Once again and certainly not for the last time we visited the canton of Appenzell. We often return to this area because of the beautiful views, attractive hiking trails and the short distance from Winterthur. Furthermore, I love their cheese, right after gruyère.

This trail leads along a mountain ridge. As you hike, you have the Rhine valley and the urbanised part of the region on one side, and nature in all its glory on the opposite side. From the path you can see the beautifully situated lake Sämtisersee in the middle of the mountains, as well as the well-known mountain Säntis (2,501.9 m). If you have not yet been to the top, I highly recommend it, because the views are amazing. But this is a different route.

The hike starts at the top of Hoher Kasten (1,793 m), located on the border between the cantons of Appenzell Innerrhoden and St. Gallen. It is reached by mountain railway from the Brülisau Kastenbahn stop (bus no. 192 from the railway station in Weissbad). Those who wish can climb to the top of this mountain on their own power. However, this is an additional 2.5 hours and a climb of around 866 metres upwards.

At the top it is worth stopping off, or rather going around the station to enjoy the amazing view. It is better to have a warm sweatshirt and jacket with you, as it is cold and windy. The ground is also quite difficult and requires good shoes and concentration.

Along the way you pass three places to eat and drink – Restaurant Hoher Kasten, Berggasthaus Staubern, Berggasthaus Ruhesitz.

On the last part of the route from Berggasthaus Ruhesitz to Brülisau we saw people going down on vehicles resembling larger scooters. At home, I did some internet research and discovered that these vehicles are called Trottinett and you can rent one (it cost CHF 15 at the time) and then ride about 3 km downhill. The descent looked quite exciting. Maybe next time …