Schwägalp and the NaturErlebnispark Schwägalp/Säntis nature theme park offer rural diversity: the region is the natural habitat of fore-Alpine plants and animals, agricultural landscape, leisure and recreational area and hikers’ paradise bedded in majestic scenery. Schwägalp is part of a marshland that is included in the Federal Inventory of Landscapes of National Significance. A path leads into the heart of the mysterious moor with its rare plants and animals.

There are further theme trails on subjects such as man and the environment, forests, mountain agriculture and geology. The nature theme park has been given the «Schweiz pur» label of excellence by Switzerland Tourism. Schwägalp is a destination on the public transport bus routes from Urnäsch in Appenzell and Nesslau-Neu St. Johann in Toggenburg. The Berghotel Schwägalp, built in traditional Appenzell style and boasting a large sunny terrace, is situated at the heart of the nature theme park near the lower terminus of the Säntis aerial cableway. During the summer season, a demonstration dairy at Schwägalp introduces visitors to the ins and outs of cheese-making.

Winter activities are plentiful and varied. There is a family-friendly ski lift accessing downhill runs, rides in horse-drawn sleighs, snowshoe trekking, winter hiking and Nordic walking on hiking trails that are maintained year-round. A ride on the aerial cableway awards a breathtaking view of the rugged Säntis north face and, at the Säntis peak at 2502 metres altitude, views from the Bodensee (Lake Constance), over the western Austrian region of Vorarlberg to Graubunden, Glarus and Bernese Alps. On a clear day, you can see as far as the French Vosges Mountains and the Black Forest, which means surveying six countries: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, Italy and France. The Säntis peak is the starting point for many mountain hikes, for instance the 3.5-hour mainly downhill route over the Rotstein Pass via Meglisalp and Seealpsee to Wasserauen.