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 and accessible trails in the Appenzell Alps.
Ascend to the summit of Hoher Kasten via cable car for breathtaking panoramic views of six countries and the Alpstein mountains. A revolving restaurant and accessible circular trail await at the top, making it a memorable experience for all.
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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. From Schwende, transfer to bus 192 to Brülisau, Kastenbahn. The bus stop is a short walk to the Hoher Kasten cable car station. A single bus fare from Weissbad to Brülisau costs approximately CHF 3-6. Alternatively, take the train to Weissbad and then the PostBus route 192 to Brülisau. Consider Appenzell PubliCar for on-demand service.
Driving
From Appenzell, follow the road towards Brülisau. The Hoher Kasten cable car station is located at Dorf 22, 9058 Brülisau. There is a large parking lot next to the cable car station. Parking is free for the first 90 minutes, then costs 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. A full day of parking costs CHF 8.00. 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; clear days offer the best views of the surrounding countries.
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Arrive early, especially on weekends, as the parking lot at the base of the cable car can fill up quickly.
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Consider hiking down from Hoher Kasten for a different perspective of the landscape; various trails cater to different fitness levels.
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Take advantage of the free parking for up to 90 minutes if you are just making a quick visit to the base of the cable car.
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If traveling by public transport, you may be eligible for a 20% discount on the cable car ride.
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 a scenic cable car ride from Brülisau, Hoher Kasten has been a popular destination since the first cable car began operating in 1964.
At the summit, visitors can enjoy a 360° panoramic view encompassing six countries: Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, France and Liechtenstein. The summit features a revolving restaurant that completes a rotation in about an hour, offering ever-changing vistas. A barrier-free European circular trail ensures everyone can appreciate the views. The mountain is also the starting point for various hikes into the Alpstein area.
In addition to the views, Hoher Kasten boasts an Alpine garden with over 300 plant species. The mountain's history is also fascinating, with the first geological hiking trail in Switzerland opening here in 1971. Today, Hoher Kasten continues to evolve, with ongoing maintenance and potential plans for a new cable car system.
A brief summary to Hoher Kasten
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