Are there food options for vegetarians and vegans?

Vegetarian meals are usually available in most accommodations. Vegan options are harder to be found in huts, but we're happy to let you know about them in advance so you can plan accordingly.

Alpstein High Trail Highlights

5 days / 4 nights

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Challenge yourself on a thrilling hut-to-hut trek through the Appenzell Alps, featuring exposed ridges, dramatic peaks, and unforgettable alpine vistas.

Starting point

Weissbad

Finish point

Brülisau

Season

From June to September

Technical level

4/5

Fitness level

4/5

Tour type

Hut-to-Hut

Challenge yourself on a thrilling hut-to-hut trek through the Appenzell Alps, featuring exposed ridges, dramatic peaks, and unforgettable alpine vistas.

Starting point

Weissbad

Finish point

Brülisau

Season

From June to September

Technical level

4/5

Fitness level

4/5

Tour type

Hut-to-Hut

Uncover Switzerland’s hidden gems in the Appenzell Alps
Hike along ridges with breathtaking views of the Säntis and Altmann peaks
Visit the crystal-clear Seealpsee and stay in remote alpine huts with panoramic views
Tackle challenging sections with fixed cables and technical terrain for experienced hikers
Reach the summit of Hoher Kasten for stunning 360° vistas across Switzerland and beyond
Enjoy the perfect mix of alpine beauty, cultural immersion, and adventure

Itinerary of the trip

You will arrive in the peaceful village of Weissbad, nestled within the scenic Appenzell Alps. This small town serves as the perfect starting point for your journey. In the evening, you can take a leisurely walk through the village or visit nearby landmarks like the Ebenalp Cable Car station, offering views of your upcoming trek.

Accommodation

Weissbad Lodge

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

You will begin your hike in Wasserauen, gradually ascending through lush meadows and forest paths. On your way, you will pass by the serene Seealpsee, a crystal-clear mountain lake reflecting the surrounding peaks. After a break by the lake, the terrain grows more rugged as you climb towards Schäfler. Along the way, you will encounter narrow paths with some exposed sections, and you may need to use fixed cables for added stability. The final approach to Schäfler Hut requires caution, especially on rocky and uneven ground. Once you arrive, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the jagged Alpstein peaks.

Hiking

10 km and 1190 m of elevation gain / 175 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Berggasthaus Schäfler

Note: Listed accommodations are subject to availability; we will find similar alternatives if necessary.

Gallery

Today, you will set off along a breathtaking ridge line, with the majestic Säntis mountain dominating the skyline. The trail is narrow in places, with several exposed sections that may require careful footing. As you approach the Altmann peak, you will traverse rocky terrain, with parts of the path featuring cables to assist with steep or slippery areas. This is one of the more technical days of the trek, so be prepared for challenging sections. After a rewarding day of hiking through rocky terrain and along narrow ridges, you will arrive at the remote Zwinglipass Hut.

Hiking

10.2 km and 1000 m of elevation gain / 890 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Zwinglipass Hut

Note: Listed accommodations are subject to availability; we will find similar alternatives if necessary.

Gallery

The journey continues towards the summit of Hoher Kasten, starting with a challenging climb across rugged alpine terrain. You will pass steep cliffs and traverse sections of the trail equipped with cables to help you navigate exposed areas. The ascent to Hoher Kasten becomes more technical, with rocky scrambles that may require the use of your hands for balance. As you approach the summit, you’ll be greeted with incredible views of the Rhine Valley and the Swiss lowlands. From the top, the 360° panorama stretches across four countries, and you can relax in the revolving restaurant before taking a cable car back into the valley.

Hiking

13.2 km and 710 m of elevation gain / 1010 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Weissbad Lodge

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

After an exhilarating multi-day trek through the Alpstein range, you will bid farewell to the stunning Appenzell Alps. With memories of dramatic peaks, narrow ridges, and peaceful mountain huts, you will depart from Brülisau, feeling accomplished from the challenges you’ve overcome. Whether you choose to explore nearby Appenzell for an extra day or two, or head straight home, this unforgettable hut-to-hut hiking adventure will remain with you long after you leave the region.

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FREE ITINERARY

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What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

2 nights in (mountain) huts with half-board

2 nights in a 3-star hotel with breakfast

Digital guidebook with itinerary, route instructions, and practical information

GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app

Tour design and organization

Service and support during your hike

NOT INCLUDED

Tourist tax

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Airport transfer

Extra nights

Hotel upgrades

Private rooms

Single supplement

What to bring to the tour

Hiking shoes/boots
25 to 45-liter backpack
Base layer
Sports T-shirts
Hiking shorts
Hiking water-repellent pants
Waterproof jacket
Midlayer
Sports socks and underwear
Leisurewear for evenings
Down jacket
Gloves
Shade hat/cap

Warm headwear
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Headlamp
Hiking poles
ID card or passport
Snacks
Cash
Water bottles or hydration pack
Sleeping liner
Toiletries
Toilet paper
Small first aid kit

The Appenzell Alps, a lesser-known gem in eastern Switzerland, offer some of the most diverse and striking landscapes in the country.

Unlike the towering peaks of the central Alps, the Alpstein range is characterized by jagged limestone formations, deep valleys, and green pastures.

This 5-day trek offers a perfect blend of challenging terrain and stunning alpine scenery, taking you across high ridges, through lush valleys, and to traditional mountain huts that provide a true alpine experience. It showcases the very best of the region, with highlights such as the crystal-clear Seealpsee, the panoramic views from Schäfler, and the towering peaks of Säntis and Altmann.

Along the way, you will encounter technical sections with cables, narrow paths, and exposed ridges, making this trek perfect for experienced hikers seeking a rewarding challenge.

Throughout the journey, you’ll stay in cozy, remote huts like Schäfler and Zwinglipass, each offering warm hospitality and spectacular views.

These huts are not just places to rest – they are destinations in themselves, surrounded by awe-inspiring alpine landscapes.

What makes this trek truly hassle-free is that we take care of all the logistics. From booking your accommodations to providing detailed digital guidebooks, interactive GPS tracks and customer support, we ensure you can focus solely on the adventure ahead.

Whether you're ascending to the summit of Hoher Kasten or enjoying a peaceful evening at the hut, we’re with you every step of the way, making sure your experience is unforgettable.

Frequently Asked Questions

The summer season for hiking is usually from mid-June to mid-October. Its start depends on the amount of snow left on the high mountain passes from the winter. The Walker’s Haute Route and Via Alpina have some high passes, which are usually free of snow only in July. Hiking before that could be dangerous without proper skill and equipment. In October, there is usually the first bigger snowfall, and the huts close to prepare for the winter ski season.

Read more about the hiking season in the Swiss Alps here.

We've rated our tours on a difficulty scale from 1 to 5 — with 1 being the easiest and 5 the most difficult.

The difficulty level of a tour tells you how fit you need to be and how much hiking is involved. Most of our tours are appropriate for people who are regularly active and can hike for about five to seven hours per day.

Technical difficulty means how skilled you need to be to hike on the path. Level 1 means the trail is smooth and wide (like a gravel road), while 5 means the surface is uneven and exposed, and you have to use your hands to help yourself move forward. In practice, that means that the higher the level, the more surefooted and skilled in scrambling you need to be.

It is best to book your tour early because most accommodations along the trail fill up quickly. That way, you can ensure that you have a place to stay.

Even though the routes are usually quite close to at least a farm or a small village, they also feature lots of wild and remote sections where you cannot just stop. In case of injury, it’s best to call the local emergency services.

On the other hand, if you just feel that you cannot hike anymore, you can always stop in any of the towns and villages along the way and use public transport to get to a bigger Swiss city.

Showers in Swiss mountain huts are rare and are only offered for an extra charge. That’s why it’s wise to bring wet wipes with you for the days that you are staying in one of them.

No, because the huts provide their blankets and pillows. Still, you should bring a sleeping liner instead.

Cell connection is very changeable in the mountains. A good rule of thumb is that if you can see a town, you’ll have a reception. Mountain huts are the same — the signal usually doesn’t reach the insides, so try catching it outside. Wifi is available only in some huts, while most don’t have it.

If you dress accordingly, most stages can be done in light rain. However, do not hike if a storm is forecasted. In that case, you can take public transport to the next point when possible to make up for the lost time.

Ratings & Reviews

5.0 average rating

+19

Birgit Kindler

Verified customer · 1 year ago

We had a lovely hike today with our guide Klemen. He personalized the tour on our needs and interests, so that we saw places we wouldn't without his experience. The hike was a little bit slippery after the rain from the last days and it went a lot upwards, but it was totally worth it! Thanks again :)

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Nachiket Mor

Verified customer · 2 years ago

Daja Gorišek was the travel agent from here who meticulously organised the trek all the way from Meiringen to Lenk im Simmental. She took care of all the details -- from planning the actual trek route, the detailed GPS map for each stage, to the hotels. The actual experience was entirely consistent with what was promised.

Claudia Ossa

Verified customer · 2 years ago

9 day hiking trip including rafting and mountain biking. Sadly the weather didn’t help, we had a lot of rain, but Klemen modified our plans, making it a great experience after all. Klemen is an excellent guide and I highly recommend him!!!

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Ann Swainson

Verified customer · 11 months ago

Thank you so much for a fantastic trip. It was absolutely stunning, well organised, and a brilliant trip. Special thanks to Jan for his kindness & support on what was a personally challenging trek.

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Robert Backlund

Verified customer · 11 months ago

Our Guide Luka was amazing! And the three-day hike was a Memory for life, really beautiful. Cant recommend it enough.

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Julio Duran

Verified customer · 18 days ago

A great experience, especially since it was our first hut-to-hut adventure. Everything went according to plan, quick and efficient responses, a great route with beautiful landscapes. I would definitely do it again.