The Berggasthaus Aescher is probably the best-known and most photographed mountain hut in the world and the figurehead for Swiss tourism. The Aescher can also be reached via Ebenalp cable car for less sporty tourists… but this variant is clearly too easy for us 😉 We want to have earned the rösti and apple strudel by covering a few meters in altitude 🤣
The Alpstein is a wonderful hiking area in the Appenzell Alps. Here you can find trails for every level. Although we wanted to actively explore the area … nonetheless, we first took the Ebenalp cable car from Wasserauen and thus reached a lead of 1,600 meters.
We decided to hike over the Chlus Alp up to the Berggasthaus Schäfler (approx. 1 hour walk). A relatively easy and promising path leads to the Chlus Alp, the steep ascent to the Schäfler (at 1925 m) had cost us a few beads of sweat after all 🤣
The effort had paid off, however. The view was simply phenomenal 😍 When we thought the panorama couldn’t be even more beautiful and we started to rest on the terrace of the Gasthaus Schäfler, we caught the spectacular view of the imposing limestone massif of the Alpstein and the Säntis behind the restaurant 😍
Berggasthaus Schäfler
Now we treated ourselves to a rösti with bacon and of course an Appenzeller beer 😋
We saved the dessert for our next destination … the Berggasthaus Aescher … the tourist magnet par excellence.
We hiked back to Chlus Alp and then turned off to the right. We continued down a narrow path until we finally saw the backside of the Äscher hut.
backside of Gasthaus Aescher
Admittedly, the inn doesn’t look particularly spectacular from the back. When we got closer and watched the crowd around the seats, we immediately decided to continue walking. Just a few more pictures from the front (the most photographed inn in Switzerland) and on to the Wildkirchli … we thought. However, we were very lucky and a place became available on the terrace as we walked by. So nothing stood in the way of an apple strudel with vanilla ice cream 😋
Strengthened, we started the last part of the hike back to the Ebenalpbahn (approx. 20 minutes). The path leads through the three caves, past the Wildkirchli with the St. Michael cave chapel.
Our personal opinion about this hike:
- beautiful panorama
- surefootedness and fitness required
- the Aescher is a bit overrated, at Schäfler we had more peace and quiet to enjoy the view
Restaurants:
- Berggasthaus Aescher
- Berggasthaus Schäfler
- Berggasthaus Ebenalp
- Hotel Alpenrose in Wasserauen
The following links could be helpful:
More tips & recommendations:
The rush for the parking spaces at the Wasserauen-Ebenalp cable car station can have a deterrent effect. However, many hikers choose the route to Seealpsee instead of the cable car, so the crowds are very well distributed on the mountain.
We needed about 2.5 hours walking time.
Route: mountain station Ebenalp – Chlus Alp – Schäfler – Chlus Alp (turn right) – Aescher – Wildkirchli – mountain station Ebenalp
Last but not least, you are more than welcome to enjoy our video from this hike 😊
