Appenzell Alps
CountrySwitzerland
ParentWestern Alps
HighestSäntis
Elevation2502 m
Coordinates46°38′28″N 8°25′6″E

The Appenzell Alps (German: Appenzeller Alpen) are a mountain range in Switzerland on the northern edge of the Alps. They extend into the cantons of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden and St. Gallen (with lower summits occurring also in the cantons of Thurgau and Zurich)[a] and are bordered by the Schwyz Alps to the southwest, the Glarus Alps to the south, and the Rätikon to the south-east, and cover an area of about 1,800 km2 (690 sq mi).[1] The highest summit is the Säntis, with an elevation of 2,502 m (8,209 ft).

Sub-ranges

The range is split up into six sub-ranges:

  • Alpstein
    • Central group, highest summit: Altmann, 2,435 m (7,989 ft)
    • Northern group, highest summit: Säntis, 2,502 m (8,209 ft)
    • Southern group, highest summit: Roslen- or Saxerfirst, 2,151 m (7,057 ft)
  • Alvier group, highest summit: Gamsberg, 2,385 m (7,825 ft)
  • Churfirsten, highest summit: Hinterrugg, 2,306 m (7,566 ft)
  • Speer - Mattstock, highest summit: Speer, 1,950 m (6,400 ft)

Geography

Principal summits

The principal summits of the Appenzell Alps are:

Other interesting summits

See also

Notes

  1. ^ In the northwest and north of the Appenzell Alps, there are several proposed border demarcations between them and the Appenzell and Toggenburg regions and the Swiss Prealps: The border drawn in the Swiss Alpine Club guidebook runs along a line from Uznach over the Ricken Pass to Wattwil. From there, it ascends the Toggenburg region to Nesslau and over the Chräzeren Pass near Schwägalp to Urnäsch. From there, the border runs directly east to Appenzell and further north past the Fähnern summit into the Alpine Rhine Valley. However, peaks still exist north of this border, reaching an altitude of 1,528 metres (5,013 ft) at the Hochalp. Depending on the perspective, one or more of these northern peaks may therefore still be considered part of the Appenzell Alps.

References

  1. ^ Höhne, Ernst (1987). Die Alpen zwischen Matterhorn und Bodensee [The Alps between the Matterhorn and Lake Constance] (in German). Knaurs Lexikon für Bergfreunde / Ernst Höhne. München: Droemer Knaur. p. 29. ISBN 978-3-426-26223-8.