Hoher Kasten

7 Highlights at the High Box

• The Hohe Kasten is a peak in the Alpstein that reaches 1794 m above sea level.
• From the summit you have a spectacular panoramic view of the Alpstein massif with the Säntis and Lake Sämtis, the Churfirsten and other mountains and valleys of the Alps.
• The striking mountain is often called the "Rigi of Eastern Switzerland". It is connected with the Stauberenkanzel by a ridge. Its embrasure height is more than 200 m.
• The cable car covers 869 meters of altitude in 8 minutes between Brülisau and the summit of Hoher Kasten.
• The revolving restaurant at the top of the mountain offers a unique experience and a breathtaking view.
• The tunnel staging is a world of experience with mystical music and colorful projections at the top station of the cable car.
• Several hiking trails through the Appenzell Alps start at the summit of the Hohen Kasten.
• For the adventurous, there is the possibility to fly from the summit of Hoher Kasten with a paraglider alone or in tandem.

The Hohe Kasten is a place where you can experience nature with all your senses.
Two cantons meet up here: 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.

Mountain railroad at the Hoher Kasten

The mountain railroad is an aerial cableway that leads from Brülisau to the summit of the Hohen Kasten. It runs all year round at least every 20 min and takes 8 min for just under 900 meters of altitude. The cabin holds 50 people.

The cable car has been in operation since 1964 and the timetable varies depending on the season. In summer, the cable car usually runs daily from 7:20 am to 5:20 pm, while in winter the operating hours are shortened. In March the cable car is closed.

Offer at Swiss Activities:

• Ticket Bülisau-Hoher Kasten

Tunnel staging at the mountain station of the aerial cableway

The tunnel staging is a world of experience that welcomes you at the mountain station. In a periscope, the surrounding mountain world is brought into the tunnel with a reflection. The colorful projections are accompanied by mystical music. The tunnel is 29 meters long. An inclined lift transports 12 passengers or 4 wheelchairs through the tunnel at the same time.

Activities at the Hohen Kasten

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

In winter, this road turns into a toboggan run. You can also rent the sledges at the restaurant Ruhesitz. However, please do not hike down from the Hoher Kasten but come up from Brülisau. Hiking on the Hoher Kasten in winter is dangerous if the paths are icy and snowed in. In the valley, however, there are numerous winter hiking trails that you can walk on without hesitation.

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.

How to get to the Hoher Kasten

Brülisau is a village in the district of Schwende-Rüte, which can be easily reached by car as well as by public transport. If you are traveling by car, take the A1 to St. Gallen. From there you drive via Teufen and Appenzell to Schwende-Rüte and further to the village of Brülisau. From Herisau you follow the cantonal road 8 in the direction of Appenzell and Schwende-Rüte. In Brülisau you will find paid parking at the valley station of the mountain railroad.

Alternatively, you can also reach Brülisau by public transport. From the train station in St. Gallen, take the Appenzell train (line S21) to Appenzell. There you change trains (line S23) and go to Weissbad. Here you take the post bus line 192 to Brülisau.

Already the journey to Brülisau is an experience. On the way you will encounter typical Appenzell houses, meadows with cows and have a view of the Appenzell Alps all around.