Ennetbühl – Risipass (1457m) – Ennetbühl (Bernhalde)

This is a gentle hike through fields and farms and across beautiful Risipass. There are stunning views of Toggenburg and Alpstein on the way and all this for fairly little effort.

Start at Ennetbühl, which can be reached by bus. It is not easy to find parking spaces here but you may be lucky near the sports ground. Make your way east (towards Schwägalp) through the village until you reach the main road. Then along the main road for about 200m, where you will find a hiking sign guiding you right, off the road and onto a wide path. Very soon you will have left the road noise well behind you and enjoy the quiet fields.

Follow this path for about 3-4 km. It is fairly even and therefore really easy walking. You will see plenty of farms and cows on the way and the views across Toggenburg open up. This makes for some amazing photo opportunities.

When you get to Unterschloh, there is a four way junction and a sign guiding you to Risipass. You could continue straight and also get to the pass but this hike turns off to the left. It’s now uphill all the way to Risipass. Turn onto the road and follow it up until the first bend, where a small path turns off to the right. Now it’s up and into the woods, where the path already gets a bit less steep. Follow it along until an old stone wall, which you cross and then turn left and uphill, along it.

From here on it’s the uphill part of the hike, leading through fields and past farm houses. You will cross the quiet mountain road regularly as it winds it’s way up, while the views of Toggenburg are opening up behind you.

And then finally you arrive at Risipass, which may be one of the most beautiful passes in Appenzellerland. The way to the pass it covered in flowers during all of spring, summer and autumn. And slowly the views of Alpstein and Säntis come into view – stunning!

You can now really enjoy the views at the pass as all the hard work is done. Following Risipass, it’s a gentle downhill stroll. Follow the wide path down on the other side. It will lead across streams and stiles and through flower fields.

And then you will arrive at Luttertannen, where you have a fantastic view across the meadows and of Alpstein on your right.

Make your way across the stream to the main road, where you’ll find a bus stop a few meters to your left. The bus will take you back to the village of Ennetbühl.