Gais: Village History, Forest and Winter Sports

Gais offers a range of experiences for your stay: a village shaped by history, a museum featuring views of the village, and opportunities to explore the forest and nature. There are also activities that vary with the seasons. If you are looking for a hotel in Gais, you can plan your stay around whether you are most interested in village history, nature or winter sports. The topics below offer specific ideas to help you plan.

Village History and Museum

A settlement at Gais was mentioned in 1467. It developed near the church and was laid out according to plan around a large village square. Gais received the Wakker Prize in 1977 for its efforts to preserve its village character, which is of national importance. The Battle of Stoss is also part of the village’s history: it took place in the territory of Gais in 1405 and was a significant event in the Appenzell Wars of 1401 to 1429.

The Gais Museum displays more than 200 views of Gais dating from the late 18th to the early 20th century. These are accompanied by seven panoramic partial views of the village’s surroundings, drawn by Johann Ulrich Fitzi for innkeeper Salomon Heim of the Ochsen between 1840 and 1842. While the village views span a longer period, the panoramas were created within a more narrowly defined timeframe.

The “Hereinspaziert” programme offers another way to explore local history: locals guide individuals and groups through the village and share insights into the culture, history and culinary delights of Gais. Its early reputation as a place of respite is also part of its history: Gais gained recognition for its whey cures.

Explore the Forest and Landscape

The Gais Forest Discovery Area is set among diverse forests and flowering wet meadows. The “Nature Trail of the Senses” features 50 information boards and objects; there is also a barefoot trail and a forest xylophone. Together, the stations engage different senses and combine information about nature with other experiences in the forest.

Forest educators and specialists offer guided tours of around one hour on selected nature topics. These include trees and shrubs, forest animals, birds and insects, as well as sustainable forest management and the functions of the forest. The approximate duration helps you schedule this activity, while the examples of topics show the range of possible themes.

A hike in the Gais recreation area introduces you to features of the Gais landscape: farms, forests and wet meadows, as well as information about biodiversity. At the petting farm, animal encounters take centre stage. It offers families, school classes and groups the chance to get close to animals and nature—a different focus from the landscape themes of the hike.

Swimming and Seasonal Sports

Gais outdoor swimming pool has a 25-metre pool with a 1-metre diving board, a non-swimmer pool with a small slide, and a children’s pool. If you are interested in winter sports, the Gais cross-country skiing centre has a 30-kilometre trail. Both skating and classic cross-country skiing are possible, and equipment can be hired.

The Gais natural ice rink is open for public skating, although its operation depends on winter temperatures. The rink also hosts ice hockey games and lessons, as well as Bavarian curling. Cross-country skiing and the ice rink offer different activities; temperatures determine whether the rink can operate.

Rail Connections

The Appenzell Railways connect Gais with the city of St. Gallen and Appenzell every half hour. Check the current timetable before travelling to plan your journey.

Discover more destinations: Trogen, Speicher, Teufen, Bühler.

Return to the main travel overview: Mittelland.