Hiking in Switzerland – Gabrielle and Urs

May 8, 2016

Two Viewing Towers on the Klettgau-Rhine-Trail between Siblingen and Schleitheim

(This post published on May 12, 2023)

Sunday May 8, 2016 -- In the low hills of Canton Schaffhausen (where the mighty Rhine Falls are located) all tucked in along the Swiss/German border is an area called the Klettgau, the largest connected winegrowing area in German-speaking Switzerland. Here is also a low range of mountains called the Randen, where there are four viewing towers, two of which we visited on this Mothers’ Day on the trail between Siblingen and Schleitheim. (This is the largest concentration of viewing towers in one region in Switzerland, possibly also in Europe)

The first of the two towers that we climbed up to, a 19-m structure erected just over a year ago (2014), had as its inspiration the shape of the mighty beech tree which make up most of the forest on this range.

For this time of year, this was a pleasant little hike for us, and although sadly the long-distance view to the South was too hazy on this day to see the entire East/West range of the Alps, we came right at the height of the wonderful rapeseed season and I was thrilled to be able to witness the patchwork of green and yellow countryside. There is nothing happier than the colour yellow.

(Note: In the fall of 2019 we did another hike in this region, starting in Schleitheim and ending in Hallau, passing by the landmark church of St.Moritz in Hallau. Those photos are HERE)

On the way to Schaffhausen, the train passes over the Rhine River near Eglisau (looking west here)

And it's always an experience when we pass the Rhine Falls, the largest by volume in Europe.

Our hike starts in Siblingen as we admire the apple trees currently in full bloom

Ahead of us is the Siblinger Randenturm, the first tower we climbed along the Randen Range

There is nothing prettier than all the yellow fields at this time of year

The hike we did this day was about 11 km, starting in Siblingen at 9:45 and ending in Schleitheim at 15:30, along Trail no.34: "Klettgau-Rhein-Weg.

A look back at the village of Siblingen as we start our hike up the hill.

Far, far off to the southwest we get a view of the distinctive landmark here, St.Moritz church in Hallau

It took us an hour to get to the Siblinger Randen Tower. This is a very pretty construction.

An information panel displays how the tower was designed to imitate the beech trees of which the forest mostly consists.

A look down on the town of Siblingen, and the entire Klettgau region. The vineyards are further in the back.

Considering that we didn't have the best view to the south, here in the north it wasn't too bad! This is in the direction of Germany

Panorama view from the Siblinger Randenturm

A final look back at the tower as we head along the crest of the Randen Range to the next tower. It is currently 11:10 (We spent about 20 minutes here).

Here a nice trail between forest and meadow

The forests are prettiest at this time of year.

The beech trees?

At 13:30 we arrived at the second tower, the Schleitheimer Randenturm. (This one was hidden by trees and harder to photograph from a distance.)

It's just so much fun to climb the look-out towers

View from the Schleitheimer Randen Tower. This view is slightly to the northwest to a town called Beggingen.

Also directly to the north is the third of the four lookout towers: The Hagenturm

Close-up frame of the lovely green-and-yellow fields below

Continuing through the forests, where the Bear Garlic is plentiful.

Another photo-shoot in the rapeseed fields!

Urs taking photos of me in the yellow fields

The blossoming trees here are really very pretty

Looking at the fields across the roofs of Schleitheim.

Crossing the stream that runs through Schleitheim. What an unusual sculpture!

Main street in Schleitheim

Some nice half-timbered houses in this region

What our 11-km hike looks like on Google Satellite Maps. Starting in Siblingen, ending in Schleitheim

On the way back to Zurich, the train passes the Rhine Falls again

Crossing the Rhine River again, this time the view is to the east, to the town of Eglisau

Where the Klettgau region is located in Switzerland

May 5, 2016

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

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.