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Themed Forest Path

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Appenzellerland Tourismus AR

Photo: Säntis Schwebebahn, Appenzellerland Tourismus AR

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The enchanting forest of Schwägalp offers relaxation but is also used for forestry. This themed circular route shows you both faces of an ancient landscape and conveys astonishing connections at every step.

easy

Distance 1.4 km

0:20 h

50 m

57 m

1,390 m

1,339 m

About a quarter of the Swiss forest serves as protective forest against natural disasters. This themed path uses the example of Schwägalp to show the indispensable services provided by protective forest – and what can happen if it is neglected. From forestry to the cycles in the forest: you’ll also learn more about these. And you will get to know other animals: the capercaillie with its peculiar mating behavior or the shy roe deer.

Author’s recommendation

The forest path invites you from mid-November to mid-March, and even every evening between Christmas and New Year's, after dark, for walks through the snowy forest of the Schwägalp/Säntis nature experience park. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, the prepared winter hiking trail is lit by many kerosene lamps. During the winter months, the information panels are dismantled, and the path serves as a promenade.

Responsible for this content
Appenzellerland Tourismus AR

Difficulty

easy

Overall difficulty

easy

Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

Experience

Landscape

Highest point

1,390 m

Lowest point

1,339 m

Best time of year

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Track types

Asphalt

104 m

Forested/wild trail

547 m

Path

733 m

Unknown

33 m

Show elevation profile

Rest stops

Schwägalp restaurant

Tips and suggestions

https://naturerlebnispark.ch/

https://saentisbahn.ch/

Roadbook

Directly above "Säntis - the Hotel" a gravel road leads into the forest. Just a few steps, and you already enjoy the peace of the forest. This circular route passes various information panels where you can obtain interesting information about forestry and the cycles of the forest.
After a somewhat steep descent, the forest road leads about 50 m back to the starting point. Always keep to the left.

Rest stop

Tip

Nearby

Top Partner

Waypoint

Start point

End point

Low point

High point

Forecast

Today {low} to {high} and {precipitation} of {precipitation_type}

show {x} more

Photo

Video

Säntis - das Hotel
Säntis – the Hotel
Restaurant Schwägalp
Schwägalp restaurant

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

By train to Nesslau on the Toggenburg side or Urnäsch on the Appenzell side. Afterwards, the post bus takes you to Schwägalp. Please note the current timetable: https://www.sbb.ch/de/

Directions

Schwägalp is located in eastern Switzerland. Access via Nesslau or Urnäsch.

Well-maintained roads all year round
From Zurich 1.30h 101 km
From Munich 3.15 h 252 km
Access possible without motorway vignette

Parking

Ample free parking spaces available at Schwägalp.
Four disabled parking spaces directly at the valley station of the Säntis cable car
Coaches can park directly at the valley station

Electric charging stations
Two electric charging stations are located very close to the parking garage outdoors. The electric charging stations can be used as follows:

With an Evpass app (on smartphone)
With an Evpass card (a type of credit card)
With the Swisspass card from SBB
Via the app or card of an Intercharge partner (see intercharge.eu)

Coordinates

SwissGrid

2'742'283E 1'235'629N

47.256234, 9.318536

DMS

47°15'22.4"N 9°19'06.7"E

UTM

32T 524100 5233688

w3w

///farmed.visits.downs

Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

Book recommendations for this region:

Equipment

Sneakers are sufficient in the summer months. In winter, a warm winter shoe with good tread is recommended.

Localization

Parts of this content were machine translated from German.

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Difficulty

easy

Overall difficulty

easy

Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

Distance

1.4 km

Duration

0:20 h

Ascent

50 m

Descent

57 m

Highest point

1,390 m

Lowest point

1,339 m

Public-transport-friendly Round trip Refreshment stops available Family-friendly Flora Fauna Suitable for strollers

Weather at the starting point

10-day forecast

Themed Forest Path

Author’s recommendation

Track types

Rest stops

Tips and suggestions

Roadbook

Public transport

Directions

Parking

Coordinates

Book recommendations for this region:

Equipment

User Questions

Weather at the starting point

Statistics