Experiencing the Swiss way of life with my legs, an iPhone, and a 360° camera.
Welcome to the Swiss Alps is the best way to introduce Segment 4 of the Alpine Panorama Trail. This section is dominated by the size and splendor of the Alpstein Massif and Mt. Säntis. Until this section and more specifically until the Risipass, the Alpstein has been the primary mountain view. After Risipass, the romantic…
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 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 –…
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 2 – Trogen to Appenzell Length: 8 miles (13 km); Hiking time: 4 h; Ascent: 1,900 ft (580 m); Descent: 2,300 ft (700 m); Fitness level: Medium. Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 2, #1. Segment 2 starts in the town of Trogen. I give a history of the town in…
What actually makes Appenzeller® cheese unique? Is it the idyllic mountains, in which Appenzeller® cheese has been produced for more than 700 years? The traditional recipe and handicraft used by about 50 village cheese dairies? The secret herbal brine, with which it is treated? Or the culture, in which it is embedded? These are the…
Swiss Alpine Panorama Trail, Segment 1 – Rorschach to Trogen Length: 10.5 miles (17 km); Hiking time: 5 h 45 min; Ascent: 3,600 ft (1100 m); Descent: 2,030 ft (620 m); Fitness level: Difficult. I stop at an idyllic local Swiss farm with a view of Lake Constance (Bodensee). I walk through the farm; past…
The Rotsteinpass Berggasthaus is near the Säntis Peak on the Alpstein massif and in the Appenzeller Region. When “Alp Hopping,” hiking from Berggasthaus to Berggasthaus, trying the local dishes at each location is a specialty. All the Alp Houses on the Alpstein massif are going to be serving Appenzeller cheese. Farm fresh eggs are also…
“A special piece of earth where magic lives.” The Meglisalp Berggasthaus offers a unique experience with an alpine campus including their restaurant, guest house, cabins, a chapel and whiskey cellar. Built in 1861, the Meglisalp Berggasthaus goes back in history to at least 1071 when it was first mentioned in a letter to the abby…
Seealpsee Berggasthaus is a beautiful must-see stop while hiking the Alpstein trails. Luckily, you can hike to the Seesalpsee Alp House from Säntis Alp (Meglisalp Berggasthaus) or Eban Alp (Äscher Berggasthaus). The hike down from Meglisalp can be a challenging in one section but is otherwise a normal Alpine path that drops into a forest.…