Wald: Scenery, Wonderweg and Local Traditions

Wald combines the rolling landscape of the Appenzeller Vorderland with the Wäldler Wonderweg, seasonal views and local traditions. If you are looking for a hotel in Wald, these different aspects of the village can help guide your choice of stay: nature, stops along the trail and cultural events each offer a distinct focus.

Landscape and the seasons

On many sunny days during the winter months, you can enjoy views from Wald across the sea of fog towards St. Gallen, Lake Constance and the Rhine Valley. This means the view depends on a particular season and weather conditions, and offers a special point of reference when planning a winter trip. The high altitude and fresh air also invite you to enjoy restorative walks. These offer two different considerations when planning your stay: the expansive seasonal view on the one hand, and walks through the landscape on the other.

The Wäldler Wonderweg

The Wäldler Wonderweg leads to 19 special places, including sites, landmarks, points of interest and viewpoints. This variety means that not every stop has the same character. Each of the 19 places is described on a board in a small wooden hut. Unlike the distant view, which depends on sunny winter days, the Wonderweg focuses on a range of special places, each with its own description. When planning your trip, you can weigh up these two different aspects: the seasonal view across the sea of fog or a series of stops with descriptions.

Market day and local customs

The Wäldler market is held every two years on a Saturday, directly after the annual cattle show. The market stalls offer crafts and products from Wald and the surrounding area. If you would like to plan your stay around this event, check the date for the relevant year in advance. The biennial schedule and the event’s timing in relation to the cattle show are important points to consider when planning.

Wald also continues to celebrate a traditional Easter Monday event that dates back to the 17th century. The tradition includes schoolchildren putting verses from the Bible and hymn book on paper as creatively as possible. Creating the verses is therefore a specific part of the custom. For travellers interested in local customs, this event adds a different cultural focus to the market.

Church, choral singing and local history

The Reformed Church in Wald is listed in Category B of the Federal Inventory of Cultural Property Protection. The Wald Protestant Reformed Church community also welcomes visitors from outside the area. Wald also has a long choral tradition; today’s choir is called «chorwald». The church, church community and choral singing offer different points of interest if you are interested in the village’s religious and musical life.

The history of getting around can also be linked to a specific date: in 1805, a decision was made to build a new road from Teufen to Thal. Before that, it was almost impossible to reach Wald by carriage or other vehicles. This look back adds the village’s former accessibility to its religious and musical points of interest.

Discover more destinations: Grub, Rehetobel, Walzenhausen, Heiden, Wolfhalden, Reute

Back to the regional travel overview: Vorderland.