Bezirk Schwende-Rüte

The district of Schwende-Rüte is the largest district in the canton. It was created in 2022 by the merger of the previous districts of Rüte and Schwende. The district area includes the villages of Brülisau, Eggerstanden, Steinegg, Wasserauen, Weissbad, as well as a part of Appenzell. Most of the Alpstein also belongs to the district of Schwende-Rüte.

Visit the Appenzell panoramic mountain Hoher Kasten. The cable car takes you to 1795 m above sea level to the modern revolving restaurant on the summit. The Geological Hiking Trail also starts from here. Or use the cable car to the Ebenalp as a starting point for leisurely but also challenging mountain hikes. A little below the Ebenalp are the prehistoric caves of the Wildkirchli. Paragliders and hang gliders will find ideal conditions on the Ebenalp. In the district of Schwende-Rüte there are also the three beautiful mountain lakes Seealpsee, Sämtisersee and Fählensee.

In winter, the Ebenalp-Horn ski area attracts visitors and is a real alternative to the far-flung winter sports destinations. The floodlit slopes at the Horn ski lift in Schwende offer skiing pleasure until the evening hours. A romantic winter experience is the Steene- ond Lateene-Weeg in Weissbad.