Appenzell

Our personal travel and photo guide for Switzerland

Aescher Wildkirchli

National Geographic once called the “Aescher Wildkirchli” mountain-restaurant the most beautiful place in the world! Wow! This restaurant exists since 1846. To take the picture below, you should stay at the basic Hotel Ebenalp. From here you can get up early and walk down through a cave with a chapel to this amazing view point. But also the area around Ebenalp offers amazing other photo opportunities at sunset. It's so relaxing to sit outside of the restaurant terrace with a drink and watch the landscape change in the evening lights.

View from Ebenalp

Appenzell is a small area in the north-eastern part of Switzerland. This mountain and hilly region certainly offers one of the most beautiful landscapes of Switzerland with amazing hiking options in the Alpstein mountain range. Many years ago we did a spectacular trek around the mountain range starting at Hoher Kasten - walking the full circle with an overnight stay near the highest point of the range – the Säntis (2502m). It takes some stamina and you should have a good head for heights and the experience is just great.

View from Hoher Kasten

If you want to see  lovely buildings then you must visit the cute town of Appenzell. One special place to experience Appenzell is to get up early, take the car up the hills and finally walk to the ruin Clanx. From here you can watch the sunrise. You are all on your own and you see the town below which is surrounded by the hills and mountains. This is a magic place not to be missed in the morning sun.

View from ruin Clanx to Appenzell

On another trip, we timed our overnight stay when the famous Alpaufzug (cattle drives) took place:  Early in the morning you can see farmers dressed in traditional clothing and singing along while moving their goats and cows, who are also dressed with flowers and huge bells, from their winter base up into the mountain fields. A truly unforgettable experience! Check the tourism website for the best timing on www.appenzellerland.ch/en/

Alpaufzug

There are more traditions in Appenzell: An unforgettable experience is to watch one of the two – yes two – New Year’s processions. It’s one of the most enjoyable winter traditions in Switzerland and dates back to the fifteenth century the “Silvesterchlausen”. On the last day of the year and on the last day of the old Julian calendar (13th of January) – the locals dress up as one of the typical characters for this event: «beautiful», «ugly» and «forest and nature». They wear traditional masks and colourful and amazing robes. Some of the displays on their hats are just mindblowing! They have sculptured perfect minature village life and other things on these head-dresses! They ring their traditional bells and yodel and go from door to door wishing everyone a Happy New Year. They are then given hot wine or grog and the atmosphere is really special!

Silvesterchlausen

Appenzell is certainly a place that should be on everybody’s bucket list and with careful planning you can combine the beauty of the area with these amazing traditions! The region is also known for their tasty cheese, herb liquor and dogs – all called Appenzeller.

Our other published locations cover the following areas (with links):

Part 1: Berner Oberland

Part 2: Jura

Part 3: Lake Luzern

Part 4: Engadin

Part 5: Appenzell

Part 6: Aargau

Part 7: Emmental

Part 8: Romandie

Part 9: Valais

Part 10: Uri, Schwyz, Glarus

Part 11: Rhein

Part 12: Zürich

"One crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name"

(The Call - Thomas Osbert Morsdaunt, 1730-1809)

Travel blog and travel guide by Aaron Matzinger & Clare Walker

© Aaron Matzinger & Clare Walker

#Switzerland #Appenzell #Silvesterchlausen