Schönengrund is in the Appenzeller Hinterland at the foot of the Alpstein. At 1,275 metres, Hochhamm is considered the village’s local mountain and is a destination for both a hike from Schönengrund and a snowshoeing circuit. There is also a story trail, a cultural trail, and historic buildings that offer insights into the village’s history. Which of these aspects you focus on can help you plan your stay.
Choose a hiking trail by time and distance
The Schönengrund Story Trail is a circular route exploring a theme drawn from the local forests: witches and demons. It is 5 km long, takes about 1.5 hours, and has 205 metres of ascent. The Schönengrund Cultural Trail has a different focus and leads to architectural landmarks from the village’s eventful history. It is listed as 7.5 km long, with 240 metres of ascent and a walking time of about 2½ hours. This makes it possible to compare the two trails by both theme and stated distance and duration.
Another hike leads from Schönengrund to Hochhamm. It is just under 10 km long and takes about 3¼ hours. The three route descriptions give you different points of reference for planning your day: the Story Trail is the shorter circuit, while the Hochhamm hike is the longest of the walking routes listed. Allow time for breaks as well as the trail; walking time does not necessarily represent the total duration of an outing.
The Story Trail and village history
Seven comics along the Story Trail bring part of the local history to life. Primary school pupils from Schönengrund designed the illustrations, which are based on stories from the Schönengründler book and reflect the village’s history. The comics were installed in summer 2020. There are rest areas at several scenic spots, including a fire pit with seating. The circuit thus combines its theme of witches and demons with local stories and places to take a break.
The Cultural Trail also draws attention to Schönengrund’s past. Old houses with extensions and entire factory sites still bear witness to the era of weaving mills, embroidery businesses, spinning mills, printing works, and bleaching works. In the first quarter of the 20th century, the village had numerous textile factories and a bleaching works that employed a considerable number of workers. The varied building styles make this industrial history visible in the village landscape, while the Cultural Trail connects it with a walk through the area.
The Appenzeller Weg, which passes through Schönengrund, offers another way to take in cultural sights and architecture along the way. Typical painted townhouses and numerous cultural attractions are located along the route. If you choose your outings by theme, there are several different ways to explore the village’s history: the architectural heritage along the Cultural Trail, the comics and stories on the Story Trail, or the houses and sights along the Appenzeller Weg.
Winter outings and getting there
When snow conditions are suitable, the Schönengrund cross-country skiing centre has four trails in total. These include a 1.8 km night trail, lit until 9:30 pm. Snowshoers can take a circuit from Schönengrund to Hochhamm. It is rated WT1, involves 450 metres of ascent, and has a stated ascent time of 1:15 to 1:30 hours. This time applies to the ascent, not the entire circuit. Both winter activities are seasonal and depend on suitable snow conditions; check conditions before planning your outing.
Schönengrund can be reached by train and bus. The train journey goes via St. Gallen and Herisau, followed by a PostBus ride to the village. If you are travelling by public transport, check connections for your travel date. The stated walking times, elevation gains, and seasonal conditions provide concrete guidance when choosing activities, whether your stay is mainly about hiking, village history, or winter sports.
Discover more destinations: Schwellbrunn, Hundwil, Waldstatt, Urnäsch, Stein, Herisau.
Return to the main travel overview: Hinterland.
