Urnaesch(Switzerland) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

In Urnäsch, recommend staying at Hotel Alpenhof, a boutique mountain lodge nestled in the Appenzell Alps. Located just steps from the Sankt Gallen High Trail, it offers free rental of hiking poles and local trail maps. The rooms feature traditional wooden interiors with panoramic views of the Appenzell Plateau—perfect for launching expeditions to Bregenz Forest and the Rhine Valley. Daily breakfast includes freshly baked Swiss cheese sandwiches, giving hikers energy for the day ahead.

Urnäsch hosts the annual Appenzell Folk Festival, featuring workshops on crafting traditional Häckelhut wool hats and live performances of Alpine folk music. Locals still practice 19th-century agricultural rituals, including using antique wooden plows and gathering wild herbs. The Urnäsch Museum displays rare medieval shepherd costumes and handcrafted clockmaking tools, offering deep insight into the region’s enduring mountain lifestyle.

The best area for lodging is Urnäsch town center, near the Church of Our Lady and Town Square. This quiet, central district is within walking distance of major sights. Family-run inn restaurants like Gasthof Rössli serve authentic Appenzell cheese fondue, while the location provides easy access to nature trails such as the Bregenz Forest Nature Reserve and Lake Zurich hiking paths—ideal for travelers seeking both convenience and tranquility.

Winter in Urnäsch is magical: enjoy guided snow sled tours and ice sculpting workshops at the Appenzell Ski Area. A unique highlight is the Snow Shepherd Experience—ride horseback through snow-covered valleys in traditional wool attire, reliving medieval alpine life. At night, warm up at Hotel Alpenhof’s fireplace lounge with a cup of Swiss mulled wine (Glühwein) and live Alpine bagpipe performances.

Must-visit landmarks include the Church of the Assumption (St. Mary's Church), whose spire dominates the skyline, housing 15th-century stained-glass windows and a carved wooden altar. Another gem is the Old Post Office (Alte Post), once a 18th-century courier stop now transformed into an art gallery showcasing rural photography from Appenzell. The Old Mill (Mühle Urenen) is one of Switzerland’s few operating watermills, open every Saturday to demonstrate traditional flour production.

Must-try dishes include Appenzell Cheese Cake (Appenzeller Käsekuchen), made with locally produced hard cheese for a rich, slightly salty flavor. Also sample Mountain Mushroom Soup (Bergpilzsuppe), simmered with fresh wild mushrooms and goat’s milk—warming and deeply flavorful. At Rössli Restaurant, enjoy a full meal paired with local dark beer (Schwarzbier), complete with a hand-carved wooden spoon as a keepsake.

Absolutely ideal for families. Urnäsch features child-friendly hiking trails and the Kids' Zoo Urenen, where children can interact with goats and rabbits. Most hotels, like Hotel Alpenhof, offer kids’ playrooms and family programs such as snow castle-building contests and hand-painted hat competitions. Parents can let kids join shepherd-guided tours to learn about alpine ecology in a safe, engaging environment.

Take a train from Zurich to St. Gallen (~1 hour), then transfer to a regional bus (e.g., Route 72) to Urnäsch, taking about 40 minutes. For a more scenic route, rent an electric bike and ride along the Rhine Greenway, passing through Wald and Eggi villages. The journey takes ~1.5 hours, with a stop at Karlshof Lake for photos en route.

The highlight is the Appenzell Agricultural Fair (Agricultural Fair of Appenzell) held every July, featuring traditional sheep shearing demonstrations, hay bale jumping contests, and cow bell decoration competitions. The open-air market sells handmade honey, lavender sachets, and wood carvings. Evenings include a bonfire party with roasted marshmallows and live folk singing, creating a vivid rural atmosphere.

With minimal light pollution, Urnäsch is among Europe’s top dark sky destinations. The Urnäsch Observatory hosts free weekly evening tours using telescopes to view the Orion Nebula and Andromeda Galaxy. Nearby high-altitude trails are designated as International Dark Sky Parks, allowing visitors to lie on blankets beneath the unobstructed Milky Way—truly a breathtaking celestial experience.