Jakobsweg: Sankt Gallen to Herisau: 31 October 2010

Arriving back in Sankt Gallen, while keen to continue the next part of my journey, I really didn't expect much excitement. I knew the walk out of Sankt Gallen would take me through the generally uninteresting outskirts of a large town. However, it was a beautifully clear day and I enjoyed a quick revisit of the abbey square before following the scallop's shell sign out of town.

It took some time finally to exit the town suburbs, but the way was not without interest. The small chapel above the path was worth a photo. Just before the large modern "Furstenland" bridge over the river Sitter, the road winds down to the older "Krazern" bridge, at the end of which is an old toll house that marks the border between the Sankt Gallen and Appenzell cantons. The uphill walk eventually leads to the beautiful "Gubsen" lake which was surrounded by trees showing their autumn colours.



The "Alter Zoll", no longer a functioning restaurant although it is marked as one, was formerly a customs post for the canton border that has just been crossed. From there the path leads upwards, over the crest of the hill and past the cemetery. Below is a view of what seems to be an army barracks, and the path descends through a residential area into the old part of Herisau.
There was just time for a quick walk to the other edge of town, looking for where Jakobsweg continues, a clear view of the mountain, Santis, still with snow on the top, then it was back to the train station and home.

St Gallen to Herisau