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Weâre always on the lookout for camping destinations we consider underrated and love to recommend â one of them is the Appenzell region in Switzerland. In this article, we share our tips for campsites and activities in the area.
GrĂźezi & welcome to a rather underrated camping destination: the Appenzell region in Switzerland! đ¨đ
Since Switzerland is known as a very expensive travel destination, a camper trip is especially worth it â itâs by far the most affordable way to explore the country. Yes, Switzerland is expensive, and still every aspect of a trip is worth it: the mountain landscapes and lakes, the hiking and mountain biking highlights, the charming villages and traditions, and of course the cheese, raclette and other delicious treats. Switzerland is simply an incredibly diverse place and well worth a visit at any time of year.
One region weâve especially fallen in love with is the Appenzell region, located on the eastern edge of Switzerland. Itâs a perfect destination for active travelers who enjoy hiking, cycling and outdoor sports with views of the Alps. Or for those who prefer to slow down and focus on lakes, wellness and great food. Or both. Especially relevant for campers: there are plenty of campsites with exceptionally friendly service, pitches offering stunning views of rolling hills and mountains, and lakes close by â weâll share our favorites further down.
Camping Switzerland by the lake â good to know
đ Getting there
Switzerland is easy to reach from all regions of Germany. If youâre starting in the north and renting a camper in Hamburg, you can plan a stop in central Germany or at Lake Constance, from where youâll reach Switzerland quickly and stress-free. If you start your trip in southern Germany, for example with a camper from Munich, youâll get there even faster and need only around three hours to reach the Appenzell region. If thatâs not the perfect destination for a weekend trip!
Using Swiss motorways is subject to tolls, so youâll need a vignette. You can buy it at border crossings, at ĂAMTC service points (the Austrian Automobile, Motorcycle and Touring Club), or at ADAC sales offices. You can also easily purchase an e-vignette in advance via an online portal. All information about tolls in Switzerland can also be found on the ADAC website.
đŤ Traffic rules
Uff, fines in Switzerland can be pretty expensive â and thereâs also a high density of speed cameras. To protect your travel budget, itâs worth familiarizing yourself with the traffic rules in advance. On Swiss motorways, the maximum speed limit is 120 km/h. Outside built-up areas, 80 km/h is allowed, and within towns and cities the limit is 50 km/h.
âşď¸ Wild camping
What about wild camping in Switzerland? The so-called âright of public accessâ applies throughout the country. Wild camping is not explicitly forbidden, but it is still not permitted everywhere, as regulations vary depending on the canton. What all of this actually means is explained in detail in our article on wild camping in Switzerland.
đ¨ď¸ Best time to travel
The best time to travel to the Appenzell region in Switzerland depends entirely on what you want to do on your trip. If you want to fully enjoy the mountains while hiking or mountain biking, the months from June to September are ideal, with pleasant temperatures and little rainfall. However, Switzerland is also a popular destination in the colder months for winter and ski holidays. In the Appenzell region, youâll find ski areas as well as campsites that are open all year round.
Camping Appenzell: About the Appenzell region
The Appenzell region stretches across the eastern edge of Switzerland, from Lake Constance to Mount Säntis. The name really says it all â it already sounds like coziness, tradition and good vibes. In this beautiful part of Switzerland, youâll find rolling pre-Alpine landscapes as well as the striking rock formations of the Säntis range, with its namesake peak rising to around 2,500 meters: Säntis. The Appenzell region is known as an outstanding hiking destination â in fact, one of the most popular in eastern Switzerland â offering diverse landscapes and an excellent network of trails. At its heart lies the village of Appenzell, set at the foot of the Alpstein massif, with its colorful painted chalets. And tucked away between the mountain peaks, youâll discover the occasional lake framed by stunning alpine scenery.
Tradition and culture are deeply rooted in the region, and throughout the year you can experience a variety of local customs. In spring, thereâs the traditional alpine cattle drive with festively decorated cows; in summer, the âStobeteâ featuring folk dances and string music; and in winter, the Silvesterchlausen, when men wearing traditional masks go from door to door.
Switzerland lakeside holiday in Appenzell: the best campsites
âşď¸ Campsite Eischen
Campsite with idyllic pitches and views of the mountain landscape
Very friendly staff
Great wellness area with mountain views and an excellent restaurant at the associated hotel
A great money-saving tip for camping in Switzerland is privately offered pitches. These are often provided by farmers or other landowners and may be less well equipped, but they are significantly cheaper than regular campsites.
We like to use the Park4Night app to find these kinds of spots.
Being by a lake is always a good idea! In the Appenzell region of Switzerland, youâll mainly find stunning mountain lakes with crystal-clear water, perfect for relaxing and soaking up the sun after a hike. These lakes are a must-see in the Appenzell region:
Seealpsee: This idyllic mountain lake in the heart of the Alpstein range easily wins the unofficial contest for lake beauty. Located at 1,142 meters above sea level, Seealpsee stands out for its stunning setting, crystal-clear water and the surrounding mountain inns. After your hike, you can cool off with a swim or take a relaxing rowboat ride on the lake.
Sämtisersee: A great alternative to the popular and often busy Seealpsee is Sämtisersee. This mountain lake, with beautiful panoramic views and equally clear water, can be reached via a fairly steep hike starting from Brßlisau.
Fählensee: The third-largest mountain lake in the Appenzell region lies in a narrow valley between the Bollenwees mountain inn and the Zwinglipass. You can enjoy the view of the lake in a relaxed atmosphere with a cold drink at the Bollenwees mountain inn.
Walensee: While Walensee is not a mountain lake, it still impresses with its alpine panorama. The deep blue water and steeply rising mountain peaks might even remind some visitors of a Norwegian fjord. Another highlight is the village of Quinten right by the lake, which can only be reached on foot or by boat.
Hiking
No one should miss out on the beauty of the Swiss mountains. The Appenzell region, known as a true hiking paradise, offers a wide variety of routes where you can explore nature, alpine landscapes and the occasional stunning lake. The regionâs network of hiking trails stretches over an impressive 1,200 kilometers. It also includes 20 themed trails, which are especially suitable for families with children. Since choosing just one hike isnât easy, here are our hiking recommendations for camping in Appenzell:
This fantastic day hike takes you past some of the highlights of the Appenzell region. Especially impressive are the crystal-clear Fählensee and the rock formation Saxerlßcke with its breathtaking views. You can stop for a well-earned break and refreshments at the Berggasthaus Bollenwees.
This hike is one where the stop for food is even more of a highlight than hiking itself. The Berggasthaus Ăscher was built in 1846 into one of the caves of the Wildkirchli, below the Ebenalp â it almost looks as if itâs simply stuck onto the massive rock face. Along the way, youâll also circle Lake Seealpsee and climb up to the scenic Ebenalp. The descent is relaxed by cable car.
Duration: 30 minutes (cable car ride + loop trail) or 3 hours (hike + loop trail)
Difficulty: easy
At the viewpoint mountain Hoher Kasten, an incredible panoramic view over the Appenzell region awaits you. You can either take the cable car and reach the summit comfortably in just 8 minutes, or hike up to the top of Hoher Kasten. The Europa Loop Trail circles the striking silhouette of the Kastenkopf and offers beautiful views in all directions. The trail is also wheelchair-accessible and suitable for strollers.
Säntis cable car
Säntis is THE mountain of the region â and for good reason. From the 2,502-meter-high peak, youâll enjoy breathtaking views over the Appenzell region and the six-country corner of France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. The Säntis cable car runs every half hour from Schwägalp, gliding over dramatic rock faces and taking you to the summit station in just 10 minutes. At the top, two interactive experience worlds await, making Säntis a popular destination for families as well. The mountain restaurant âAlter Säntisâ is perfect for a hearty stop for food.
Appenzell spa & wellness baths
A great tip for truly unwinding is a visit to the Appenzell spa and wellness baths. The former traditional sulfur spring once used for therapeutic bathing is now a modern facility focused on wellness, fitness and health. Here youâll find an extensive pool and sauna area as well as a wide range of massages, Ayurveda treatments and relaxation offers.
Opening hours: MonâFri 8:30 amâ10:00 pm, Sat & Sun 8:30 amâ8:00 pm
Appenzell Show Dairy
Appenzeller cheese has been produced for over 700 years in the rolling landscape of the Appenzell region. At the Appenzell Show Dairy, you can go on a cheese discovery journey and learn how Appenzeller cheese is made, create your own herb blends, and take a look into the cheese vat and the impressive cheese cellar. Public guided tours in German take place on Wednesdays and Sundays at 2:00 pm (prices range from 7 to 12 Swiss francs). For groups of six or more, tastings can also be booked.
Tastings at the Locher Brewery
At the Locher Brewery, Appenzell beer has been brewed since 1886 and is now produced by the fifth generation of the family. Today, the brewery offers more than 40 different beer specialties. In 1999, the range was expanded to include single malt whiskies. Both groups and individual visitors can book experiences such as tastings here. Beer tastings that individuals can join without prior registration take place every Thursday at 10:15 am and cost 12 Swiss francs per person.
Appenzell Folk Customs Museum
Thereâs hardly a more fitting building for a museum of local customs: the 400-year-old Appenzell house in Urnäsch, located on the village square with its beautiful row of houses. In the low-ceilinged, winding rooms of the Appenzell Folk Customs Museum, youâll gain insight into the rural culture of the Appenzell region, as well as its crafts and traditions. Visitors can also try things out themselves, such as Appenzell musical instruments, coin swinging or playing the hammered dulcimer, which makes the museum enjoyable for children too.
Opening hours: MonâSat 9:00â11:30 am & 1:30â5:00 pm, Sun 1:30â5:00 pm.
Prices range from 4 to 8 Swiss francs.
Switzerland by camper: our conclusion
For those who love hiking, mountain biking, alpine nature and mountain lakes â as well as relaxation and wellness â the Appenzell region is a real insider tip for a camping trip. You might even feel so comfortable at one of the campsites that you discover a new favorite regular spot. Appenzell has definitely won us over with its wide variety of holiday activities.
