Hike /Schweiz Mobil
Appenzeller Weg, Stage 1/3
Rankweil (A)Appenzell
- Distance
- 28.0 km
- Duration
- 7:25 h
- Ascent
- 740 m
- Descent
- 420 m
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Fitness
- Hard
- Route type
- One way
- Season
- March - October
01/ Overview
The route
The fertile Rhine plains and Paspels bathing lake lie between the Rankweil fortified church and the Blatten hilltop castle in Oberriet. From Hirschensprung to Appenzell, the old pilgrimage path is lined with chapels, shrines and small pilgrimage churches.
This long day hike links Rankweil in Vorarlberg with Appenzell, following marked hiking trails throughout. The starting point is not served by public transport; the nearest stop, Oberriet SG, Eichau, is around 7 km away. Just over seven hours should be allowed for the 28 km route.
Initially, the trail crosses open countryside and reaches the shore of the former gravel pit lake. Meadows and woodland then alternate before the route passes the Hirschensprung chapel. After the lower-lying section of the valley, the longer ascent begins. Near Fähnerenspitz, the hike reaches its highest point at just over 1,000 m; shortly before it stands the Maria Bildstein chapel in the forest.
The trail continues to Appenzell via Eggerstanden and Steinegg. Shortly before the destination, it passes the parish church of St. Mauritius, with its Neoclassical nave dating from 1824/25. From here it is not far to the end of the route; the Appenzell, Adlerplatz stop is around 200 m away.
02/ Along the route
What's along the way
Where the route climbs and where it descends. Hover the profile to find the spot on the map.
03/ Conditions
Current conditions
What to know before you set off. Closures and snow are re-checked every day.
How we check: Every night we match the route against the official closures and detours from the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO). Any reported closure that touches the route shows up here.
How we check: We look up a live public transport connection from your starting point to the stop closest to the trailhead. If it ends further away, the nearest stop may be a cable car or bus that isn't running right now.
How we check: Snow depth estimated daily at the lowest and the highest point of the route. Estimates: check the situation on site.
04/ Getting there
Getting there
From your door to the trailhead and home again, by train and bus or by car. Computed live from the timetable.
Or from
Outbound
Return
05/ Weather
Weather on the way
Forecast for the lowest and the highest point of the route.
Weather
06/ Trail & landscape
Trail & landscape
Which paths you walk on and the landscape they lead through.
07/ Snow
Snow on the route
Snow depths, new snow and forecast. Estimates: check the situation on site before you set off.
Snow Info
Comparative snow depth is only available from November 1 to June 30.
08/ Export
Take the route with you
Load the track onto your GPS device, print a route sheet for the trail or send the route to your hiking group.
Share
Send the link to friends or your hiking group.
Export GPX File
For hiking apps, GPS watches and navigation devices.
Print Route Sheet
A4 with map, elevation profile, waypoints and emergency numbers.
