In Weissbad, the options range from the history of a local baked speciality to trails along the Weissbach and an outdoor ice rink. When planning your trip, you can start by choosing between culture, scenery and outdoor activities. Other destinations in the Schwende-Rüte district also offer a glimpse of the wider Alpstein area.
Bärli-Biber: history and making your own
The first Bärli-Biber were baked in Weissbad more than 60 years ago. At Bärli-Biber World, an interactive exhibition takes you through the history, ingredients and production of these specialities. This lets you learn about the background to the baked treat and how it is made, all in one place.
With expert guidance, visitors can make their own large Bärli-Biber, weighing 510 g. The exhibition and the hands-on activity have different focuses: one explores history and ingredients, while the other centres on the making process itself.
Trails with different highlights
The “Steene- ond Lateene-Weeg” is a winter hiking trail in Weissbad that is prepared seasonally. It follows the Weissbach and crosses it via a footbridge. During Advent and the Christmas season, a wooden nativity scene with large figures is set up along the trail; the specific days when it is displayed may vary. This gives the trail a seasonal connection to Christmas alongside its riverside route.
“Rondom s Wissbad” has a different focus: the route crosses meadows and offers views of the Hoher Kasten. If you are looking for a trail with scenic views, it offers a different experience from the winter hiking trail along the Weissbach.
The “Abseits vom Alltag” route leads to the Ahorn Chapel, which is considered a pilgrimage chapel. It also offers the option of a detour to the nearby Leuenfall. This route therefore combines a cultural destination with the possibility of a detour to a waterfall. Trail conditions may vary seasonally.
The three trails can be distinguished by their described features: the stream and footbridge on the “Steene- ond Lateene-Weeg”; meadows and views of the Hoher Kasten on “Rondom s Wissbad”; and the chapel and possible detour to Leuenfall on “Abseits vom Alltag”. This helps you choose a theme without treating the routes as the same.
Ice skating and a circular walk
The Glandenstein natural ice rink in Weissbad is an outdoor rink for ice skating and playing hockey. It is free to use. As the rink is weather-dependent, check the current operating conditions before your visit.
A circular walk starts at the Eschböhl hiking car park near Weissbad. Along the way, it offers views of the Pre-Alps and Lake Constance region, as well as impressions of the Alpstein area. It adds a circular walk with these regional views to the local trails.
A wider view of the Schwende-Rüte district
Weissbad is one of the localities in the Schwende-Rüte district. Most of the Alpstein also belongs to this district, as do the three mountain lakes Seealpsee, Sämtisersee and Fählensee. These destinations are part of the district’s wider geographical setting and offer a different point of reference from the trails described in Weissbad.
A cable car in the district takes visitors to Hoher Kasten, at 1,795 m above sea level; the “Geological Trail” themed hiking route also begins there. The aerial cableway to Ebenalp serves as a starting point for both easy and challenging mountain hikes. The prehistoric Wildkirchli caves lie just below Ebenalp.
The Ebenalp-Horn ski area is also part of the Schwende-Rüte district. At the Horn ski lift in Schwende, illuminated slopes allow visitors to ski into the evening. Thus, alongside mountain lakes and hiking destinations, the district also has a ski area with a specifically mentioned evening offering.
For the broader travel overview: Wasserauen.
