The best gravel rides around Herisau

Herisau offers a wide selection of gravel bike trails, with over 130 routes to explore. These range from easy to difficult, ensuring options for various skill levels.

Yes, Herisau has a few easy gravel bike trails perfect for beginners. While most routes are moderate to difficult, you can find options that provide a gentler introduction to gravel biking in the pre-alpine landscape.

For those seeking longer rides, routes like the Haggen Bridge (Ganggelibrugg) – St. Anton Viewpoint loop from St. Gallen Haggen cover over 65 km. Another substantial option is the Pre-Alpine landscape – Haggen Bridge (Ganggelibrugg) loop from St. Gallen Bruggen, which is nearly 60 km long.

Herisau is known for its challenging terrain, with over 90 difficult gravel routes. Many of these feature significant elevation changes, such as the Haggen Bridge (Ganggelibrugg) – Wenigerweier loop from Bruggen, which includes over 1100 meters of ascent.

The pre-alpine landscape around Herisau is generally best enjoyed from spring through autumn. During these seasons, the weather is more stable, and the trails are typically clear of snow, offering optimal conditions for exploring the varied terrain and scenic viewpoints.

Many of the gravel bike routes in Herisau are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish at the same point. Examples include the Espel Viewing Platform – View of the Sitter Viaduct loop from St. Gallen Bruggen and the Schwellbrunn – Gübsensee West Dam loop from St. Gallen Bruggen.

The gravel biking experience in Herisau is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.4 stars from over 240 reviews. Riders often praise the diverse pre-alpine scenery, the challenging climbs, and the impressive views of landmarks like the Haggen Bridge and Sitter Viaduct.

The gravel trails around Herisau offer views of notable structures such as the Haggen Bridge and the Sitter Viaduct. You can also find scenic viewpoints like the Espel Viewing Platform. Additionally, the region is home to several natural attractions, including various caves and lakes, such as Wenigerweier.

Many routes around Herisau start from locations like St. Gallen Bruggen or St. Gallen Haggen, which are typically well-connected by public transport in Switzerland. This makes it convenient to reach the starting points of your gravel biking adventures without a car.

Beyond the iconic Haggen Bridge and Sitter Viaduct, the area features several beautiful lakes, including Drei Weieren (St. Gallen) and Hauptwil Pond. You might also discover unique geological formations like the Brudertobel Cave with Waterfall.

While many routes in Herisau feature significant elevation changes and are rated as difficult, there are a few easier trails that might be suitable for families with some biking experience. It's recommended to check the difficulty rating and elevation profile of specific routes before heading out with children.