There is a look-out hill called Hundwiler Höhi which is a hike that Urs has wanted to do for a long time, and luckily for us there was a pretty decent breeze blowing, otherwise the steady 500m ascent in the heat would have been too difficult for me. Never-the-less it was a challenging 2-hour climb to the restaurant at the top of the hill, but the views all across the rolling Appenzellerland hills made it worth it.
What was a bit tougher was: It is haying season. So all day we were accompanied by the noises of weed-wackers, leaf blowers, high-pitched mowers (and then chain saws because there was a forest being cleaned out)... and those horse flies being released through the mowing! Never been bitten by so many horse flies.
At the restaurant they had Rösti on the menu, but we were told that because of the heat, they were serving potato salad instead.... but then the cook figured, today wasn't so busy, so she made us the Rösti as an exception! Other than the one loud dude talking through the entire meal at the next table, it was a good place for a break, especially because NO ONE SMOKED on the terrace, which is the first time that has ever happened.
And then, when we got to our destination, turns out the neighbor also decided it was mowing day, so instead of the peace and rest I was expecting, there was more mowing and harvesting... ah well, that is the life in the mountains.
 |
| The hike starts in Zürchersmühle near Urnäsch, at this beautiful Appenzeller house, possibly the old mill (the name of the house is"Haus zur Mühle" or "House at the Mill") |
 |
| Up some steep sun-exposed slopes (everywhere they are mowing). Good thing there was a breeze, or it would have been too hot. |
 |
| A water trough is always a welcome sight! |
 |
| The town of Urnäsch in the background, close to where we started the hike. |
 |
| My favourite section, it was cool here! |
 |
| At this farmyard the cows had just been let into the barn, and for some reason this one had to stay outside! She was really upset, was kicking the door! We could hear her from quite a ways up the hill |
 |
| Below us the farm where the cow is waiting to go into the barn |
 |
| Made it to Hundwiler Höhi. It was a tough uphill hike. |
 |
| But we were rewarded with some fine Rösti Potatoes, made for us as an exception on this hot day, because there were not so many people up here. |
 |
| I loved the interior of the old building, with all the "Swiss" touches. |
 |
| Enjoying the rolling landscape from the highest point of the hill. Unfortunately the air was hazy, so we didn't see much of Mount Säntis and the Alpstein Massif |
 |
| Sharing the water trough with the cows |
 |
| Some very nice large maple trees |
 |
| Heading eastward we recognize this landscape North of the town of Appenzell. Behind the little forest is Urs' brother's house |
 |
| Behind me is the city of Appenzell, and right above me (all the way at the back) the ridge we are going to hike the next day, starting on the mountain called "Hoher Kasten". |
 |
| Just lying right across our trail. |
 |
| This farmer puts his cows in the barn in the hot afternoons and lets them out for the night when it gets cooler |
 |
| Our destination for the night. This is where Urs' brother lives. A lovely peaceful spot, except also here the farmer must harvest the hay |
 |
| Right next to the house the meadows are also being harvested. Every steep square foot of land is mowed |
 |
| Early morning in the Appenzell countryside |
 |
| This 11-km hike took us a good four hours or more, because of the steep ascent, then we had to make a couple of short detours due to forest work and cows on the trail, and at some places we couldn't find the trail at all.... |
No comments:
Post a Comment