Hinterland: Discover Appenzell Culture and Trails

In Appenzell Hinterland, living traditions come together with literary and cultural history, as well as trails with a range of themes. Experiences range from places associated with Robert Walser’s life and folklore collections to themed trails, viewpoints and a cycling tour.

Culture and Robert Walser

The Herisau Museum explores the cultural history of Appenzell Ausserrhoden through a range of topics: knights and castles, mobility and transport, mills in Appenzell, medicine and spa culture, and the history of education. It also covers the life and work of Robert Walser (1878–1956) and the domestic and musical culture of Appenzell Ausserrhoden. The Robert Walser Room is a permanent feature of the museum; there is also a dedicated museum trail for children.

While the room explores the writer’s life and work, the Robert Walser Trail in Herisau is open year-round and leads to several places associated with his life. These include the Walser Fountain, the clinic grounds at Krombach, the place where he died at Rosenberg, and his grave. The Herisau Cultural Trail offers a different historical perspective: most of its buildings date from 1735 to 1914.

Appenzell Customs and Craftsmanship

At the Appenzell Folklore Museum in Urnäsch, the focus is on Silvesterchläuse, Alpine cattle drives, string music, herdsmen’s life, the Bloch tradition, traditional costumes and folk paintings. Visitors can discover customs and traditions there every day. The museum is housed in an Appenzell home more than 400 years old, with sloping wooden floors. You can join in yourself by taking part in Chlausen with role-bearers, coin spinning and the ringing of bells.

In Hundwil, Silvesterchlausen is celebrated on 31 December and on Old New Year’s Eve, 13 January. In the Bloch tradition, boys from the village pull a large tree trunk through the area on a decorated wagon. The old town hall also offers a glimpse into history: built between 1627 and 1630, it provides a special setting for weddings in an idyllic location. In Stein, the Appenzeller Show Dairy invites visitors to learn some of the secrets behind Appenzeller cheese; its visitor exhibition offers an impressive, life-size insight into cheese production.

Themed Trails, Views and a Cycling Tour

The Holzweg Waldstatt starts at Waldstatt railway station and is 6.5 kilometres long. Along its 16 stations, it invites visitors to explore, learn and play in the hilly landscape. Topics include natural healer Emma Kunz, wood pioneer Hermann Blumer, and the village’s long-established timber construction businesses. The Märliweg in Urnäsch has a different focus: it runs through Schönau Forest, features wooden animal and fairy-tale figures, and has numerous places to play and explore. Its two sections can be walked separately or together.

Different trails lead to different viewpoints. From the summit of the pyramid-shaped Hundwiler Höhi, the view stretches from the Alpstein range to Lake Constance. From the Spitzli Route near Urnäsch, views may extend across Lake Constance, the Säntis massif and the Glarus Alps as far as the Rigi; visibility depends on conditions.

For a cycling trip, the Säntispanorama Route offers a moderately challenging 47-kilometre ride with 1,089 metres of ascent and descent. It runs from Herisau via Schwellbrunn, Bächli, Urnäsch, Hundwil and Stein, and back to Herisau via Gübsensee. Hundwil is served by the Herisau–Stein–St. Gallen postbus route. Check the current timetable when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Schönengrund, Waldstatt, Herisau, Urnäsch, Stein, Hundwil, Schwellbrunn, Mittelland

Return to the main travel overview: Appenzell.