Winter takes a firm hold over Appenzellerland This sometimes means knee-deep snow on less frequented hiking trails. You are well advised to take snowshoes and poles on the route from Teufen via Wonnenstein monastery and Gmünden down to the Strom bathing area and up to Halten on the other side. An unspoilt landscape is revealed as you reach the ravine of the Sitter and Rotbach rivers. Only deer, hares and foxes have left their tracks in the snow here.

Pictures and Text: Jolanda Spengler