At the heart of the Vorderland district of Appenzell, Heiden has a lot to offer. Nestling in the hilly landscape in the Vorderland district of Appenzell, the village is located in a sunny spot at over 800 metres above sea level. sea. Unspoilt nature, clear views of Lake Constance, baths and cultural attractions promise pure diversion. Just get going, relax and enjoy.

Biedermeier-era village of Heiden

Many buildings date back to the Biedermeier era of around 1840. Family, traditions and craftsmanship constitute the intrinsic values of this period. At the Biedermeier Festival, which is held every three years, the village and people of Heiden take on a historical look. But there’s nothing to stop you taking a stroll through the Biedermeier-era village today.

Panoramic view from the church tower

From a height of 41 metres, Heiden’s church tower offers the best views of Lake Constance 400 metres below and of the lovely rolling hills around Heiden. The climb up 157 steps to the room at the top of the tower is well worth it. The Heiden church tower is open daily from May to October: 12.30 to 3.30 p.m. (until 4.30 p.m. when the weather is good).

FoodTrail Appenzellerland: a scavenger hunt for foodies!

Do you have fun and get excited about discovering things? That’s exactly what the FoodTrail Appenzellerland offers. At its six food and drink stops, you’ll be spoiled for choice with delicacies and regional specialities. The food trail promises you five to six hours of fun, excitement and a little exercise – and a chance to experience Appenzell a little differently. You can find information on getting started at the tourist information office at Heiden railway station.

Appenzell Peace Stations

The Appenzell Peace StationsTarget not accessible invite you on a journey of discovery in the Vorderland district of Appenzell. They depict the humanitarian life’s work of eminent Swiss people: Jakob Künzler, Carl Lutz, Margrit Besmer and Willi Kobe, Paul Vogt, Gertrud Kurz, Catharina Sturzenegger, Theodosius Florentini, Carl “Bö” Böckli and Henry Dunant. Each station is dedicated to the life and work of a particular person. If preferred, various PostBus stops along the trailTarget not accessible can help you walk a shorter section of this journey of discovery.

Henry Dunant Museum

The Henry Dunant Museum in Heiden is dedicated to the visionary initiator of the Swiss Red Cross. At the battle of Solferino, Italy, in 1859, Henry Dunant experienced the suffering and misery of war at close quarters. Posing questions such as “What does the individual count for in war?” or ”Who is to help the victims?”, Henry Dunant became a man with a lifelong sense of social commitment.

Heiden Museum

Heiden Museum not only exhibits the local history and home decor of Heiden, it also features personalities. Carl Böckli for example, alias “Bö”, who penned barbed caricatures in the satirical magazine “Nebelspalter” for more than 50 years. His extensive oeuvre is collected in the Bö Foundation.

Baths and more

Village tours, guided herb walking tours, wellness days at the Appenzell health spa in Unterrechstein or the Hotel Heiden round off your stay in the Biedermeier-era village of Heiden.

Across the suspension bridge to a Fünfländerblick

This easy hike from Heiden towards Grub (canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden) takes you across the 180-metre suspension bridge to Grub (canton of St. Gallen). The trail then continues on to the tour’s memorable moment, a view of five states. This fantastic vista, overlooking Lake Constance and taking in Switzerland, Austria, and the German states of Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden, is the highlight of this tour. From here, the mountain trail leads to Eggersriet.