Wildkirchli/Äscher/Ebenalp

For centuries the Wildkirchli area has exerted a singular appeal and is still today one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Appenzellerland.

A cable car transports visitors in comfort from Wasserauen up to Ebenalp. From Ebenalp, a short walk on a well-maintained hiking trail passes through the Wildkirchli Caves to the hermitage and the chapel. The trail then continues eastwards along a rock face, through a wooden gallery, to Berggasthaus Aescher, a mountain inn and restaurant.

Built in 1955, the cable car between Wasserauen (868 metres above sea level) and Ebenalp (1,644 metres above sea level) transports up to 200,000 visitors every year. This state-of-the-art cable car will whisk you from Wasserauen up to Ebenalp in less than six minutes.

The cabin holds up to 40 persons and runs every 15 minutes.

There is a large car park adjacent to the cable car valley station in Wasserauen. The terminus of Appenzellerbahnen (Appenzell Railways), which operates train services from Gossau and St. Gallen to Wasserauen, is also located here.

The Cave Chapel was established in 1621; the Hermit’s House was built in 1658 and offered sanctuary to hermits until 1853. It later became an inn. Today the small museum is a reconstruction of the former Hermit’s House and was built in 1972 on the site of the old inn.

Enjoying a spectacular location nestled on a rock face 100 metres high, the mountain hostelry has always been – and continues to be – extremely popular. Indeed, the Aescher was named “Mountain Inn of the Year 2012” by a jury comprising experts from the fields of conservation, architecture, history and the hotel and restaurant industry.

From easy strolls to demanding mountain hikes – Ebenalp offers something for every taste.

Some of the most picturesque hiking routes of the entire Alpstein region start and end on Ebenalp.

The mountain inns around Ebenalp tempt visitors with a variety of food and drink and also offer excellent accommodation for families, clubs and societies.

Thanks to its optimal location and outstanding thermal conditions, Ebenalp has become one of the most popular "flying mountains" in Switzerland among paragliding and hang gliding pilots.

Information

Altitude: 1640m Accessibility: Train to Appenzell and on to Wasserauen, cable car to the Ebenalp View: Over the Seealp and Meglisalp, Säntis, Altmann and Hoher Kasten, over Appenzell country and Lake Constance to Germany and further west to Feldberg Attractions: Alpine garden by the Berggasthaus Ebenalp Culinary aspects: Hearty and wholesome Appenzeller specialities Winter: Winter sports region with ski-lifts on the Ebenalp Special comments: A safe path via Aescher leads through the caves