Hoher Kasten
Elevate Your Adventure at Hoher Kasten
Hoher Kasten: Top of Appenzell
Experience breathtaking 360° views from the revolving restaurant atop Hoher Kasten, a jewel in the Appenzell Alps, accessible by cable car.
Ascend to the summit of Hoher Kasten via cable car for breathtaking 360° panoramic views encompassing six countries. Explore the summit's revolving restaurant, alpine garden, and geological hiking trail for an unforgettable alpine experience.
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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.
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Getting There
Public Transport
From Appenzell, take the S23 train to Schwende (6 minutes). From Schwende, it's a 29-minute walk to the Brülisau cable car station. Alternatively, take the S23 train to Weissbad, then the 192 bus to Brülisau, Kastenbahn. From the Brülisau, Kastenbahn bus stop, the cable car station is a short walk. A train ticket from Appenzell to Schwende costs approximately CHF 3-6. A bus ticket from Weissbad to Brülisau costs approximately CHF 2-4. Enjoy a 20% discount on the cable car by showing your public transport ticket.
Driving
From Appenzell, drive south towards Brülisau (about 10 minutes). Follow signs to the Hoher Kasten cable car. Ample parking is available at the base station. Parking costs CHF 8 per day. Payment is accepted via coins (Swiss francs only), Parkingpay or Easypark apps, or TWINT. Credit cards are not accepted at the parking meters. On busy days, overflow parking is available at nearby farms, payable in cash (Swiss francs only).
Cable Car
The final approach to the summit of Hoher Kasten is via the Hoher Kasten cable car from Brülisau. A round-trip ticket costs CHF 40 for adults; children up to 15 years old ride free. A one-way ticket costs CHF 28 for adults. The cable car runs every 20 minutes. Buy tickets at the station or via the Hoher Kasten app. The ride to the top takes approximately 8 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 and cable car.
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Explore the alpine garden to discover the unique flora of the Alpstein region.
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Take advantage of the 20% discount on the cable car ride by arriving via public transport.
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Consider hiking down instead of taking the cable car for a more immersive experience of the alpine scenery.
Discover more about Hoher Kasten
Hoher Kasten, a 1,794-meter peak in the Appenzell Alps, offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding alpine landscape. From the summit, accessible via cable car from Brülisau, visitors can see six countries on a clear day. The mountain is a popular destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts, providing a mix of adventure and serenity.
At the summit, a revolving restaurant offers culinary delights with a slowly rotating panorama. The barrier-free Europe circular route provides accessible viewing spots, and the alpine garden showcases over 300 species of Alpstein plants. The geological hike explains the region's unique rocky terrain.
The Hoher Kasten cable car began operating in 1964. In May 1994, the alpine garden was established. Today, Hoher Kasten is known as the 'Rigi of Eastern Switzerland'.
A brief summary to Hoher Kasten
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