Kulturspur Appenzellerland, Stage 3/6

From the busy centre of Herisau, the route takes you further towards the Mittelland district of Appenzell. After crossing two gorges and passing the former district capital of Hundwil, the secluded Strom swimming area in the Sitter Gorge and the Wonnenstein Friary, you will reach Teufen, where merchants’ and manufacturers’ houses built in the Rococo style hark back to a prosperous past.

The starting point is just a few steps from the Herisau, Obstmarkt bus stop. At the outset, the route passes the listed Reformed church and climbs out of the town. Across open meadows and through short stretches of woodland, it reaches the highest point near Buechberg at around 900 m.

The trail then continues with steady ascents and descents. The roughly five-hour hike follows marked hiking trails throughout, linking woodland, open countryside and the villages of Appenzellerland. In Hundwil, it passes the Reformed church before continuing via Pfand to Stein AR. There, directly on the route, stands the Reformed church built in 1749 by Jakob and Hans Ulrich Grubenmann.

Beyond Stein, the trail descends through the forest towards Mühltobel. It then climbs once more via Niederteufen. Shortly before the destination, the route passes Teufen’s Baroque Reformed church; a few steps later, the hike ends at the railway station. The approximately 15-kilometre route involves around 800 metres of elevation gain.