Herisau (alt. 778 m/2,553ft; pop. 15,000), capital of the half-canton of Ausserrhoden, lies at the junction of the St Gallen - Wattwil (Bodensee - Toggenburg - Bahn) and Gossach - Urnäsch - Appenzell (Appenzellerbahn) railroad lines, and has a postal bus service to Hundwil - Teufen - Speicher - Trogen and Schwellbrun. The straggling little town
has a beautiful square with a local market and industrial focal point.
A good impression of the character of the half-canton can be gained on the drive from Herisau to St Margrethen (49km/30mi), via Waldstatt, Teufen (18km/11mi), Trogen (25km/16mi), Heiden (35km/22mi) and Walzenhausen. The road crosses a number of deep gorges, including the Hundwiler Tobel near Waldstatt (concrete viaduct with a span of 105km/345ft).