The Kronberg: a magical place in the Appenzell region
Dernière mise à jour de cet article le 1 September 2024
What’s my favorite place in Switzerland? The Kronberg, an emblematic mountain in the Appenzell Pre-Alps, culminating at 1,663 meters.
Although less well-known and therefore less touristy than other Swiss peaks, the Kronberg seduces me every time with its authenticity and exceptional natural setting. Indeed, the place exudes serenity and the panorama is magnificent in both summer and winter.
So if you’re in the Appenzell region and looking for an idea for a day out, I suggest you discover the Kronberg. At the summit, you’ll have a breathtaking view of the Säntis massif, the surrounding valleys and, on a clear day, as far as Lake Constance.
And of course, at the end of the article you’ll find Kiki’s opinion of the Kronberg, a mountain he knows like the back of his hand.
Where is the Kronberg?
The Kronberg is located in the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, in north-eastern Switzerland. The village of Jakobsbad, at the foot of the mountain, is the main starting point for reaching the summit.
How to get to the Kronberg
The Kronberg is easily accessible from all major Swiss cities and by various means of transport.
By train
From Zurich, take a train to Gossau, where you change to a regional train to Appenzell. From there, it’s a 30 minutes train ride to Jakobsbad. The total journey from Zurich takes around 1h30.
I really recommend taking the train in Switzerland. Cleanliness, punctuality, it’s a real pleasure to travel. And the scenery between Gossau and Jakobsbad is magnificent.
By car
From Zurich, it takes around 1h15 to reach Jakobsbad by car via the A1 freeway. Ample parking is available at the foot of the Kronberg.
By cable car
In Jakobsbad, you’ll need to take a cable car to reach the summit of the Kronberg. The journey takes around 10 minutes. There are cable cars every 30 minutes, but during busy periods, it can be every 15 minutes.
I don’t like cable cars, but the Kronberg cable car offers an exceptional panorama. What’s more, when you reach the top, you’ll be treated to some typically Swiss music. Thrills guaranteed every time!
What to do on the Kronberg summit
The Kronberg is a hiker’s paradise. Trails of varying degrees of difficulty criss-cross the mountain, offering incredible panoramic views.
One of the most popular hikes is to Jacob’s Chapel and back to the top of the Kronberg. It takes 30 minutes to get there. On the way back, it’s quite a climb, but the setting is exceptional. You’ll even meet some cows! You can also walk down to Jakobsbad. It’s a 2.5-hour walk.
You can also eat or have a coffee at the restaurant on top of the Kronberg. I recommend an ice tea. It’s local and really tasty.
You can also enjoy the view from a bench or deckchair.
The Kronberg in Appenzell is really my favorite place in Switzerland!
How much does it cost to get to the top of the Kronberg?
The cost of the cable car to the Kronberg is 42 Swiss francs (return).
More, if you stay in an Appenzell hotel for more than 3 nights, you can take advantage of free public transport (trains and buses in the Appenzell region, including Gossau), including the Kronberg cable car. More information on the official Appenzell website. You can also book a hotel in Appenzell to discover the region over several days.
You can also opt for a multi-day pass to travel throughout Switzerland by train, bus and cable car.
What to do at the foot of the Kronberg
There’s plenty to do at the foot of the Kronberg for young and old alike.
Adventure park
At the foot of the Kronberg, the adventure park is a must for families, with its tree courses and large zip line. There’s also a summer toboggan run.
Barefoot walk from Jakobsbad to Gontenbad
Yes, you read that right! It’s possible to hike barefoot. An unusual experience in Switzerland!
Introducing the Barfussweg hike
In fact, it’s a hiking trail of around 5 kilometers (about 1h15), designed specifically to be walked barefoot.
The walk starts in Jakobsbad (at the foot of the Kronberg cable car station) and ends in Gontenbad. The route is well signposted, just follow the Barfussweg signs. Just be careful not to run into the golf course at Gontenbad.
You’ll be walking on grass, in a stream, but also on gravel.
And even in the mud!
And of course, don’t worry: after walking through the mud, you can wash your feet in two different places (before and after the mud, depending on your starting point).
Halfway along the route, you can also visit the Toobeschopf Museum, where you can dip your arms in a fountain and try out Dr. Kneipp’s method. The aim is to improve blood circulation, strengthen the immune system and relieve pain and inflammation.
Finally, in Gonten, you’ll come across a farm where you can buy ice cream and cheese. However, you’ll need to pay in cash or by Twint.
Tips for hiking barefoot
To do this hike, you can either start in Jakobsbad or Gontenbad. If you wish, you can also start in Gonten and finish in Gontenbad or Jakobsbad. In fact, there are stations at Jakobsbad, Gonten and Gontenbad (Gossau – Appenzell line) and trains run every 30 minutes.
In short, it’s my favorite Appenzell hike, all set in a picture-postcard setting! I prefer the part between Gonten and Gontebad (45 minutes), which is more in the heart of nature, with typical Appenzell chalets, and the part with the mud. Between Gonten and Jakobsbad, you’ll pass a campsite, which is less charming.
Just one small but important clarification. For these three stations, when you arrive at the platform, you’ll need to press the button for your destination (Gossau or Appenzell), as trains only stop on request. It would be a shame to wait for the train and have it not stop! This also applies when you’re on the train and want to get off!
How long can I spend in the Kronberg region?
It all depends on what you want to do and when! Every time I go to the top of the Kronberg, in summer or winter, I spend at least 2 hours there between walking to the top and having a coffee to enjoy the incredible view. By the way, before you go, you can check the weather at the top of the Kronberg on the official website.
What I can recommend for a wonderful day in Appenzell is to take a train to Gontenbad and then hike barefoot to Jakobsbad. You can then take the cable car up to the summit of the Kronberg. Depending on the time of day you arrive, you can either enjoy a cup of coffee with an Appenzell speciality in the restaurant, or lunch. And to digest, you can take a short walk up to the Jacob chapel and then retrace your steps. You don’t have to go all the way to the chapel to enjoy the incredible views.
On the way back, you or your children may want to go tobogganing and visit the adventure park!
To round off the day, you can go to Appenzell and eat the famous cheese!
What to do in Appenzell?
If I had to choose just one region in Switzerland, I’d choose Appenzell for its charm and incredible nature. In fact, I wrote an article on the 12 must-do things to do in the Appenzell region , including the town of Appenzell, just a short train ride from Jakobsbad. It’s famous for its colorful houses, local traditions and cheese.
What’s more, Lake Constance is just a 30-minute drive from the Kronberg. In my article, I show you the most beautiful towns around Lake Constance.
Last but not least, I recommend a visit to St. Gallen, world-famous for its abbey.
Kiki’s opinion of the Kronberg
Put on your hiking boots and pack some provisions, Kiki is now going to give you some personal tips for great hikes that you didn’t find in the article. And if you think this little guy is a real braggart, rest assured, he’s explored every one of these hikes himself!
Kiki’s tip number 1: hike from Jakobsbad to Kronberg for those with stamina
Yes, it is of course possible to hike in the opposite direction, with a lot of ascent to the top, then take the cable car back to Jakobsbad. The real tip, however, is to go up via the Klein Lauftegg, as you’ll then see the Kronberg at altitude from a completely different angle!
Kiki’s tip no. 2: Specialist hikes from the Kronberg to Appenzell
This route is a little more time-consuming, and don’t underestimate the tough climbs that await you from time to time. But your efforts will be amply rewarded: you’ll cross a mystical high moor that will make you believe you’ve landed on an alien planet. And you’ll be rewarded after the long final descent to Appenzell with a visit to the romantic village center. Kiki dreams of one day doing this hike with Sophie.
Kiki’s tip no. 3: an insider’s hike from Kronberg to Schwägalp
This hike is less well known, not least because the final destination is Schwägalp. From here, you can take the cable car up to the king of the Alpstein mountains, the Säntis. But the return journey from Schwägalp requires a winding bus ride to Urnäsch, which is not for the faint-hearted! Kiki wonders whether Sophie will survive this adventurous journey.
As you can see, Kiki knows the Kronberg like the back of his hand. So it’s hardly surprising that this mountain is one of his favorite places in Appenzell! It’s all the sweeter that Sophie has also succumbed to the charms of this magical place.
Discover more from Les carnets de route de Sophie
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