Herisau, a region in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Switzerland, is characterized by its charming hilly landscape and diverse terrain. This area offers varied elevations and panoramic views across the Appenzell Hinterland, Mittelland districts, the Alpstein massif, and Lake Constance. Deep gorges, such as the Wissbach Gorge, add dramatic natural features, making Herisau a suitable location for several sports like road cycling, hiking, touring cycling, jogging, and more.
Herisau provides a wide range of outdoor…
126
Routes
4.7
(382)
Average rating
3433
People visited

4.4
(8)
91
riders
45.5km
03:14
830m
830m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
68
riders
34.7km
02:14
400m
400m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(2)
45
riders
17.1km
01:09
210m
210m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(7)
40
riders
25.5km
02:06
580m
580m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
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4.6
(21)
53
hikers
8.49km
02:29
230m
230m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(38)
165
hikers
3.57km
01:02
100m
100m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(22)
80
hikers
13.3km
03:58
390m
400m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(7)
49
hikers
6.41km
01:45
100m
100m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(2)
18
riders
66.6km
05:44
1,560m
1,560m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(61)
27
riders
41.7km
02:30
450m
450m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

15
riders
13.1km
00:46
130m
130m
Easy gravel ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
riders
46.2km
03:32
1,020m
1,020m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
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5.0
(3)
130
riders
117km
06:51
2,640m
2,640m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.6
(9)
195
riders
48.9km
02:22
630m
630m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(2)
98
riders
61.3km
03:05
980m
980m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(4)
63
riders
25.6km
01:27
390m
390m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.0
(3)
116
runners
9.38km
01:02
160m
160m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.

60
runners
13.8km
01:31
250m
250m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
46
runners
12.7km
01:22
190m
190m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(2)
58
runners
5.83km
00:38
100m
90m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.7
(14)
89
riders
22.5km
02:01
550m
550m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.7
(9)
55
riders
21.2km
01:58
530m
530m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.0
(2)
32
riders
35.4km
02:26
600m
600m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(5)
25
riders
28.8km
02:41
860m
860m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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12
hikers
13.7km
05:04
800m
800m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

10
hikers
15.1km
05:52
850m
850m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

8
hikers
6.80km
02:25
390m
390m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
hikers
11.4km
04:15
720m
720m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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Herisau offers a variety of outdoor activities including road cycling, hiking, touring cycling, and jogging. The region provides more than 240 routes across these sports. These activities take place in a hilly landscape with panoramic views of the Appenzell region and Alpstein massif.
Herisau features road cycling routes ranging from moderate to challenging. Notable options include the "Alpstein Range with Säntis – Schwägalp Pass summit loop" (37 miles / 60 km, 4,330 feet / 1,320m elevation) and the "Schwägalp Pass summit – View of Lake Walen loop" (73 miles / 117 km, 8,660 feet / 2,640m elevation). For more options, refer to Road Cycling Routes around Herisau.
Yes, Herisau offers challenging road cycling routes with significant elevation gain. Examples include the "Alpstein Range with Säntis – Schwägalp Pass summit loop" and the "Schwägalp Pass summit – View of Lake Walen loop," both requiring good fitness. These routes feature substantial climbs and descents.
Herisau provides a rich network of hiking trails for various fitness levels. Popular routes include the moderate "Up the Ramsenstock" (5.3 miles / 8.5 km, 750 feet / 230m elevation) and trails exploring the Wissbach Gorge. The "Kulturspur Appenzellerland" hike combines natural beauty with historical insights.
The region offers options for touring cycling that can be suitable for families, especially with the availability of electric bicycles. While specific family-friendly road cycling routes are not detailed, the diverse terrain allows for varied experiences. Electric bicycles can be rented at the Herisau sports centre to assist on hilly routes.
Electric bicycles are available for rent at the Herisau sports centre. This provides an accessible option for navigating the region's hilly routes. Renting an e-bike can make longer or more challenging tours more manageable.
Herisau is characterized by rolling hills, panoramic views of the Alpstein massif, and Lake Constance. Deep gorges, such as the Wissbach Gorge, feature ravines, bridges, and impressive rock faces. River walks along the Urnäsch, Rotbach, or Goldach also offer views into wild gorges.
Herisau is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 8,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The region's routes have an average rating of 4.61 out of 5 stars. There are over 240 routes available for various sports.
Komoot offers several guides for Herisau, including Road Cycling Routes around Herisau, Hiking around Herisau, and Running Trails around Herisau. There are also guides for touring cycling, mountain biking, and traffic-free bike rides.
For tourism-specific inquiries, the Herisau tourist information, located in the Hotel Herisau, can be reached at +41 71 354 83 83. The official website for the municipality of Herisau is www.herisau.ch.
Yes, Herisau offers mountain biking trails. There are 47 mountain biking routes available in the region. For more information, refer to the MTB Trails around Herisau guide.
The Appenzell Ausserrhoden region around Herisau offers diverse landscapes for jogging, including rolling hills and forests. Routes like the "Waldegg – Waldegg Adventure Spot loop" (6.6 miles / 10.7 km, 820 feet / 250m elevation) and the "View of Lake Gübsensee – Gübsensee West Dam loop" (5 miles / 8 km) provide scenic runs. Routes with significant elevation gain are also available for trail running.

