Säntis (Appenzell)

September is a great time to travel and not just because the people are back from their vacation but usually the weather is fantastic too. We took advantage of that and took the cable car from the Schwägalp to the highest mountain in the region. 

The Säntis is 2501m above sea level and part of the Alpstein, The panorama is great and one can see Germany, Austria, Lichtenstein and some peaks from Italy as well as Switzerland.

There is a old weather station at the top was built in 1882, and it's fully automated these days.

The restaurant on top provides a fantastic buffet with fresh bread and Bircher Müesli and other local specialties, such as Appenzeller cheese and Birnbrot (Pear Bread).

In the past, the Appenzeller land was a closed off regions and as such is home of a lot of traditions. One that is still practiced every year is leading the younger cows up the the alpine meadows in the spring and bringing them back home again in the fall. In the fall, it's called Alpabfahrt. The Senn (care taker) and his helpers dress up in the traditional uniform with a red vest and yellow pants. How to get the leather pants this yellow, is a closely guarded secret, like the recipe for the Appenzeller cheese.

Appenzeller Land

A mountain range called Alpstein occupies most of the canton of Appenzell. We took the cable car from Brülisau up to the Hohen Kasten. The recently renovation included a revolving restaurant. After checking out the view we started hiking towards Staubern, where the Drei Faltigkeiten can be seen on the other side of the range and then continued to the Saxer Lücke, where the Kreuzberge stand out like shark teeth. To the left, it goes down to the Rhine valley and the mountains on the other side are located in Austria. From here it goes down to the lodge Bollenwese at the Fälensee. After a well deserved bier we headed back to Brülisau.

Hoher Kasten

Staubern

Drei Faltigkeiten

Kreuzberge from Saxer Lücke

Bollenwese

Fälensee

When we arrive in Brülisau we proudly look up where we started earlier this morning. We are tired and are so glad to be able to take of our hiking boots.

 

Hoher Kasten from Brülisau

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