Winterwanderweg Gais

Outsmarting the fog: This easy hike takes you from the village of Gais, awarded with the Wakker Prize, to the Stoss Pass and back again, along sunny slopes that offer a magnificent view of the Rhine Valley.

The winter hike, around eight kilometres long, begins right by the Gais stop. It initially leads through the village and out to Zwislen. Open meadows and pastures soon dominate the landscape; the houses recede, and the gently rolling Appenzell countryside sets the rhythm. With only moderate gradients, the route heads eastwards to Stoss.

Around halfway, it reaches the pass at an elevation of roughly 940 m, on the upper edge of the Rhine Valley slope. Stoss connects the Appenzellerland with the St. Gallen Rhine Valley; the Battle Chapel stands directly beside the route. The circuit then turns back towards Gais. It climbs gently once more across open terrain and reaches its highest point near Golterberg at just under 1,000 m. From there, it continues at a leisurely pace back to the first houses. At the village square, the route passes directly by the Reformed church, a cultural property of national significance, and ends back at the Gais stop after just over two and a half hours.