Schwägalp route

Since the opening of the Säntis aerial cableway in 1935, Postbuses have travelled from Urnäsch to the Schwägalp. The village of Urnäsch is impressive with its picturesque rows of houses. At the start, the trail along the Urnäsch river leads past traditional Appenzell farms through the hilly landscape. From Steinfluh, the trail becomes steep, and the Postbus takes you through hairpin bends before reaching the Schwägalp.

From Nesslau, the Postbuses are constantly in the shadow of the Säntis massif. The landscape exudes charm in both winter and summer. Passing the charming village of Ennetbühl, a natural landscape opens up with expansive pastures and forests as far as the pass and Schwägalp.

Highlights

• Urnäsch village with the Museum of Appenzell TraditionsTarget not accessible: alpine drive (Öberefahre), the Bloch, the Sennenball, the Alpstobete, the cattle show and of course the Silvesterklausen celebrations.Target not accessible
• Schwägalp with numerous opportunities to experience nature and go hiking in both summer and winter.
• Säntis – the mountain!Target not accessible A mountain that offers views, weather and experiences, and is a starting point for numerous mountain hikes. 
• Romantic Lantern TrailTarget not accessible on the Schwägalp from the end of November. On the groomed winter hiking trail, the lanterns light up every Thursday to Sunday, and daily between Christmas and the New Year.
• Well-maintained winter hiking trail over the old mountain pass road. Suitable for sledging in good snow conditions. The Postbus will take you to the SteinfluhTarget not accessible stop.

Säntis – the mountain!

The cable car to the Säntis takes less than ten minutes. Situated in magnificent natural surroundings, this area at 2,502 m above sea level offers a 360° panorama across six states, as far as Lake Constance and into the Alps. The following experiencesTarget not accessible really are worth a visit:

• Säntis – the weather mountain
• Säntis – the story
• Säntis – the geology
• Säntis – the world of ice

Having experienced the stunning views, why not take a break. In summer, the Säntis is the starting point and destination for numerous challenging mountain hikes.