Alpine Panorama Trail
Overview
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Distance 19 km
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Duration 6 h 15 min
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Ascent 1200 m
Intro
The climb to the health resort of Heiden (Henri Dunant Museum) and to Kaienspitz is rewarded by extensive views of the Bodensee and to Alpstein. Then via Rehetobel down to Chastenloch and up to Trogen, a village where provincial assemblies were once held.
Description
A distance of 510 km and 35,000 altitude meters distributed over 29 sections – this is the Alpine Panorama Trail between Rorschach and Geneva. It leads from Lake Constance all the way to Switzerland’s Riviera on Lake Geneva, crossing the Appenzell region, the Toggenburg Valley, central Switzerland, the Emmental Valley, the Schwarzenburg and the Gruyère regions. The first leg starts at the Kornhaus, a landmark of the town of Rorschach. This granary was built between 1746 and 1749. Today it houses an adventure museum. The hike begins with a lovely walk along the lake promenade. After the train station the trail heads inland, going slightly uphill. Passing Wiggen Castle, built in 1580, it crosses the motorway a short while later. You gradually leave civilisation behind now. Soon the hiking path leads to Wartensee Castle featuring a large garden and a terrace.
Wiehnacht-Tobel at an altitude of 615 m is reached after about 1 ½ hours. Along the railroad track you soon cross Mattenbach river, followed by Heiden. The village is situated on a sunny plateau high above Lake Constance. Because of its neo-classical village centre, it is often referred to as a Biedermeier village. Henri Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross, spent the last 23 years of his life in Heiden. A museum dedicated to him is located on the route, shortly before you leave the village.
Continue uphill across meadows and through short forest sections to get to Kaienspitz. At 1122 m it is the highest point of today’s tour. The views of Alpstein and Säntis are spectacular. After a total hiking time of about 4 ½ hours, you arrive in the village of Rehetobel, where the trail steeply descends to Chastenloch. Close to the confluence of Säglibach creek and Goldach river, there are two properties where grain used to be milled and processed. This is also where the municipalities of Trogen, Speicher and Rehetobel meet. A restaurant offers the opportunity to get a bite to eat before you approach the last steep ascent to Trogen. The town is primarily known for the Pestalozzi Children’s Village. Here, in the midst of the amazing Appenzell hills, at the foot of Gäbris mountain, is the end of today’s fascinating hike.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Rorschach
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Trogen
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| Direction |
One way
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| Ascent |
1200 m
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| Descent |
700 m
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| Distance |
19 km
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| Duration |
6 h 15 min
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| Duration back |
5 h 50 min
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| Technical requirements |
Easy
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| Physical requirements |
Difficult
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| Season |
All year
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Quick Facts
Route number
