Schonengrund: Hochhamm - Blick nach Südosten zum Säntis

Schönengrund follows the upper Necker in Appenzell Ausserrhoden, and its location near the border with the Toggenburg has shaped it as a small rural community between two distinct eastern Swiss regions. Scattered farmsteads and pastureland define the settlement pattern, while the surrounding hills lead into a network of local walking routes. Dairy farming remains part of everyday life here, linking Schönengrund to the wider Appenzell tradition of cheese production. The village suits travellers seeking a quieter side of Switzerland beyond its major Alpine resorts. Browse other webcams across Appenzell Ausserrhoden to place this setting in a wider geographic context.

Among Switzerland’s cantons, Appenzell Ausserrhoden stands out for rolling pre-Alpine hills and a long textile tradition. In the northeast of the country, it stretches from upland pastures towards the Lake Constance basin, with the Alpstein range rising close to its southern edge. Herisau, the cantonal seat, developed as a centre of textile production; embroidery and weaving helped shape the area’s economy in the 19th century. The canton emerged in 1597 when the historic Appenzell territory divided along confessional lines, leaving Ausserrhoden predominantly Reformed. Farmhouses, grazing land and compact towns still define much of its settled countryside. Continue through nearby webcams to explore different parts of Appenzell Ausserrhoden.

Switzerland stretches from the Jura Mountains in the northwest to the Alps in the south, encompassing a central plateau of cities, farms and lakes. The Rhine rises in the Swiss Alps, while Lake Geneva forms part of the country’s southwestern border. Zürich, Geneva and Basel are major urban centres, yet mountain railways and passes remain central to how many regions are experienced. Four national languages—German, French, Italian and Romansh—reflect Switzerland’s distinct cantonal identities. The Matterhorn above Zermatt is among Europe’s most recognisable peaks, and the 1291 Federal Charter is closely associated with the country’s founding tradition. Continue through nearby webcams to explore different parts of Switzerland.