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Hiking Trail recommended route Hiking Trail  · Heiden

Joke trail

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Appenzellerland Tourismus AR Verified partner 
  • Der Dorfplatz Heiden
    Der Dorfplatz Heiden
    Photo: Marcel Steiner, Appenzellerland Tourismus AR

Selected alternatives for you
    Laughing, hiking, and unique views over Lake Constance
    easy
    Distance 8.1 km
    2:10 h
    164 m
    283 m
    805 m
    671 m
    On this hike, we get to know the Appenzell humor and let ourselves be carried away into the stunning landscape of the Appenzell region. The breathtaking view stretches over Lake Constance, into southern Germany, the Rhine delta, and the Bregenz Bay. At the stations Heiden and Walzenhausen, we can log into the web app, which is used at various joke stations. At the station in Heiden stands the joke box, where we learn more about the origin of the lively tradition of the Appenzell joke. Along the way, there are audio pillars, and the Appenzell joke can be experienced with all senses. Discoverers, take note: Funny elements and artistic interventions can be found all along the trail. 

    Author’s recommendation

    The hike on the joke trail quickly becomes a comfortable and affordable adventure round trip: With two mountain railways, post bus, and boat, we explore the unique Appenzell region above Lake Constance. The boat tour is possible from May to mid-October. More information at www.witzerlebnis.ch.
    Difficulty
    easy
    Overall difficulty
    easy

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    805 m
    Lowest point
    671 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Asphalt 11.61%Dirt road 1.76%Forested/wild trail 29.06%Path 26.40%Road 31.15%
    Asphalt
    937 m
    Dirt road
    142 m
    Forested/wild trail
    2.3 km
    Path
    2.1 km
    Road
    2.5 km
    Show elevation profile

    Rest stops

    Hotel Heiden
    Linde Hotel cooperative, Heiden
    Fireplace Gmeindli
    Gambrinus pizzeria and guest house
    Meyerhans bakery and pastry shop

    Safety information

    Until 1.5.2026, note detour at Wolfhalden Vorderdorf: approx. 30 minutes more hiking time. 

    Tips and suggestions

    Detailed timetables and travel suggestions at www.witzerlebnis.ch

    Roadbook

    The joke trail is clearly marked with the well-known yellow rhombus of the Swiss hiking trails and an additional green marking on the signpost.

    The hike begins in the Biedermeier village of Heiden on the village square. It is recommended to take your time and take a tour around the village. In the afternoons from May to October, the church tower can be climbed in good weather. The climb is worth it, enjoying a magnificent view over the entire Lake Constance region. On the first section of the trail, you hike on wide paths to Wolfhalden. This part mainly runs on hard and gravel surfaces and is suitable for (sporty) strollers. Shortly after Heiden, you enjoy the first free view of Lake Constance. In Wolfhalden, you pass through the village, passing the small local museum as well as the Krone inn. Then follows a section in the shady forest of the Klustobel. Leaving the forest, the trail crosses the main road and climbs up to Sonder, the so-called "Chistenpass". In good weather, Maja's Take Away invites you to linger there. Always with a view of Lake Constance, you first take a short stretch on the road and then follow gravel and meadow paths via Sommersberg and Hostet towards Walzenhausen station. In Walzenhausen, the team of the Bahnhofs restaurant with its own patisserie looks forward to your visit.

    The return trip to Heiden follows either directly by post bus or as an adventure round trip with the cogwheel railway to Rheineck, from there by boat to Rorschach, and finally by the second cogwheel railway back to Heiden.

    On the way, a transfer to the post bus is possible in Wolfhalden village or at the Hueb.

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    Photo
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    Hotel Heiden
    Sonderegger Wines
    Linde Hotel cooperative, Heiden
    Wolfhalden Museum
    Vacation apartment and B&B Raetia
    Fireplace Gmeindli
    Bänkli Witzweg
    Gambrinus pizzeria and guest house
    Meyerhans bakery and pastry shop
    JUST World

    Public transport

    Public-transport-friendly

    By train from Rorschach to Heiden station. 

    From Walzenhausen, the mountain railway runs to Rheineck, from there by train further to St.Gallen or Chur, or by boat to Rorschach. Or the post bus back to Heiden.

    Directions

    From St. Margrethen on the B7 to Rheineck, then left over Lutzenberg and Wolfhalden to Heiden

    Parking

    Parking available at Heiden station

    Coordinates

    SwissGrid
    2'758'207E 1'257'119N
    DD
    47.445828, 9.536424
    DMS
    47°26'45.0"N 9°32'11.1"E
    UTM
    32T 540441 5254848
    w3w 
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    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Book recommendations for this region:

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    Equipment

    Comfortable hiking or sports shoes, weather-appropriate clothing

    User Questions


    May 30, 2023
    Urs Aebi  
    Kann ich leider nicht beantworten, da ich über GA verfüge und mich nicht darum kümmern musste.
    June 02, 2023
    Simone Mesmer  
    Hallo Marlies Es gibt ein Pauschalticket - dieses "Witzerlebnis-Ticket" ist unter ostwind.ch/witzerlebnis oder an allen Billettautomaten, Verkaufsschaltern in der Ostschweiz und BSB Schiffanlegestellen erhältlich. Herzliche Grüsse, Celina von Appenzellerland Tourismus
    June 02, 2023
    Marlies Kaufmann
    Questioner
    Hallo Celina Danke für die Info - werde so ein Ticket lösen. Gruss Marlies

    March 31, 2022
    Urs Aebi  
    Die Wanderung haben wir am 1. Juni 2020 gemacht. Der Weg ist vermutlich von Frühling bis Herbst begehbar. Es gibt keine Führung und damit auch keine bestimmten Daten. Sie können den Weg selber ablaufen, er ist gut beschildert und die Witze finden sie auf den entsprechenden Tafeln. Wünsche ihnen viel Spass.
    March 31, 2022
    Steffen Egelhofer  
    Detaillierte Fahrpläne und Reisevorschläge unter www.erlebnisrundfahrt.ch

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    Difficulty
    easy
    Overall difficulty
    easy

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    8.1 km
    Duration
    2:10 h
    Ascent
    164 m
    Descent
    283 m
    Highest point
    805 m
    Lowest point
    671 m
    Public-transport-friendly Scenic Refreshment stops available Family-friendly Linear route Cultural/historical interest

    Weather at the starting point

    10-day forecast

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