Hoher Kasten
Elevate Your Adventure at Hoher Kasten
Hoher Kasten: Top of Appenzell
Experience breathtaking panoramic views from the summit of Hoher Kasten, with its revolving restaurant, alpine garden, and hiking trails.
Ascend to the summit of Hoher Kasten via cable car for breathtaking panoramic views of six countries. Explore the revolving restaurant, alpine garden, and hiking trails, offering a blend of natural beauty and Swiss hospitality.
Plan your visit
A brief summary to Hoher Kasten
Opening times, essentials, and a few local tips gathered into one calmer, easier-to-scan planning section.
Plan your visit
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Getting There
Public Transport
From Appenzell, take the S23 train to Weissbad. From Weissbad, transfer to the 192 bus towards Brülisau, Kastenbahn. The bus stops a short walk from the Hoher Kasten cable car station. A train ticket from Appenzell to Weissbad costs approximately CHF 4-6. The bus ride from Weissbad to Brülisau is about CHF 2-3. Enjoy a 20% discount on the cable car journey when showing a public transport ticket.
Driving
From Appenzell, follow the road towards Brülisau. Upon arrival in Brülisau, follow signs to the Hoher Kasten cable car. Parking is available at the base of the cable car station. Parking fees range from CHF 1.50-3.00 for 91 minutes to 4 hours, CHF 3.00-5.00 for 4-12 hours, and CHF 8.00 for a full day. Register your vehicle at the parking meters or via the Parkinpay or EasyPark apps.
Cable Car
The final ascent to Hoher Kasten is via the Hoher Kasten cable car from Brülisau. A round trip ticket costs CHF 40 for adults and is free for children up to 15 years old. A single trip ticket costs CHF 28 for adults and is free for children up to 15 years old. The cable car operates every 20 minutes.
Local tips
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Check the weather forecast before heading up, as conditions can change rapidly at high altitudes.
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Visit during off-peak hours to avoid crowds at the revolving restaurant.
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Take advantage of the free admission for children up to 15 years old.
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Explore the Alpine Garden to discover a variety of plant species.
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Consider hiking down instead of taking the cable car for a more immersive experience.
Discover more about Hoher Kasten
Hoher Kasten, a 1,794-meter-high mountain in the Appenzell Alps, straddles the border between the cantons of St. Gallen and Appenzell Innerrhoden. Easily accessible via cable car from Brülisau, it offers stunning 360° views encompassing Lake Constance, the Rhine Valley, Vorarlberg, Liechtenstein, Appenzell, and the Alpstein massif. On a clear day, you can even spot the highest peaks of Germany in Bavaria and the Swiss Mittelland stretching to the Jura mountains.
The mountain's history dates back to the early 19th century when ascents were described in alpine literature. In 1964, the cable car was constructed, making the summit accessible to all. Today, Hoher Kasten is known as the "Rigi of Eastern Switzerland".
At the summit, a revolving restaurant offers culinary delights with constantly changing views. The barrier-free Europa Rundweg circular trail provides panoramic vistas, while the alpine garden showcases over 300 species of Alpstein plants. For those seeking adventure, various hiking trails cater to different skill levels, including the geological hiking trail that explains the region's unique rock formations.
A brief summary to Hoher Kasten
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