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at your own pace
4 days
85 km
~21 km/day
moderate
Rorschach
ends Einsiedeln
2–12
participants
Casual+ Inns (4★)
Jun – Sep
Experience the charm of the Via Jacobi pilgrimage route starting at picturesque Lake Constance. This captivating journey takes you through the historic UNESCO World Heritage old town of St. Gallen, into the rolling hills of Appenzell with its unique customs and renowned cheese, and through the scenic Toggenburg region to Lake Zurich.
Walk along Rapperswil's Mediterranean-style lake promenade before crossing the wooden footbridge to Hurden. Continue over the Etzelpass to reach Einsiedeln, Switzerland's most important pilgrimage site, passing the romantic Lake Sihlsee. Charming villages and stunning lake views accompany you throughout this unforgettable Swiss hiking adventure.
Highlights
Explore the historic old town of St. Gallen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit the stunning Stift Library, one of the world's oldest and most beautiful monastic libraries with its magnificent baroque architecture.
Journey through the charming hilly landscape of Appenzell with its unique customs, renowned cheese-making tradition, and the occasional 'juchzer' (traditional yodel). Experience the authentic rural Swiss culture as you traverse beautiful sunken paths and rolling hills.
Walk across the modern wooden footbridge from Rapperswil to Hurden with Mediterranean-style promenades, then ascend over the Etzelpass with spectacular views of Lake Zurich before arriving at Einsiedeln, Switzerland's most important pilgrimage destination.
6 Days from $1,595
Free cancellation · Up to 60 days before group departure
| Day | Place | Casual+ Inns | Meals | Distance | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Rorschach | Hotel Mozart | - | - | |
| 02 | St. Gallen | Sorell Boutique Hotel (4-Star) | B | 16 km / 10 mi | hiking |
| 03 | Lichtensteig | Konditorei Huber | B | 24 km / 15 mi | hiking |
| 04 | Rapperswil | Hotel LO! | B | 28 km / 17 mi | hiking |
| 05 | Einsiedeln | St. Georg | B | 17 km / 11 mi | hiking |
| 06 | Departure | - | B | - |
Meals: B = Breakfast · L = Lunch · D = Dinner
Listed hotels are subject to availability and may be replaced with similar alternatives.
Arrival in Rorschach, a picturesque town located on the shores of Lake Constance. This charming lakeside town has historically served as an important pilgrimage stop along the Swiss section of the Way of St. James. After check-in at your hotel, you can explore the lakeside promenade or enjoy the scenic views across the lake. Overnight stay in Rorschach.
Meals: -
Accommodation: Hotel Mozart
Your hiking journey begins along the Via Jacobi trail, leading through gentle countryside and charming villages towards St. Gallen. This historic town is famous for its beautifully preserved old town and the Abbey of St. Gallen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A highlight of the day is the visit to the remarkable Abbey Library, one of the oldest and most significant monastic libraries in the world. Overnight stay in St. Gallen.
Meals: B
Hiking Distance: 16 km / 10 mi
Accommodation: Sorell Boutique Hotel (4-Star)
A short train ride takes you to Herisau, the historic parish centre of Appenzell dating back to the early medieval period. From here, the trail winds through the scenic Appenzell and Toggenburg hills, passing traditional farms, green pastures, and small villages. After reaching Wattwil, you take a short bus transfer to the nearby village of Lichtensteig, where you will spend the night.
Meals: B
Hiking Distance: 24 km / 15 mi
Accommodation: Konditorei Huber
After a short bus ride back to Wattwil, the trail continues through rolling countryside dotted with farms and forests. The peaceful rural scenery and charming sunken paths make this stage particularly scenic. The hike ends in Rapperswil, known as the “Town of Roses,” located on the shores of Lake Zurich with a lovely lakeside promenade and medieval castle. Overnight stay in Rapperswil.
Meals: B
Hiking Distance: 28 km / 17 mi
Accommodation: Hotel LO!
Today’s hike begins by crossing the famous wooden footbridge between Rapperswil and Hurden, one of the longest wooden bridges in Switzerland. The trail then climbs over the Etzel Pass, offering beautiful views of Lake Zurich. Your journey concludes in Einsiedeln, Switzerland’s most important pilgrimage destination, known for the magnificent Einsiedeln Abbey and the nearby Lake Sihlsee. Overnight stay in Einsiedeln.
Meals: B
Hiking Distance: 17 km / 11 mi
Accommodation: St. Georg
After breakfast, your hiking tour comes to an end. Individual departure from Einsiedeln or the possibility to extend your stay and explore more of the surrounding alpine landscape.
Meals: B
Lodging
All hotels as mentioned in the tour details or similar (subject to availability).
Luggage Transfer
Transportation of luggage from one hotel to another.
Meals
Meals as per itinerary. Guests are given the opportunity to dine on their own so that they discover a location independently.
· Accommodation as mentioned incl. breakfast · Daily luggage transfer (1 piece of luggage per person, max. 20 kg) · Subsidy for arrival by train · Visit to the abbey library in St. Gallen · Carefully elaborated route description · Digital travel documents incl. navigation app
Airport Pickup
We recommend to book directly from airport.
Airport Drop
We recommend to book directly from your last hotel.
Beverages
Beverages such as alcohol, tea, coffee, juice at a hotel or restaurant.
Gratuity
Gratuities for your guide team are not included in the trip price.
Rorschach
Einsiedeln
Zurich Airport (ZRH)
Zurich Airport (ZRH)
Arrival:
The tour begins with arrival in Rorschach, a charming town located on the shores of Lake Constance in eastern Switzerland. The nearest international airport is Zurich Airport (ZRH), approximately 1–1.5 hours away by train. From Zurich Airport, travellers can easily reach Rorschach via Switzerland’s efficient rail network with connections through Zurich or St. Gallen. The railway station in Rorschach is centrally located, making it convenient to reach hotels and the starting point of the Via Jacobi trail.
Departure:
The tour concludes in the historic pilgrimage town of Einsiedeln, famous for the impressive Einsiedeln Abbey and its serene alpine setting. The nearest international airport for departure is Zurich Airport (ZRH), which can be reached in around 1.5 hours by train from Einsiedeln via Zurich. Regular train connections make the onward journey smooth and convenient for travellers continuing their trip or returning home.
The Via Jacobi hike from Rorschach to Einsiedeln generally experiences mild and pleasant weather from spring to early autumn (March–October), which is the operating season of the tour. Temperatures typically range between 10°C and 22°C, making it comfortable for long hiking days. Spring and early summer bring lush green landscapes and blooming alpine meadows, though occasional rain showers are possible, so a light waterproof jacket is recommended.
During July and August, the warmest months, daytime temperatures can reach around 20–25°C, with clear views across Lake Constance, the Appenzell hills, and Lake Zurich. By September and October, the weather becomes cooler and crisp, with beautiful autumn colors along the trails and around Einsiedeln. Overall, the region’s temperate alpine climate provides fresh air, moderate temperatures, and scenic hiking conditions throughout the season.
January
Offseason
February
Offseason
March
Mixed
April
Mixed
May
Good
June
Best
July
Best
August
Best
September
Best
October
Mixed
November
Offseason
December
Offseason
Packing wisely ensures comfort and safety on your hiking adventure. This list covers essential hiking gear, clothing, and travel items to help you handle varied terrain and weather conditions.
Please limit your luggage to one medium-sized suitcase and one daypack. Mark your luggage clearly with your name, address, and phone number.
Before venturing on your adventure, make sure you're equipped with essential travel advice, including security updates, local laws, and crucial passport and visa information. Start by visiting the official government website of your home country for accurate and reliable guidance:
Note: Passport and visa regulations can change at any time. Check for updates close to departure to avoid last-minute issues.
Medical insurance that covers medical costs in case of an accident during the trip is mandatory to participate in our tours.
We recommend purchasing adequate travel insurance to protect yourself from unforeseen events. Our experience shows that guests who purchase travel insurance, including coverage for all activities on the itinerary, trip cancellation, interruption, delay, baggage damage, loss or theft, personal accident, death and repatriation costs, medical and emergency expenses, and personal liability, travel with greater peace of mind.
Is proof of medical insurance required?
Yes. You must provide your insurer's name, policy number, and emergency contact through our reservation form. If you cannot provide proof, you'll need to purchase insurance before traveling with us.
Can I use my credit card insurance?
Yes, as long as it meets our requirements and provides adequate coverage. Keep your emergency contact number and policy number accessible while traveling.
When should I buy travel insurance?
Purchase travel insurance as soon as you've paid in full or booked your flights.
Does Art of Bicycle Trips sell travel insurance?
We do not sell travel insurance directly. We recommend comparing policies and choosing the one that best fits your needs. A useful place to start is Insured Nomads.
