Pre-Alpine landscape – Schwägalppass loop from Rietli

Road cycling routes

Switzerland

Eastern Switzerland

Appenzell Ausserrhoden

Mittelland

Pre-Alpine landscape – Schwägalppass loop from Rietli

Hard

5.0

(2)

riders

Pre-Alpine landscape – Schwägalppass loop from Rietli

05:20

101km

1,880m

Road cycling

Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: October 15, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 60.5 km for 65 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

20.8 km

Pre-Alpine landscape

Highlight • Viewpoint

As you travel this scenic route through lush, rolling pre-Alpine landscapes, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of distant mountains and charming Swiss villages nestled between pastures. The terrain is perfect for a challenging but enjoyable ride, with gentle climbs and thrilling descents.

Translated by Google •

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24.2 km

Urnäsch Village Center

Highlight • Settlement

Beautiful village with many old typical houses and scattered settlements in the surrounding area.

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30.3 km

Old mountain pass road to Schwägalp

Highlight (Segment) • Mountain Pass

Completely away from the noise of engines, the road goes up through the side valley on asphalt. However, I would take the new road down to Urnäsch.

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35.7 km

Schwägalp

Highlight • Mountain Pass

Good starting point for various destinations and activities

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36.1 km

Schwägalp Cable Car Valley Station

Highlight • Rest Area

Cable car to the Säntis, Schwägalp
The Säntis was the goal of many projects. In 1903, the concession for a cog railway was granted. The planned route was Appenzell-Wasserauen-Meglisalp-Säntis. When the Appenzell-Wasserauen railway line was completed, the initiators ran out of money and the concession expired.
Text / Source: Säntis-Schwebebahn AG
saentisbahn.ch/geschichte

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37.4 km

Schwägalppass

Highlight • Mountain Pass

Super tour, which is easy to organize with travel by SBB. All ascents are moderate. Some sections are picture-perfect - and you are moving in a part of Switzerland where the gastronomy has also stayed refreshingly down-to-earth. Recommendation: Lunch at the Sternen in Neu St. Johann and a refreshment stop after the descent from the Schwägalp at the "Altes Bild" inn in Eggerstanden. Oh yes, and don't shoot all your powder at the Schwägalppass... there are still a few ascents that get quite tough after 80 kilometers.

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45.2 km

View of Säntis

Highlight • Viewpoint

Great view

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48.4 km

View of Säntis from Neu St. Johann

Highlight • Viewpoint

The mighty Säntis can be seen here by looking over the idyllic village of Neu St. Johann.

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101 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

73.9 km

19.5 km

6.00 km

983 m

281 m

Surfaces

99.0 km

1.56 km

110 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (1,360 m)

Lowest point (620 m)

Weather

Saturday 17 October

13°C

8°C

16 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 1.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

May 31, 2025,Wattwil - Appenzell - Schwägalp - Wattwil

I wanted a new area to ride and went searching for routes. I found this route on Cycling Aficionados and the description was enticing.

What I underestimated in researching the climb is the route didn't take the main road to the pass, but the service | military road. The upside was no cars, the downside was super steep! It was …