Hoher Kasten
Elevate Your Adventure at Hoher Kasten
Hoher Kasten: Summit Views of Six Countries
Experience panoramic views from the summit of Hoher Kasten, accessible by cable car, featuring a revolving restaurant and hiking trails.
Ascend to the summit of Hoher Kasten via a scenic cable car ride from Brülisau and be rewarded with panoramic views encompassing six countries. Explore the summit's circular trail, dine in the revolving restaurant, or embark on a challenging hike in the Alpstein region.
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 major hubs like Gossau or St. Gallen, take the Appenzell Railways to Weissbad. From Weissbad station, a PostBus connects directly to the Hoher Kasten cable car base station in Brülisau. A 20% discount on the cable car fare is available if arriving/departing by public transport. PostBus tickets from Weissbad to Brülisau cost approximately CHF 3-5.
Driving
Reach Brülisau by car via Appenzell – Steinegg or Appenzell – Weissbad. Follow signs to the Hoher Kasten cable car. Sufficient parking is available at the base station. Parking is free for the first 90 minutes. 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 5.00-8.00 for 12-24 hours, with a daily rate of CHF 8.00. Payment is accepted via coins (Swiss francs only), Parkingpay or Easypark apps, or TWINT.
Gondola
From Brülisau, the Hoher Kasten cable car (Kastenbahn) provides direct access to the summit. The cable car departs every 20 minutes and the journey takes 8 minutes. A return ticket costs CHF 40 for adults. Children up to 15 years ride for free. Check the timetable for the last descent.
Local tips
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Check the weather forecast before your visit to ensure clear views from the summit.
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Take advantage of the free parking for up to 90 minutes at the cable car station.
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Visit the revolving restaurant for a unique dining experience with ever-changing views.
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Consider purchasing tickets online via the "Hoher Kasten" App to avoid queues.
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Enjoy a discount on the cable car journey when travelling by public transport.
Discover more about Hoher Kasten
Hoher Kasten, a 1,794-meter-high mountain in the Appenzell Alps, straddles the border between St. Gallen and Appenzell Innerrhoden. Easily accessible via cable car from Brülisau, south of Appenzell, the summit offers breathtaking 360° views of six countries: Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, France, Italy and Switzerland.
Construction on Hoher Kasten began in 1963, with the mountain station and restaurant tunnel blasted into the rock. The cable car's maiden voyage took place in August 1964. Today, visitors can enjoy the summit's attractions, including a revolving restaurant that completes a rotation every hour, a barrier-free circular trail, and the Alpine Garden.
For those seeking a more active experience, Hoher Kasten serves as a starting point for hikes into the Alpstein area. A geological hiking trail, opened in 1971, provides insights into the region's geological history. Keep in mind that the hikes to Hoher Kasten are mostly difficult, with some sections being steeply uphill.
A brief summary to Hoher Kasten
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