, through the meadows. |
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| A special treat, hob-nobbing with the "teenage" cows. They are always so curious. (These are about two years old). |
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| The unending meadows of spring flowers never get boring |
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| Typical Appenzell houses. In the background, the Toggenburg landscape of St. Gallen |
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| Lunch at Gasthaus Sitz. The food was good (including Appenzeller Beer with lemon juice, of all things) and the view was magnificent. |
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| Below to the left is the town of Schwellbrunn, established in 1648. We have now joined Route Nr.4, the "St.James Trail" |
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| Town of Schwellbrunn in Canton Appenzell |
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| All along the way we had views of Mount Säntis and the Alpstein Massif. |
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| Below is our destination: Waldstatt |
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| Translation: "Milk for the flavourful Appenzell cheese originates here" |
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| The Appenzell homes are very recognizable by their particular build (house with barn attached) |
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| At the train station in Waldstatt, a fountain depicting the popular Appenzell Alp procession. |
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