Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 3, Appenzell–Schwägalp
- Length: 10 miles (16 km);
- Hiking time: 5.5 h;
- Ascent: 3,775 ft (1150 m);
- Descent: 1,900 ft (580 m);
- Fitness Level: Difficult.
More about the 510 km Alpine Panorama Trail: https://www.schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/routes/national-routes/route-03.html
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 3, #1 – Appenzell–Schwägalp After a brief hike introduction, I start on my way out of the town of Appenzell. The weather is a concern for this hike. I hope you enjoy watching me as I predict, mispredict and encounter the changing weather of the Alps. This hike has some great views of the Alpstein Massif, an outcropping of mountains North of the traditional line of the Alps. This video has some trains in it as well.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 3, #2 – Appenzell–Schwägalp The Swiss place their campgrounds in the strangest places. In this video, we walk through a campsite that is halfway up the mountain, in the middle of a field. A while later, I enter a pine forest for an immersive few minutes of 360° video. Sit back and enjoy.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 3, #3 – Appenzell–Schwägalp I reach the first pass and discover a fantastic view of the Alpstein Massif. This is some great Alp action, make sure to download the highest-quality version. Dramatic clouds and bright sunshine grace me while I walk along the Kronberg ridge toward the Alp Wasserschaffen. I talk about hikes around the Alpstein and beginning at Santis. We are now in the Alps so make sure and subscribe to see more.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 3, #4 – Appenzell–Schwägalp Spectacular view at the Berggasthaus Scheidegg on my way to St. Jakob Chapel. Once at the Chapel, I have a snack and let the camera run while looking at the Alpstein. My snack is a special Alp Cheese (Alpkäse) from this mountain, Kronberg. I also have an Appenzeller Jager Stick.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 3, #5 – Appenzell–Schwägalp I begin the video at 3,000 above our starting point in Appenzell. I’m in the clouds and approaching the peak of Kronberg. Once at the peak, the clouds take over and I call out to my son Ryan. A short descent later, I’m swimming in dramatic cloud currents.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 3, #6 – Appenzell–Schwägalp Take advantage of what you can and I have a great time boot skiing. However, I didn’t like the remaining snow in the Schwägalp valley because it was deep and unpredictable. I postponed Stage 4 until the summer due to the snow and mountain weather I encountered during this video.
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 3, #7 – Appenzell–Schwägalp A final trudge through the snow got me to the cable car base station for Säntis Alp only 10.3 miles and 5+ hours after my start in Appenzell. This is a nice summary video and I highly recommend Segment 3.