Discover the Appenzell Region

Explore our posts about the Appenzell region in eastern Switzerland.

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The Appenzell region in eastern Switzerland is known for its rolling hills, spiky Alpstein peaks and signature cheese of the same name.

The best hikes near Appenzell for casual hikers and families. Options ranging from easy short trails with fun amusements to more difficult mountain trails where you earn the view.

Where is Appenzell

Appenzell is located in north eastern Switzerland. From Zürich, it’s about 1h20 by car and 2 hours by train. 

Easy to reach viewpoints

Hoher Kasten
Ride cable car to tall mountain in eastern Switzerland with views of six countries and Alpstein mountains.
Short hike to the famous cliff restaurant near Appenzell with a fun cable car ride and spectacular mountain views.
Ride a cable car up to a tall mountain peak with spectacular views across the Alpstein mountain range in eastern Switzerland.

Cheese & Chocolate near Appenzell

Learn about Swiss cheese making in a fun way at this dairy where you can watch live cheese making, sample the local cheese, and make your own alpine herbal mix to take home.
Fun interactive discovery tour where you learn about chocolate making, see a live chocolate factory, sample chocolate, and make your own chocolate bar.

If you stay at least 2 nights at a participating accommodation, you can get the Oskar card, which gives you public transport and discounts on mountains in the region.

Fun for Families

Visit this fun mountain area near Appenzell with a coaster, zipline-park, fairytale playground, and spectacular views of the Alpstein mountain range.
Fun trail for children in eastern Switzerland with 20 interactive musical activities along the trail and beautiful mountain views.
Beautiful elevated walkway in Eastern Switzerland, looping 500m through the forest, with views of classic Swiss landscape. Families will like the fun playground and interactive signboards educating you about the flora and fauna in the area.

Hiking near Appenzell

Short hike to the spectacular Saxer Lücke viewpoint in the Appenzell region, with optional detour to the beautiful Fälensee lake for lunch with the best Rösti in Switzerland.
Hike to the beautiful Seealpsee alpine lake on a safe trail suitable for less experienced hikers and children. Lounge lakeside, rent a row boat, have a picnic, or enjoy lunch at the restaurant with a fantastic view.
This mountain resort is designed for families, with lots of amusements: an alpine coaster, huge playground, zip line ropes course, and treasure hunt trail.
Beautiful alpine lake nestled in the mountains, happily accessible by car or bus, great for a spring outing.
Hike from Hoher Kasten peak near Appenzell down to a pretty lake in a forest, ending with a fun mountain scooter ride.

Challenging hikes near Appenzell

Ridge trail through the Alpstein mountain range in eastern Switzerland, visiting the Saxer Lücke viewpoint and Fälensee alpine lake.
Challenging and risky trail along the famous Schäfler ridge, hiking around and under the beautiful spiky Alpstein peaks. Only for experienced hikers that are comfortable with risk.

Where to stay near Appenzell

Everything in this area is a reasonable day trip from Zürich. But if you plan to do multiple activities, you’ll have more fun if you stay overnight in the region.

The Appenzell village is a convenient base, but you may prefer one of the mountain hotels. Here are a few suggestions,

Next to the Seealpsee lake, there are two mountain hotels: Gasthaus Forelle and Berggasthaus Seealpsee. This would give you more time at the lake, so you can be a nice way to break up the hike.

You can break up the long Hoher Kasten-Saxer Lucke trail by stopping halfway at Berghaus Bollenwies next to the Falensee. They serve the best Rösti in the region, deep fried and so delicious.

Berggasthaus Staubern is on this same hike but on the ridge, so you get the panorama view from their outdoor terrace.

At the top of the Kronberg lift, there is Berggasthaus Kronberg, a mountain hotel with views of the Alpstein. Even if you don’t stay overnight, you can ride up the cable car for their special breakfast buffet. 

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Welcome

Hi! I’m Tanya and our family has been living & hiking in Switzerland since 2005, collecting dozens of fun hikes and activities for all ages and abilities. More about us…

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