Herisau – St Peterzell – Wattwil

This is a long hike along the Via Jacobi which leads through the rolling hills of Appenzell and St. Gallen. It can be shortened by returning to the start from St. Peterzell but it is so very beautiful that you will want to go the whole way – or stay overnight in St. Peterzell and make it a 2 day hike.

Start the hike in Herisau and follow the signs of the Via Jacobi No 4. Once you leave the town, the path will start sloping upwards and will slowly gain height.

Soon you will reach the first hilltop where the is a bench inviting for a short break. There are always plenty of benches around on this hike.

Walk through Nieschberg and keep following the Via Jacobi hiking signs. Navigating a few more hills left and right, you will soon reach Säntisblick. From here, keep following the ridge from which you have a lovely view of Schwellbrunn on the right, perched on the ridge of a hill.

On the other side we have lovely views of Alpstein and can even see the Churfirsten area.

You will soon reach Risi where you pass a number of restaurants. The path leads below a ski lift down towards Landscheidi where you will find another restaurant of the same name. Cross the road and pass the restaurant. The path now leads gently uphill again and then navigates a few more hills.

Soon you will reach Chäseren, a little village with a restaurant. There is also a hill to the side of the village with a bench on the top which invites for a lunch break with a great view.

Continue towards Ämisegg along some cute paths and from here on it is downhill all the way into St. Peterzell.

In St. Peterzell you could end the hike and take the buss and train back to Herisau. If you want to continue, cross the river Necker and make your way uphill again on the other side. There are more stunning views along this section, so make sure to have a look around.

There is another downhill to cross Niederwillbach and then a gentle uphill again on the other side. The path then leads towards Scherrer where you will find a restaurant called Churfirsten view.

From here on its downhill all the way into Wattwil where you can follow the signs to the train station. Trains to Herisau go fairly regularly, so you can quickly get back to the starting point of the hike.