Hoher Kasten
Elevate Your Adventure at Hoher Kasten
Hoher Kasten: Top of Appenzell
Experience breathtaking panoramic views from the summit of Hoher Kasten, the Top of Appenzell, accessible by cable car from Brülisau.
Ascend to the summit of Hoher Kasten via gondola for breathtaking panoramic views of six countries. Enjoy the revolving restaurant, alpine garden, and hiking trails suitable for all skill levels.
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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 Schwende. From Schwende, you can take a 29-minute walk to Brülisau. Alternatively, from Appenzell, take the S23 train to Weissbad, Bahnhof, then the 192 bus to Brülisau, Kastenbahn. From Brülisau, purchase a round-trip ticket for the Hoher Kasten cable car. A round trip costs CHF 40 for adults. A one way trip costs CHF 28 for adults. Children up to 15 years of age ride for free. A 20% discount on the cable car journey is available if arriving/departing by public transport.
Car
Drive to Brülisau, Dorf 22, 9058. From Zurich, take the A4 motorway towards Chur, then merge onto the A13 towards Sargans. Take the exit for Appenzell and follow signs for Appenzell and then Brülisau. Parking is available at the lower terminus of the cable car. Parking is free for up to 90 minutes. Parking fees range from CHF 1.50 to CHF 8.00, depending on the length of stay. Payment can be made with coins (Swiss francs only), Parkingpay or Easypark apps, or TWINT.
Local tips
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Check the weather forecast before you go; the views are best on a clear day.
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Visit the revolving restaurant for a unique dining experience with ever-changing panoramic views.
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Take a stroll through the Alpine garden to discover a variety of Alpstein plants.
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Hike the geological trail to learn about the region's unique rock formations.
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Consider visiting on your birthday for a free cable car ride with valid ID.
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. Since 1964, a cable car from Brülisau has provided direct access to the summit.
At the summit, a revolving restaurant offers stunning 360-degree views. Informative panorama boards and free telescopes aid in identifying the surrounding peaks. A wheelchair-friendly panoramic trail encircles the summit, and the Alpine garden showcases over 300 species of Alpstein plants. The geological hike explains the region's rock formations.
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 on August 11, 1964. In 1971, the first geological hiking trail in Switzerland was opened here. The Hoher Kasten is a popular destination, with 224,441 visitors in a recent year.
A brief summary to Hoher Kasten
Use Tower Bridge as your starting point for nearby food, family ideas, nightlife, and more local discoveries.
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