We are visiting Zurich in August and thinking about taking a day trip to Appenzell. We would ride the cable car up to Ebenalp then walk down to the Ascher Hotel. Is this day trip worth it? What is the hike like from Ebenalp to Ascher Hotel and back up to Ebenalp? Is it really steep and challenging? Thank you for the information!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32344 posts
You may have already seen this section on their website, but it should be relatively easy to find....
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
I've always like Appenzell town itself and would certainly continue up to Ebenalp (totaling 2.25 hours each way). But I've not visited Berggasthaus Aesher due to a similar hiking concern (with luggage). If you just need lunch with an easier walk, you have the option of Berggasthaus Ebenalp.
Posted by
Minnesota
74 posts
The hike from the Ebenalp cable car down to Aescher is on a pretty easy trail. As I recall, it is practically paved and only about a 15 minute walk. It is not very steep. There is a live cam of the area and a the trail is visible. This might be the trail from the cable car to Ebenalp hut but the trail to Aescher is essentially the same.
http://www.appenzell.ch/de/service/webcams/ebenalp.html
Appenzell is a very picturesque town that is worth more than a day trip in my opinion. However, your pace of seeing things may be different than ours. We tend to spend more time exploring places and don't rush from site to site.
Jay
Posted by
61 posts
I was just here, and the walk from Ebenalp to Aescher is really easy. It's mostly level with the exception of downhill at first, making the walk back up a bit more challenging. But, there are benches at intervals where out-of-breath walkers can rest and enjoy the view!
It's a quick walk to Aescher (10-15 minutes?), and there's not much there (besides the GORGEOUS views!) unless you plan to eat there. The Wildkirchli caves are interesting, too, and are right next to the Aescher.
Posted by
25 posts
We took a day trip to Ebenalp from Zurich just the other day. We took the 8:09am train from Zurich HB and were at Ebenalp before 10:30am. Yes, the area is definitely worth a visit. The hike from Ebenalp to Ascher Cliff restaurant/hotel is easy, but the hike all the way down to the lake and back to Wasserauen was very challenging without hiking sticks - the trail is pretty much all switchbacks . My quads are still very sore, but the hike and overall day trip was well worth it - spectacular views! Very different from the Bernese Oberland area. I highly recommend visiting - I promise, you won't regret it!