Hoher Kasten
Elevate Your Adventure at Hoher Kasten
Hoher Kasten: Top of Appenzell
Reach the top of Appenzell via cable car for panoramic views, alpine gardens, and a revolving restaurant experience at 1,794 meters.
Ascend to the summit of Hoher Kasten via cable car for breathtaking panoramic views of six countries and the Alpstein mountains. Explore the summit's circular trail, alpine garden with over 300 plant species, and revolving restaurant. It's an easily accessible alpine experience suitable for a variety of interests and abilities.
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, Bahnhof, take bus 192 to Brülisau, Kastenbahn. The Hoher Kasten cable car station is a 1-minute walk from the bus stop. A single bus fare from Weissbad to Brülisau costs approximately CHF 2-4. From Brülisau, take the cable car to the summit. A round trip ticket costs CHF 40 for adults; children under 16 ride free. Departures are every 20 minutes.
Driving
From Appenzell, drive south towards Brülisau. Follow the signs to the Hoher Kasten cable car. The cable car station is located at Dorf 22, 9058 Brülisau. Parking is available next to the cable car station. Parking fees apply on all marked parking spaces in Brülisau. The first 90 minutes are free, 91 min - 4 hours costs CHF 1.50 - 3.00, 4-12 hours costs CHF 3.00 - 5.00 and a full day costs CHF 8.00. Payment is possible via Parkingpay, Easyparking app, TWINT or CHF coins.
Local tips
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Check the Hoher Kasten website for current opening times and trail conditions, especially during shoulder seasons.
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Visit on a clear day to maximize the panoramic views of six countries.
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Consider a one-way cable car ticket and hike down for a more immersive experience of the Alpstein region.
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Arrive early, especially on weekends, as the parking lot can fill up quickly.
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, south of Appenzell, its summit offers stunning 360° views of six countries: Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, France, Italy and Switzerland.
Since 1964, the cable car has whisked visitors to the top, revealing idyllic landscapes and traditional Appenzell farmhouses along the way. At the summit, a revolving restaurant offers a unique dining experience, rotating once per hour to showcase the surrounding panorama. The mountain also features a wheelchair-friendly circular trail, the Europa Rundweg, with viewing spots, telescopes, and informative boards.
Explore the Alpine Garden to discover over 300 species of Alpstein plants. For those interested in geology, a geologic hike explains the region's rock formations. Hoher Kasten serves as an ideal starting point for hikes into the Alpstein area. More challenging hikes lead to mountain huts and nearby lakes. The Hoher Kasten combines natural beauty with accessibility, making it a memorable destination in the Appenzell region.
A brief summary to Hoher Kasten
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