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Ticket
Säntis Ticket from Schwägalp
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The Säntis is a place where you can experience the beauty of nature, from the alpine flowers in summer to the snow-covered peaks in winter. Three cantons meet here: Appenzell Ausserrhoden (municipality Hundwil), Appenzell Innerrhoden (district Schwende) and St. Gallen (municipality Wildhaus in Toggenburg).
One of the sights at Säntis is definitely the wonderful panoramic view over the mountains, lakes and valleys of Eastern Switzerland and the Eastern Alps. Not only the seven Churfirsten are a popular photo motif. Several summit paths and a viewing platform provide all-round views.
Piz Bernina: The highest peak in the Eastern Alps, with an elevation of 4049 meters above sea level. Altmann: The third highest peak in the Alpstein massif with an altitude of 2243 m above sea level. Hoher Kasten: A mountain in the Alpstein massif with an altitude of 1794 m a.s.l. and a popular revolving restaurant Churfirsten: A prominent mountain range in Toggenburg with an altitude of up to 2306 m above sea level. There are, of course, many more mountain peaks that you will see while looking in all directions.
An interactive world of experience on Säntis offers interesting facts about the history of the suspension railroad and about weather phenomena on the mountain. There is also a mineral exhibition, the Appenzell Event Hall and a store at the summit.
The climate and weather phenomena on the Säntis are often very unusual and similar to those in the high mountains. And this despite the fact that with its 2502 m above sea level it does not belong to the category of high mountains. The reason for this is the exposed position of the mountain. Therefore, it is a special experience for children as well as adults to create a tornado or other weather phenomena even fictitiously.
If you wonder why you don't see any paragliders on the Säntis: Because of the extreme location it is not possible to take off from here. Experienced paragliders descend to the Lisengrat and take off from Chalbersäntis (2376 m above sea level) or from the Rotsteinpass (2140 m above sea level).
Near the summit you will find a number of glacier caves that you can visit. They were formed by the natural erosion of glacial ice. From the top station of the Säntis cable car you can take a guided tour to the glacier caves, which takes about an hour.
You will see natural formations of ice columns, crevasses and glacial caves created by years of glacier movement. The reflection of the light creates impressive blue colors of the ice.
The Säntisbahn is an aerial tramway that leads from Schwägalp to the summit of Säntis. It runs all year round at least every 30 min and needs only 10 min for more than 1000 meters of altitude. The cabin holds 85 people.
The history of the Säntisbahn began with its opening as early as 1935, making it the oldest aerial tramway in Switzerland.
Offer at Swiss Activities:
Säntis is excellent for both sporty visitors and families. For families, the themed trails in the NaturErlebnispark on Schwägalp and the interactive Erlebniswelt at the summit are particularly suitable.
Active visitors hike and climb in the rocky area around the Säntis. In winter, freeriders and ski tourers in particular are out and about on Säntis.
Another popular hike is the ascent from Schwägalp to Säntis, which takes about 3.5 hours. Afterwards you can fortify yourself in the restaurant before taking the cable car back to Schwägalp.
From St. Gallen you drive via Herisau and Urnäsch to Schwägalp in Appenzellerland. The road is well built and offers a beautiful view of the surrounding landscape. At the valley station there is a large parking lot for which a fee is charged.
For those arriving by public transport, the post bus runs regularly from Urnäsch and from Nesslau in Toggenburg and ends directly at the Schwägalp valley station.
Even the journey to the Säntis is an experience in itself. You drive through picturesque landscapes and enjoy an impressive view of the mountain and its surroundings. It's definitely an excursion you shouldn't miss.