Take the Appenzell Railways service from Waldstatt to Urnäsch (10 mins; red line on the overview map). Visit the Appenzeller Brauchtumsmuseum (museum of customs – red dot in the overview map), which is right on the village square.

The exhibition focuses on customs that are very much alive and kicking today. On the tour, you’ll learn more about the Silvesterklaus tradition, alpine descents, the lives of alpine dairymen, rustic painting and string music.

Stroll through the pretty village of Urnäsch to the Urnäscher Chäslädeli cheese shop (blue dot on the overview map). At the shop, you can learn all about the popular Urnäscher Hornkuhkäse – cheese made from the milk of horned cows.  Besides a variety of cheeses, the Chäslädeli also sells specialities made by local farming families. A gift from the Urnäscher cheese dairy is bound to go down a treat.

One day in the Appenzellerland is by no means enough: the many activities and sights will have you wanting more!

Find the right accommodation for a good night’s rest.

What could be better than a little lie-in the next day, followed by a hearty breakfast? Feast on the rich buffet to set you up for an eventful day.

After breakfast, set off for Herisau, starting your hike at the psychiatric centre in Krombach, where Robert Walser spent the last 23 years of his life. On the circular route (dark green line on the overview map) you’ll find various stations covering the life and places significant to this German-speaking Swiss writer.

At the end of the trail, visit the museum in the centre of Herisau (red dot on the overview map) and discover the canton’s cultural history, from the Middle Ages to the present day. Learn exciting facts about the knights and castles of Herisau, how people started coming here, Ausserrhoden healing practices, the history of the school and traditional homes in this area.

The Robert Walser Room contains original documents that provide insights into the famous writer’s Herisau years and his work.