Ebenalp - what is there to see upon arrival by cable car if you don't descend to cave church

I took the Best of Switzerland tour last year. About half of the group hiked down through the caves to the church, The rest of us walked up the hill from the cable car where this is a restaurant and great views. Then we all met back at the cable car for the ride down. The guide explained the two possibilities in detail so people could chose what would work best for them. We probably spent a total of one hour at the top.

I travel there independently - There are paths and nice views and cows in summer at top. You could walk down (or up) and avoid going all the way to the caves (although it’s not too long of a walk there).
and - if you’re lucky - wind / hang gliders launching from right below the cable car. . I could have watched them for hours!

Thank you so much for your replies. Now more excited than ever for my tour later this month.

Sorry about your knee problem. I hate to think of you being so close to a magnificent view of Aescher and Lake Seealpsee, but I understand if it is too physical for you. Since you are on the tour, I would email RS Tours for an answer as to what else is around the area once you leave the cable car as an alternative. Just being up almost a mile will be a pretty good sight to see. Hope for clear skies. Enjoy.

Connie - There was most definitely a restaurant/coffee shop a short walk uphill from the top of the Ebenalp cable car. I have the pictures to prove it. A group of us enjoyed delicious hot chocolate there after walking around a bit taking in the views.

Thanks for info about walking up from cable car and the fact there's a restaurant rather than the 15 min descent. Easier to walk up than down with a sore knee.

Here is the site for the restaurant folks are referring to near the cable car station. It has some great videos showing the area.

https://gasthaus-ebenalp.ch/

I am currently on the Best of Switzerland tour. We go to Ebenalp tomorrow. We’ll arrive at the lift at 8:40 and depart from top lift station at 10:30. I am dealing with a sprained foot (incurred before tour) and don’t want to walk on uneven rocks downhill to church and hotel in a rock. Instead I will take the short walk from lift station to restaurant at the top. Both options were explained to us by tour guide.

Good to.know the timetable of about 2 hours
Will be wandering on top looking out for cows and paragliders before heading to the restaurant either for hot chocolate if cold outside or a fine glass of wine or beer if hot oudoors. Should be fun. Enjoy your time at Ebenalp.

Because of my sprained foot, I was the only person on my RS Best of Switzerland tour group not to walk from the Ebenalp cable car station down to the small hotel. I didn’t feel left out at all. I walked up to the restaurant above the station and enjoyed the 360 degree view. A 3rd option is to hang out at the cable car station, enjoy the views, and watch the paragliders.

Sorry to hear you were the only one that stayed up and didn’t do the caves. I won't be doing them either. Hot chocolate and a good vista will do. Thanks for your updates greatly appreciated. Hope you enjoy the rest of the tour, really looking forward to Murren but looks like there could be rain but prepared for it.