A 6.6-kilometre circular trail through a scattered-settlement landscape and deeply rooted traditions give Urnäsch two distinct travel highlights. There are also winter activities, which depend on snow and the time of year. You can therefore plan your trip around specific interests: culture and village life go hand in hand with hiking and cross-country skiing, though not in the same season.

Experience village traditions

The Appenzell Traditions Museum focuses on Silvesterchläuse, alpine cattle drives, string music, alpine herders’ life, the Bloch procession, traditional costumes and painted furniture. The regional tourism organisation lists Chlausen with role-bearers, coin-spinning and bell-ringing as activities visitors can try. Alongside the museum’s various themes, there are therefore three traditions you can try for yourself.

For the recurring Bloch procession, men in historical costumes pull a five- to six-metre-long fir trunk, the Bloch, on a festively decorated wagon from Urnäsch through Hundwil and Stein to Waldstatt and back to Urnäsch. At 5 p.m., the Bloch is auctioned on the village square. The exact event schedule may vary; check the current dates if you plan to attend the procession.

Traditions also mark the passing of the year on Old and New Year’s Eve: on 31 December and 13 January, groups of beautiful, wüeschte and schö-wüeschte Chläuse make their way from house to house in Urnäsch, from dawn until late at night. They wish people a happy New Year. These dates provide a guide, but the annual arrangements may vary.

At the end of September or beginning of October, the finest cows are awarded prizes at the livestock show on Kronenplatz. Together with the New Year’s Eve traditions, this event shows how a visit can be combined with different traditions depending on the time of year. The exact annual schedule may be important when choosing the right date.

Explore on foot and enjoy winter activities

The “Discover Urnäsch” hiking route starts and ends at Urnäsch Feld. It runs via Grünau, Dürrenbach, Steinaueli, Steinenmoos, Ruppen and Bindli before returning to Urnäsch Feld. The stated distance is 6.6 kilometres, with a walking time of two hours. The trail passes through a landscape of scattered settlements and, thanks to its gentle gradient, is also suitable for families. In winter, it is marked as a winter hiking trail depending on local conditions.

The Potersalp route offers a very different scale: it starts and ends in Urnäsch and runs via Appenzell, Lehmen, Potersalp and Schwägalp. The route is 45.5 kilometres long, with a stated travel time of 5 hours and 55 minutes. At Lauftegg, it offers views of the Appenzell region and the peaks of the Alpstein. The two routes therefore differ considerably in both length and stated duration.

For winter sports, the Urnäsch cross-country ski club offers a network of around nine kilometres for skating and classic cross-country skiing. An information board at the starting point in Feld gives an overview of three different loops. The offer depends on winter conditions and snow. The Skilift Urnäsch AG also operates a ski lift and a pony lift, likewise depending on winter conditions and snow. The Osteregg ski lift is 700 metres long and runs from 850 to 1,080 metres above sea level. The trails and lifts are therefore seasonal additions to the hiking options.

Getting your bearings and local insights

The Tourist Information office on the village square advises visitors planning excursions and puts together programmes for group trips. Urnäsch is considered a family-friendly village with a picturesque village square. If you would like to combine your visit with an excursion, the Tourist Information office can help with planning; groups can also have a programme put together there.

For a glimpse of local crafts, visitors can try their hand at crafts and experience them for themselves at the 9107 Handwerkerzentrum in Urnäsch. The specific offer may vary. At the farmers’ market, numerous stalls run by farming families invite visitors to browse and sample their products; dates and details may vary here too. These two activities complement the cultural attractions with hands-on experiences and local products. Check the dates if the market or a particular craft activity is to be a fixed part of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Schönengrund, Schwellbrunn, Herisau, Stein, Hundwil, Waldstatt

Return to the higher-level travel overview: Hinterland.