Most Beautiful Places in Switzerland: Appenzell

Appenzell, Switzerland: Dream or Pasture Paradise?

why you need to add Appenzell to your bucket-list

Appenzell was our a minute decision! While browsing a map, Jake and I dropped the finger in Switzerland and decided to take 3 days to hike the region of the Alpstein region. We had never heard of Appenzell before nor knew much about Switzerland, but this turned out to be the best decision of our three-week van trip. I cannot recommend this region enough, especially for those with a love of hiking and nature!

Alpstein, Switzerland: Appenzell // Hiker’s Paradise 

Appenzellerland is a true hiker’s paradise! Whether you are a looking for the silence of an alpine lake or whether you’d like to challenge yourself with peak performance, the Alpstein—a sub-range of the Alps, has something to offer for everyone. The wide range of hiking options include routes, cablecar ascents, day hikes, and multi-day inn to inn routes!

Boasting 27 cozy mountain inns, a choice of leisurely walks to strenuous mountain hikes, and even some specially designed barefoot trails, Appenzell is sure to enchant all souls yearning for mountain air. Check out my favorite two hikes if you’d like to get more insight into the hiking of this area. 

Green Wanderlust tip: Although not a typically crowded region, Appenzell is gaining some notoriety and if you are planning a day hike, I recommend that you get an early start in order to find parking easily. Jake and I noticed there were a lot of hiking families with children, and it seems that the peak hour at the trailheads was around 9:30 am. 

Alpstein, Switzerland: Appenzell // the Cheese

Chances are, you’ve heard of Appenzeller cheese before. Considered one of the region’s best-kept traditions, the making of the Appenzeller cheese has been taking place in this region for more than 700 years. The production of the cheese is highly regulated and limited to only four cantons. 

The main ingredient setting the Appenzeller cheese apart from other Swiss counterparts is the special and secret herbal brine that is rubbed on the cheese during its aging process. Jake and I visited the Appenzeller museum one morning—which I strongly recommend if you’re a cheese lover, and spent a few minutes staring into the vial containing Appenzell’s best-kept secret: the brine. Ingredients for the brine include cloves, tarragon, juniper, rosemary, sage, and white wine but the exact list is said to only be known by two of the head cheesemakers. 

Another reason this particular cheese is so special is also due to the quality of the milk produced by the famous Brown Swiss cows, pictured below. The animal’s diet consists of the utmost freshest grass, flowers, and herbs. Like in many other cheesemaking cantons, the cows are moved to high elevations during the summer months in order to graze on the new spring growth.

If you’d like to know more, visit the Appenzeller museums and working dairy where you’ll be led through the process and magic of the cheesemaking craft. You can’t miss it, there is a giant sculpture of Appenzeller cheese in the parking lot! 

Green Wanderlust opinion: Here is the list of our personal faves that ended up embalming our van for the next two weeks (sorry Jake): Appenzeller organic green label, Appenzeller Gold label, and Appenzeller Silver label. 

Alpstein, Switzerland: Appenzell // Peace and Quiet

Quieter than the better known and crowded counterparts of the Bernese Alps and the Pennine Alps, in Appenzellerland you won’t see buses of foreign tourists flooding the mountains in masses. Instead, Alpstein is bustling with locals. Appenzell has also managed to retain its traditional character by keeping the charm of old run-down chalets and cobblestone roads.

Alpstein, Switzerland: Appenzell // Hiking Itineraries

If you are curious about the best hikes in the region, be sure to check out these two detailed guides that outlines our favorite hikes in the Alpstein region including the Schäfler Hike. The hikes we have selected are family friendly, and range from 2 and a half hours to a full 7 hours.