Seealpsee hike + Äscher: Switzerland’s most unique hike
Hike to one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in Switzerland, the Seealpsee (the LakeAlpLake in English) and continue on up to the famous Äscher guesthouse built into the mountain on top of a cliff. This hike is one-of-a-kind!
Essential Information
Where: Appenzell, Eastern Switzerland
When: May to October
Distance: 2.8km to Seealpsee + 2.2km to Berggasthaus Äscher, 2 hours one way
Difficulty: Customisable
Why do it? Where else can see a guesthouse built into a mountain and row a boat across a clear turquoise lake, all in the same day?
Where is the start of the Seealpsee hike? How do I get there?
The starting point for the Seealpsee hike, as well as the hike (or cable car) to the Berggasthaus Äscher is Wasserauen.
Zürich to Wasserauen is around 2 hours by train and 1 hour 10min by car. Luzern to Wasserauen is around 3 hours by train and 2 hours by car.
Hiking Options- Choose your own adventure
The best thing about this hike is that you can do as much or as little as you want. We did the full circuit in the map below, but you could also skip it and take the cable car straight up to Ebenalp. Read more about your options below.
Hiking Times & Distances:
1. Wasserauen-Seealpsee = 2.8km, 1hr 4 min, 280m ascent
(Optional stroll around Seealpsee = 1.5km)
2. Seealpsee-Äscher = 2.2km, 1hr 10 min, 358m ascent
3. Äscher-Wasserauen = 4.3km, 1 hr 32min, 679m descent
Total circuit = 9.8km, around 4 hours, 740m ascent/descent
Good to know: Options, Info & Tips for Seealpsee + Berggasthaus Äscher
1. Wasserauen to Seealpsee
If you look closely at the map, you can see there are two trails going to Seealpsee- one branches off through the woods, and the other is highlighted in bright red. We chose the highlighted option because it’s faster and sunnier. It’s also safer as you walk along a wide road (better for smaller children but a bit too steep for prams). The path through the woods is a narrow dirt trail, more like a hiking path.
Shorter, family friendly option: Hike only to Seealpsee, stroll around the lake and then walk back to Wasserauen. You cannot drive to Seealpsee (even though you walk along a road the whole way-this is just a service road).
What can you do at Seealpsee?
Have lunch. I recommend bringing a picnic or food for a barbeque (there are wood fired grills free to use around the lake- you’ll have to light your own fire and search for wood if there isn’t any there). Alternatively, there is a restaurant right on the lake as well.
You can hire a little row boat too- just ask at the restaurant. It costs 5chf for 30min, which is long enough, the Seealpsee isn’t that big. I recommend it, it’s lots of fun, plus you’ll be the only boat on the lake!
Stroll around the lake and admire the scenery. There’s a farm too at the far end of the lake where you can buy alpine cheese or even take a bath in whey (need to reserve) if you feel so inclined.
Swim! It’s freezing..it is an alpine lake, so be warned. The warmest it gets to in summer is around 15°.
Sleep overnight at Gasthaus Forelle or Berggasthaus Seealpsee. Keep in mind you’ll have to carry your own luggage there though.
2. Seealpsee-Berggasthaus Äscher
You have to backtrack a little along the road to Seealpsee to get back to the starting point for the hike up to the Aescher guesthouse. It’s obvious where the path is, it’s signposted. Then, you just follow the trail all the way up, through switchbacks in the forest.
Keep in mind that this is a narrow mountain path, with a steep slope on one side so it can be dangerous- this is a popular hike, many people do it, but people have also died on this trail. Take necessary precautions to be safe if you intend to do it.
Shorter, family friendly option: Catch the cablecar from Wasserauen to Ebenalp instead (36chf for an adult, return. Click here for tickets/prices). It’s a short 25min walk from Ebenalp to the Berggasthaus Äscher. The path is not suitable for prams.
Visiting Berggasthaus Äscher
The Äscher guesthouse and restaurant is open from 7.30am to 8.30pm from May to October. It can get crowded, especially on sunny weekends. You can’t reserve at the restaurant, so if you go on a popular day you’ll have to be patient and wait. If it’s too long for you, there’s another restaurant at Ebenalp near the cablecar station.
You can also stay overnight at the the Äscher guesthouse. Book online, or find other interesting information, such as more about the history of the guesthouse here.
3. Berggasthaus Äscher to Wasserauen
The final leg, return to Wasserauen is a meandering descent through farmland and forest. As you leave the guesthouse, you’ll head in the direction of Ebenalp along the cliffs and through a cave-tunnel. Then you’ll come out into the open, with impressive views over Appenzell. You might see some para gliders here too, getting ready to run off the mountain. Then it’s pretty easy the rest of the way, just follow the signs back to Wasserauen.
Our experience: Hiking Wasserauen-Seealpsee-Äscher–Wasserauen
We shared the beginning of the road to Seealpsee with a feisty cow, who did not want to share the path- I think my husband got a little to close for her liking.
We were blown away by the beauty of the Seealpsee and surrounding area and took the little row boat out for a paddle as well. The colour of the water is incredible!
We were also lucky enough to hear a couple of people playing alphorns by the lake, a traditional Swiss instrument- what an incredible spot to practice.
The lake is beautiful, even when the clouds are hiding the sun.
We took so many photos at the lake, that we got sick of taking photos and didn’t take many more. Here is the last of them to convince you to go: The path up to the Äscher Berggasthaus.
And we managed to get a seat for a drink! Bit crooked but who can complain with a view like that..
Hope this guide to hiking to the beautiful Seealpsee and to the Äscher Berggasthaus was useful! If you’re looking for another amazing hike, check out this post I wrote:
Klingenstock to Fronalpstock: Switzerland’s Best Ridge Hike
Oriana
Oriana was born in Zürich and is currently living in Basel, in northern Switzerland.
This travel blog is is her newest project with her twin sister. Their mission is to give everyone the confidence to travel Switzerland with ease.