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Photo: Falko Burghausen, beAnywhere
On the lake’s northern shore, the trail leaves the Alpstrasse and continues in switchbacks up to the Altenalp mountain hut (1,525 m), with some short sections already secured by wire ropes. From Altenalp, the most challenging part of the hike begins: extremely steep, exposed, and secured throughout with wire ropes and iron pegs, the trail leads over loose gravel to the summit ridge and finally to the summit of the Schäfler at 1,925 m.
From the summit, the view stretches across the Appenzell Alps and the Alpine foothills all the way to Lake Constance; on clear days, it extends as far as Germany and Austria. A few meters below lies the Schäfler mountain inn, offering a wide selection of food and drinks.
The descent heads toward Ebenalp, with the option of a detour to the world-famous Äscher mountain inn. From Ebenalp, the aerial tramway takes hikers comfortably back to Wasserauen.
Author’s recommendation
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Safety information
This tour is rated T3 and requires sure-footedness, a head for heights, and alpine experience. Starting at Seealpsee, the trail is steep and exposed in places; from Altenalp onward, it becomes consistently challenging: steep sections secured with wire ropes and iron pegs over loose gravel, some of which require light use of the hands. The traverse around the summit ridge requires full concentration and a head for heights once again.In wet conditions or where snow remains, the entire route from Seealpsee quickly becomes treacherous, especially the exposed north-facing ridge section at the summit. Despite their tranquil appearance, the Appenzell Alps are repeatedly the scene of serious mountain accidents. The tour should therefore only be attempted in dry conditions and with ample time to spare.
Tips and suggestions
Roadbook
From the Altenalp, the most challenging section of the trail begins: extremely steep, exposed, and secured throughout with wire ropes and iron pegs, the path leads to the summit ridge of the Schäfler. On the ridge, the route meets the trail coming from the west via Läden and follows it for a few meters eastward around the summit before a short detour leads to the summit. The Schäfler mountain inn is located a few meters below the summit.
The descent is technically easier, leading via Point 1830 to an alpine hut at Point 1724, where the trail forks. Continuing straight ahead takes you on a long traverse to Point 1630, from where you can either take a slight detour to the Ebenalp mountain inn or descend directly to the Ebenalp cable car’s mountain station.
Appenzell Railways Museum
Wasserauen
Berggasthaus Seealpsee
Seealpsee
Seealpkäserei
Schäfler
Berghaus Schäfler
Berggasthaus Ebenalp
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Wasserauen is the terminus of the Appenzeller Bahnen railway and is therefore easily accessible by public transportation, including from St. Gallen and Urnäsch. Traveling by train is the more relaxing option, especially on busy days, since on-site parking is limited.Directions
From Appenzell, the road leads through Weissbad into the valley and on to Wasserauen; the route is well-marked throughout. Alternatively, the Appenzeller Bahnen trains run directly to Wasserauen.Parking
Parking in Wasserauen is limited and fills up quickly, especially on nice summer weekends. When it gets very crowded, people often park in nearby fields. If you want to be flexible or avoid waiting, it’s best to arrive early or take the well-connected train to Wasserauen.Coordinates
Book recommendations for this region:
Equipment
- Sturdy, non-slip hiking boots with a good tread
- Hiking or trekking poles (helpful on steep sections; stow them away as needed at sections secured with wire ropes)
- Weatherproof layered clothing, even in summer conditions (due to wind and temperature differences at the summit)
- Sufficient water and food, supplemented by places to stop for refreshments at Seealpsee, Altenalp, and Schäfler
- Sun protection (headwear, sunscreen) for the mostly sun-exposed sections
- Small first-aid kit
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions