Weissbad: Bärli-Biber, Winter Trail and Hiking Destinations

The experiences available during a stay in Weissbad can be distinguished by their character: the Bärli-Biber World combines local pastry-making traditions with an exhibition and the opportunity to make your own; the trails lead to a river, meadows, a chapel or viewpoints. In winter, there is also a groomed hiking trail and a natural ice rink, depending on the weather.

Bärli-Biber World: History and Making

The first Bärli-Biber were baked in Weissbad, Appenzell Innerrhoden, more than 60 years ago. The Bärli-Biber World features an interactive exhibition offering insights into the history, ingredients and production of these specialities. Visitors interested not only in the pastries but also in how they are made will find these topics explored together there. For a hands-on introduction to the process, visitors can make their own large Bärli-Biber under expert guidance; the pastry weighs 510 g. The exhibition and the hands-on activity focus on different aspects: one on background and ingredients, the other on making the pastry with guidance. If you are planning to make one yourself, check the latest participation information in advance.

Winter Trail, Nativity Scene and Natural Ice Rink

The “Steene- ond Lateene-Weeg” is a groomed winter hiking trail in Weissbad. It follows the Weissbach and crosses it via a footbridge. The river and crossing shape the route. During Advent and the Christmas season, a wooden nativity scene with large figures is also set up there. The dates when it is put up may vary; if you would like to include the nativity scene in your travel plans, check the relevant dates in advance.

The Glandenstein natural ice rink in Weissbad is an outdoor rink for skating and playing hockey. Use of the rink is free, but operations depend on the weather. Check local conditions before your visit. The rink offers a different kind of winter activity from the groomed trail: skating or hockey is the focus here, while the trail follows the Weissbach.

Hikes with Different Highlights

The “Rondom s Wissbad” route crosses meadows and offers a view of the Hoher Kasten. “Abseits vom Alltag” focuses on different destinations: the route leads to the Ahorn Chapel, a pilgrimage chapel, and offers the option of taking a detour to the nearby Leuenfall waterfall. Trail conditions can vary by season; check them before setting out. The routes thus differ in their stated destinations: meadows and a view of the Hoher Kasten on the one hand, and a chapel with an optional detour to Leuenfall on the other.

Another circular hike starts at the Eschböhl hiking car park near Weissbad. It offers views of the Pre-Alps and Lake Constance region, as well as impressions of the Alpstein region. This circular hike adds an option whose described views take in several different landscapes. The route descriptions provide specific pointers to help you choose between a river, meadows, a chapel, Leuenfall and views across the wider region.

Destinations in the Schwende-Rüte District

Weissbad is one of the localities in the Schwende-Rüte district. Most of the Alpstein also lies within this district, which is home to the three mountain lakes Seealpsee, Sämtisersee and Fählensee. This geographical context helps distinguish Weissbad as a destination from other places to visit within the district, without combining them into a single excursion.

A cable car in the district takes visitors up to Hoher Kasten at 1,795 m above sea level; the “Geological Hiking Trail” also starts there. The Ebenalp cable car, also in the district, provides a starting point for both easy and challenging mountain hikes. The prehistoric caves of Wildkirchli lie slightly below Ebenalp. For a different seasonal activity, the district also has the Ebenalp-Horn ski area: the floodlit slopes by the Horn ski lift in Schwende allow visitors to ski into the evening. As well as attractions associated with Weissbad, the district therefore offers mountain lakes, mountain hikes, a themed hiking trail and skiing.

For the broader travel overview: Wasserauen.