Gonten – an idyll with a rich history

The high valley of Gonten was already settled in the 11th century. Its name derives from the former marshy pools (“gunten”) that once shaped the landscape. Today, Gonten is a popular excursion destination and a starting point for a wide range of leisure activities, especially in nature.

Dairy farming, livestock breeding, and hand embroidery continued to shape the region well into the 20th century. As part of the pilgrimage route to the Black Madonna in Einsiedeln, Gonten also lies on the Way of St. James and was popular with pilgrims from an early age; many a traveler is likely to have stayed overnight at the “Bären.” From the 17th century onwards, Gonten was even known as an independent Marian pilgrimage site. The parish church of St. Verena, with a Madonna statue from that period and a crucifix dating back to 1320, remains one of the most renowned landmarks. The Leiden Christ Monastery in Jakobsbad can also be reached from Gonten via the barefoot path. In addition to the historic Huus Bären, the Rothuus—built as a civic house in the 18th century and distinguished by its red façade—is also of historical significance and today serves as a center for Appenzell and Toggenburg folk music.

Gonten also offers a golf course, a cable car to Kronberg, as well as a rope park and an adventure park. With the first snowfall, the Gonten plateau and the Appenzell region transform into a winter paradise, featuring countless cross-country ski trails, winter hiking paths, snowshoe routes, ski slopes, and sledding runs. Gonten even has its own ski lift called Alpsteinblick, as well as a sledding run from Kronberg down to Jakobsbad.