Appenzeller Alpenweg from Urnäsch over the Ofenloch to Schwägalp

From Urnäsch (824 m) we hike along the marked Appenzeller Alpenweg to Bruggerenwald. At the edge of the renatured raised bog, we continue to ascend and pass the erosion crater of Rossmoos in switchbacks to the Hochalp, a scenic Nagelfluh mountain (1521 m). Remarkable are Säntis and Stockberg. On the serpentine descent, we can take a detour to the Spicher (1519 m). Then we interrupt the Appenzeller Alpenweg for the most beautiful natural experience of the region - the Ofenloch in the "Grand Canyon of Eastern Switzerland". Here, the still young Necker plunges about 100 m over a cliff of Nagelfluh. The often slippery, steep hiking path runs between the wall and the waterfall. True to its Indo-European root "nik", the Necker dashes and shapes the spectacular deeply incised gorge. Within it lies the impressive "Ofenloch", a large cave. On the Neckertaler Höhenweg and again on the Appenzeller Alpenweg, we reach the Chräzeren Pass and the Schwägalp Pass height.