Day Trip to the Appenzell with Mom

(This post created on February 10, 2025)

Tuesday, June 4, 2019 -- Another beautiful June day, and on today's itinerary with my Mom was a day trip to Appenzell in eastern Switzerland to visit Urs' brother (and their Mom) who lives just outside the city. Before heading off to his place for afternoon coffee, we first walked around the lovely town of Appenzell admiring all the painted facades (which is what this town is known for) and had a very nice lunch at one of the several Gasthauses in the town. Later we went for a short walk (about one kilometer total) in the lovely countryside, and enjoyed all the cows in the pastures as well as views of Mounts Säntis and the Hoher Kasten. 

In order to make the most of the lovely evening, we took the scenic route home with the "Süd-Ost Bahn" via Rapperswil, Lake Zurich, Rothenthurm upper moor, Arth Goldau and Lake Zug. 

Heading by train to Appenzell, we pass through the rolling hills of the Toggenburg region. 

Enjoying riding in First Class!

We got to Appenzell at 11 a.m. and walked up and down the roads admiring the painted building fronts. 

Appenzell is a popular destination because of the pretty houses

The painted house fronts usually reflect the type of businesses which exist in these buildings. 

What a cool shop! It's an Apothecary, with oldfashioned scales to weigh the herbs and elixirs offered in decorative flasks and bins. 

We found a very interested shop displaying metal artwork of what is called "Scherenschnitt" (Scissor Art) which is usually done in paper, but looks particularly intriguing done in metal!

Beautiful Scherenschnitt artwork display done in metal

A small chapel right in the center of the pedestrian zone

This is the Gasthaus Hotel and Restaurant we decided to have lunch at. 

Enjoying typical Gasthaus food: A "Fitness Teller" with breaded Schnitzel and a variety of salads!

We had ordered a local public transport van to pick us up after lunch at just after 1 p.m. to take us the five kilometers to Urs' brother's house (this is like a taxi, but costs only five or 10 francs per person!)

Farming landscape around the town of Appenzell. To the east we can see the summit of Mount Hoher Kasten. 

Typical Appenzell farmhouse

This cute little house is under heritage protection, as it was once used as a travel inn back when horses were the only means of transport. 

Posing with a very pretty orchid plant!

I left my Mom to visit and went on a small walk up the small hill behind the little house, to photograph the landscape on this beautiful day!

The rolling hills of the Appenzell countryside. The small house below used to serve as a traveler's inn back when horses were the main mode of travel. The ground level had a high ceiling as it was the barn for the horses, while the travelers had rooms on the upper levels. 

Later we took Urs' mother in her wheelchair for some fresh air and a small walk near the house. There were many cows from the neighbour's farm grazing in the nearby pastures. 

Cows are the best!

Cows are always curious when we walk past!

We are being observed by the littlest of the cows!

Not far from the house we get this fabulous view of the Alpstein Massif including the summit of Mt.Säntis on the right with the communication tower. 

Perfect road for a walk with a wheelchair. 

The summit of the Hoher Kasten to the east

This farm offers "Sleeping in the Hay"

Back at the house before 5 p.m., and time to head back to the train station in Appenzell for the train trip home. 

Location of Appenzell within Switzerland. 

The train ride back to Zug is with the "Süd-Ost Bahn" via Herisau and Arth Goldau, and took only 2½ hours. 

More fantastic views of the Alpstein Massif as the train heads away from Appenzell

A look toward the Schwyzer (or Glarner?) Alps as the train leaves the Ricken Tunnel

Crossing Lake Zurich from Rapperswil to Pfäffikon (We have walked on this boardwalk before, but need to do it again!)

This is a small island in the middle of Lake Zurich!

A close-up view of the Rapperswil Castle from across Lake Zurich

The train passes via the Rothenthurm High Moors on its way to Arth Goldau

Just before Arth Goldau, the train emerges into the open valley between the Mythen Mountains and Mt.Rigi. What we see to the south is Mt. Fronalpstock. The lake is called Lake Lauerzersee. 

The eastern foot of Mt.Rigi, with Lake Lauerz.

Final leg of the journey as the train heads north along Lake Zug. It was after 8 p.m. when we got home!