News & Specials–Discover the Appenzell summer

Dear Guests

We’ve compiled our most beautiful hikes and e-bike tips into a delightful collection of experiences you won’t want to miss on your next visit to Hof Weissbad. You have the option to rent city e-bikes and e-mountain bikes from our hotel and—with a picnic basket in hand or on the rack—spend unforgettable hours exploring the area around Hof Weissbad. Discover the Appenzell region off the beaten path—just as beautiful, yet idyllically secluded, often romantic, and sometimes wild.

By city e-bike in Weesen (AI)

Don’t worry, Weesen in AI is closer than Weesen in SG. Take a leisurely ride on a city e-bike along the signposted bike route to Meistersrüte. Before the meeting point, turn left onto Weesenstrasse and, after a ten-minute climb, you’ll reach the hamlet of Brenden and, just beyond it, the Weesen viewpoint.

Information and tips on the city e-bike route:

• Approx. 22 km bike route: Weissbad – Appenzell – Lehn – Meistersrüte – Brenden – Weesen – Meistersrüte – Eggerstanden – Steinegg – Weissbad.
• Tip 1: Take the footpath on Brenden toward Saul to the scenic bench
• Tip 2: On the way back, stop at the Egg and from there take a 5-minute walk up to the Fuchsenkreuz (a spectacular viewpoint overlooking the Appenzell region)

Suitable for: leisure cyclists and e-bike beginners. The time estimates are based on a bicycle without electric assistance.
Duration: (about) 1.5 hours by e-city bike/e-bike; without, approx. 2 hours 50 minutes
Elevation gain: 502 m

A place to fall in love with: Mystical high moor above Kaubad

The moderately difficult hike starts in Weissbad. The ascent from Weissbad to Neuenalp will really get your heart pumping. Once at the top, a paradisiacal high moor landscape replaces the pastureland. The Helchen high moor may be small, but it is one of 549 high moors of national importance in Switzerland. You tread carefully across the peat in the high moor, as it grows at a slow rate of just 1 mm per year. Hiking westward, you reach the alps of the Vorder- and Hinter-Wasserschaffen. Via the Alp Blatten, the route leads to the Scheidegg Mountain Inn steep and steadily ascending, a section of the trail leads past the St. James Chapel up to the Kronberg.

Information and tips on the hiking route:

• Hiking route: Weissbad – Melcheulisspitz – Klosterspitz – Scheidegg – St. Jakob – Kronberg
• Tip: Discover the Mystical High Moor by public transportation. Take the Appenzeller Railways to the Jakobsbad stop, float up to Kronberg on the cable car, and start your hike from the Kronberg summit.

Suitable for: families and people in good physical condition
Duration: 4 hours
Elevation gain (uphill): 1,050 m

Take the e-mountain bike to Leuenfall

Just a few kilometers from the farm, and you’re already in a mystical world. The Leuenfall is considered a place of spirituality. The roaring water has a calming effect. And in summer, it’s refreshing too. Here and there, you might hear yodeling, which delights those present with its traditional Ruggusseli enjoyable.

Info and tips on the bike route:

• Approx. 4.8 km bike route: Weissbad – Lehmen
• From Lehmen, walk about 800 m toward Ahorn; after the bridge, turn left onto the footpath to Leuenfall
• Tip for the ambitious: head back to Lehmen and take the e-mountain bike via Potersalp to Schwägalp. Return via the same route or take the cantonal road through Urnäsch – Gonten – Appenzell – Weissbad. Make sure the battery is fully charged for this route.

Suitable for: leisure cyclists/e-bikers. The time estimates are based on a bicycle without electric assistance.
Duration: 30 minutes by e-city bike/e-bike; about 1 hour without
Elevation gain (uphill): 164 m

Challenging hike over the Hoher Kasten to Lake Fählensee

From the parking lot at the valley station of the Brülisau Cable Car – Hoher Kasten (the cable car opens on July 4, 2020) the journey begins across lush green meadows and past typical Appenzell farmhouses toward Gasthaus Ruhesitz. You can either take the direct route to Lake Fählensee (2 hrs, 45 mins) or choose the ascent to the Hoher Kasten for a challenging day hike.

The revolving restaurant on the Hoher Kasten is currently open on weekends when the weather is nice, and then daily from July 4 through the end of October. The hike from Brülisau to the Hoher Kasten takes about 2.5 hours.

The route continues for about 3 hours on the Geological Panorama Trail, which runs along the ridge from the Hoher Kasten via Staubern past the Saxerlücke to Bollenwees. The panoramic view is breathtaking. Well over 300 peaks tempt you time and again to pause and let your mind wander. The geological phenomena of the Alpstein are explained on 15 information boards. For the descent from the Bollenwees it takes about 2 hours to get back to Brülisau.

Those returning from the Hoher Kasten via Gasthaus Ruhesitz hike, you can rent a scooter there and speed back to Brülisau on the paved road.

This hike can also be extended into a two-day hike, with an overnight stay at Bollenwees Mountain Inn.

Information and tips on the hiking route:

• Lake Fählensee is perfect for a refreshing dip—don’t forget your swimsuit.
• At Gasthaus Ruhesitz, you can rent a scooter and helmet for 15 francs for the 3-kilometer descent to Brülisau.
• Alpine cheese is available for purchase at Alp Soll.
• Check out the website www.hoherkasten.ch

Suitable for: People in good physical condition and experienced hikers
Duration: almost 8 hours
Elevation gain: 1,440 m

We’d be happy to advise you at our front desk and look forward to welcoming you soon here at the foot of the Alpstein.

Your Hof Team