Gais – Sommersberg (1177m) – Gabris (1250m) – Gais

Gais is a quiet, pretty little town in Appenzellerland, east Switzerland. This wonderful short hike starts and finishes in the centre of the town passing over rolling hills and the “peaks” of Sommersberg and Gabris. With of course, glorious views all around!

Start in the centre of Gais, a quiet, pretty little town in Appenzellerland, east Switzerland. There is a train station and parking in the square by the church.

From the square, walk towards the train station and turn left just before, walking past the train tracks and the sports field. Keep following the train tracks across the roundabout and around until the path turns off it, slightly uphill and the turns left towards Sommersberg.

Follow the path all the way to Stoss, where you cross the road and turn right onto the path leading up Sommersberg on the other side. It’s a gentle uphill through the meadows with the occasional bench for a rest.

Soon the path will lead through leafy woods, where it gets steep, all the way up to the top of Sommersberg. Up here you are rewarded with wonderful views of the Swiss, Austrian and Liechtenstein Alps. There is also a restaurant at the top.

Make your way across the top and follow the road on the other side. It leads slightly downhill, featuring great views into the Rhine valley. The road will lead into the woods again and after about 200m, take the path leading downhill to the right.

It leads across more meadows and then uphill again to a couple of farmhouses. There is another bench on the way up. When you meet a road again, turn right along it and immediately left again. There is a beautiful row of trees along here and some stunning views of Alpstein.

Soon you will reach Gäbrisseeli, which means “little Gäbris lake”. It’s extremely beautiful with views of the alps all around – and you will spot fish and if it is springtime, thousands and thousands of tadpoles.

Continue past the lake and after another 30 minutes of easy strolling you will reach the top of Gäbris.

From Gäbris, there are more stunning views all around! There’s a restaurant 10 minutes before reaching the top and a second one on Gäbris itself – so plenty of opportunity to sit and enjoy these incredible views.

From the top, return to the road and turn left. It leads straight down and at the next farmhouse, the hike turns onto a little path behind the house. Follow this path, meandering through the meadows, until it meets a road again and more farmhouses. There are only a few meters along the road and then the path turns off again to the left. An easy uphill section leads you to a ridge with a bench above Gais. More views to enjoy from here.

Now it’s only a few more minutes and you will be back in beautiful Gais.