Schwende is a pretty village set in the foothills of the Appenzell Alps and surrounded by lush rambling landscapes. Escape your workday stress and relax amid a region blessed by the hand of Mother Nature. Ride cable cars to sky-high peaks, hike along immaculate trails and ski at friendly resorts. Tour Schwende’s neighboring villages to get a true sense of the Alpine way of life.
Put on your walking shoes and venture into the heart of the Alpstein. Discover forest-covered valleys, flower-filled meadows, tranquil lakes and towering peaks. Find superb trails around the Hoher Kasten and Kronberg mountains or take your shoes off to follow the Gonten Barefoot Trail. Travel via cable car from Wasserauen to Ebenalp. Another cable car takes you to 8,209-foot (2,502-meter) high Säntis, the tallest Alpstein peak.
About a 10-minute drive or 1-hour walk away is Appenzell. While here, stroll down Hauptgasse street and admire the many building façades decorated with frescoes. View striking landmarks such as Appenzell Castle and the tiny Heiligkreuzkapelle church. Learn about local history at Appenzeller Volkskunde Museum and browse art exhibitions at Ziegelhütte Art Gallery. Sample several varieties of beer while taking a tour of the family-run Appenzell Brewery.
Catch a train or hike for 2 hours to Gais. Admire the superbly preserved townscape, characterized by gable-roofed and half-timbered houses. Appreciate the work of Johann Ulrich Fitzi at the Village Square Museum. Enjoy panoramic views over the Rhine Valley and toward Austria’s Vorarlberg mountain range from Gäbris peak.
During the winter months a blanket of snow turns the mountains and hiking trails into popular skiing destinations. Explore groomed and open terrain at Ebenalp Wasserauen-Schwende Ski Area and Kronberg Ski Area. Starkenmühle has great cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Have fun on the toboggan run at Altstätten.
Reach Schwende by taking a train from major Swiss cities, including Bern, Lucerne and Zurich. This is a German-speaking village but English is spoken at the guesthouse and hotels.
