Hoher Kasten

7 Highlights at Hohe Kasten

• Hohe Kasten is a peak in the Alpstein reaching an elevation of 1,794 m above sea level.
• From the summit, you get a breathtaking panoramic view of the Alpstein massif, including Säntis and Sämtisersee, the Churfirsten, and other mountains and valleys in the Alps.
• This distinctive mountain is often referred to as the "Rigi of Eastern Switzerland." It’s connected to the Stauberenkanzel by a mountain ridge, with a prominence of over 200 m.
• The cable car conquers 869 meters in altitude in just 8 minutes, taking you from Brülisau to the summit of Hohe Kasten.
• The rotating restaurant at the mountain's summit offers a unique experience and stunning views.
• The tunnel exhibition creates an immersive world with mystical music and vibrant projections at the cable car’s mountain station.
• Numerous hiking trails through the Appenzeller Alps begin at the peak of Hohe Kasten.
• For adventure seekers, there is the option to paraglide from the summit of Hohe Kasten, either solo or in tandem.

Hohe Kasten is a place where you can experience nature with all your senses.

Here, two cantons meet: Appenzell Innerrhoden and St. Gallen.

Sights at the Hoher Kasten

The most interesting sights at Hohen Kasten are actually the views in all directions. You can see the mountains of 6 countries if the view is good. This brought the panorama round path the name "Europe round path".

Europe circular trail at Hoher Kasten

Along the Europa Rundweg, all of Europe is at your feet. On the barrier-free trail, you circle the striking silhouette of the Katzenkopf. In winter, the path is shoveled daily.

In summer you will find more than 300 alpine plants with 15 experience boards in the alpine garden. It has been laid out directly along the Europaweg and is about 5000 m² in size.

Along the way there are seating areas, panorama boards and free telescopes, which also have the names of the mountains integrated.

Revolving restaurant at Hoher Kasten

The revolving restaurant holds 450 seats. Within an hour, the restaurant rotates once around its own axis and you watch the near and far surroundings of the peak pass by in a very relaxed way. It is open at the same time as the cable car.

Cable Car at Hoher Kasten

The cable car is an aerial tram that takes you from Brülisau to the summit of Hoher Kasten. It operates year-round at least every 20 minutes and takes about 8 minutes to cover nearly 900 meters in elevation. The cabin can hold 50 people.

The aerial tram has been around since 1964. The schedule of the cable car varies depending on the season. In summer, the tram usually operates daily from 7:20 AM to 5:20 PM, while in winter the operating hours are shorter. In March, the cable car is closed.

Offer at Swiss Activities:

• Ticket Bülisau-Hoher Kasten

Tunnel Experience at the Cable Car Station

The tunnel experience is a world of adventure that welcomes you at the cable car station. A periscope brings the surrounding mountain world into the tunnel with a reflection. Mystical music enhances the colorful projections. The tunnel is 29 meters long. An inclined lift can transport 12 passengers or 4 wheelchairs through the tunnel at the same time.

Activities at Hoher Kasten

A really nice hike leads from Hoher Kasten down to Brülisau. You can take a break halfway and stop at the mountain inn Ruhesitz. In summer, you can even rent kickbikes (scooters) here for a speedy descent down to Brülisau.

In winter, this road turns into a sledding trail. You can also rent sleds at the restaurant Ruhesitz. However, please don’t hike down from Hoher Kasten; come up from Brülisau instead. Hiking in winter at Hoher Kasten can be dangerous when the paths are icy and snow-covered. In the valley, there are plenty of winter hiking trails that you can walk without a problem.

Hikes around the Hoher Kasten

The hikes to the Hoher Kasten are mostly difficult hikes, as some of them are steeply uphill.

name	route	length (km)	time (hrs)	difficulty	meters of altitude↑	special
Alpstein Kamm Ferntour	Brülisau - Hoher Kasten - Saxer First - Zwinglipasshütte	17.2	8:00	difficult	1800	with the Kastenbahn you save half of the altitude meters
Alpstein ridge long-distance tour	Brülisau - Hoher Kasten - Saxer First Zwinglipasshütte - Altmann - Rotsteinpass - Säntis - Ebenalp - Seealpsee - Sämtisersee - Brülisau	44.4	22:30	difficult	3350
Geological Hiking Trail	Brülisau - Sämtisersee - Saxer Lücke - Furgglenfirst - Hoher Kasten - Kastensattel - Brülisau	20.5	7:30	difficult	1350	alternatively take the train for the 800 meters descent
Route over the Kastenwand	Sennwald - Britschli-Kehre (parking lot) - Kastenwand - Lienzer Spitz - Hoher Kasten - Rohralp	9.3	3:30	very difficult	1002	climbing on rock; only suitable for experienced mountaineers
Kamorwand Route	Brülisau - Ruhesitz - Kamorwand - Kamor - Hoher Kasten	4.4	2:45	medium	914	down with the Kastenbahn
Stauberenkanzel Panoramatour	Hoher Kasten - Kastensattel - Stauberen - Stauberenkanzel - Stauberen - Ruhesitz - Brülisau	13.2	5:30	difficult	477	up with the Kastenbahn

Paragliding from Hohen Kasten

You can transport paragliders on the aerial cableway. However, you need an appropriate ticket for this.

There are 6 SHV flying schools and two providers of tandem flights at Hohen Kasten. To get to the launch site at the Kastensattel you have to make a steep descent. It is about 10 minutes away from the summit. The landing site is conveniently located right next to the valley station of the cable car.

Especially in the evening, the Hohe Kasten has excellent thermals.

Getting to Hohen Kasten

Brülisau is a village in the Schwende-Rüte district that's easy to reach by car or public transport. If you're driving, take the A1 to St. Gallen. From there, head through Teufen and Appenzell to Schwende-Rüte and continue to Brülisau. After Herisau, follow Cantonal Road 8 towards Appenzell and Schwende-Rüte. In Brülisau, you'll find paid parking at the valley station of the cable car.

If you prefer public transport, you can easily get to Brülisau as well. From St. Gallen train station, take the Appenzeller Bahn (Line S21) to Appenzell. There, switch to Line S23 and continue to Weissbad. Here, catch the postbus on line 192 to Brülisau.

The journey to Brülisau is already an experience in itself. Along the way, you'll encounter typical Appenzeller houses, pastures with cows, and enjoy stunning views of the Appenzeller Alps all around you.