If you’ve ever seen these peaks on Instagram and you’ve dreamed of gazing upon them in person, this is the blog for you. Brace yourself for an epic journey through Switzerland’s Appenzell region, where we’ll tackle the Schäfler Ridge Trail and revel in the glory of the Berggasthaus Schäfler (Schäfler Mountain Hut). I will tell you everything you’d like to know about how to hike to the dramatic Schäfler Ridge.
Our adventure begins in the quaint village of Wasserauen. Remember this name because it’s where you will need to either park or take the train. I had an extremely ambitious itinerary for our weeklong trip. For this reason, we took the Ebenalp cable car to save some time. We also made a pit stop at Aescher Cliffside Guesthouse, and even saw some cool cliff side caves. Oh, and don’t forget the overnight stay at Schäfler Hut – a.k.a. where you’ll want to wake up every day for the rest of your life.
Hiking Details: Schäfler Hut & Ridge
Hike Distance
So, the distance from Wasserauen to Schäfler Hut is about 7.5 km. But here’s the deal – once you’re up there, you’ll want to explore the Schäfler Ridge. That adds an extra kilometer or two, making it roughly 8.5 kilometers one way. You can eliminate a large chunk of the hike by taking the Ebenalp cable car. This makes your hike to the mountain hut only 2.1 km, but you will still conquer 284 m elevation change in 2.1 km.
Hike Duration
Plan for about three hours from Wasserauen to Schäfler Hut if you plan on skipping the cable car. It really depends on your pace and your relationship with inclines (there’s a 1200m one waiting for you.) The duration from the cable car to the hut took us a little over an hour and we stopped several times for photo ops and for me to catch my breath.
Hike Difficulty
This trail is not technically difficult, but it does require some stamina for conquering steep terrain. My friend just took her 3 teenagers on this hike and they all had a 30lb backpack. Her 13 year old daughter said and I quote, “It was trauma.” (She absolutely killed it though.) The hike gets a little sketchier if you want to explore the ridgeline. There are cables in place and some stairs that you can utilize. This part is not technically difficulty, but make sure to have sure footing and good shoes. I would not take my toddlers here, but I would take them to the hut.
Hike Incline
From Wasserauen to Schäfler Hut, you’re looking at a total incline of 1,230m. Think of it as a workout with million-dollar views. If you’re taking the cable car, you are looking at around 280m of incline.
Getting to Wasserauen
Wasserauen, our launchpad for this adventure, is a breeze to reach – by train or car. Located in the northeast of Switzerland, it’s just a stone’s throw away from the Liechtenstein border. So even if you’re starting from Zurich (a 2-hour car journey), it isn’t terrible. Plus, if you’ve got the Swiss Half-Card, you’re in for some sweet discounts on tickets. Yay for saving money! If you decide to park, you can download the EasyPark app and pay by the hour.
Schäfler Ridge Trail
Now, here’s where the fun really begins. After ensuring that our parking was paid, we decided to hop on the cable car to save time because, let’s be real, we’d been traveling for what felt like an eternity. (26 hours to be exact.) And a mountain hut without a shower? Let’s just say it makes for an interesting first lodging choice.
You can check the cable car operating times on the Ebenalp website, as well as purchase tickets. We visited during the summer season and the cable car was open from 0730-1730. In August of 2023, a one way ticket was 22 CHF and a roundtrip ticket was 34 CHF. You can always choose a one-way ticket and hike back down to Wasserauen by going past the Seealpsee lake.
When the cable car drops you at the top, there are a couple different options for your trek. One option is to hike down and visit the Wildkirchli church, caves, and Aescher Cliff Restaurant. The journey down is steep. My knees were screaming. We did this the following day before taking our return cable car to Wasserauen.
To get to the dramatic Schäfler ridge, you will want to follow the signs pointing toward the hut perched high upon the hill. The cable car will drop you at the Ebenalp hut. You will want to continue onward.
The incline from Ebenalp to Schäfler is a hair under three kilometers, with a few hundred meters of uphill sizzle. Along the way, you’ll be treated to views that’ll make your jaw drop on both sides of the trail. You will hear the tell-tale Switzerland sound of cow bells. Locals like to call them bing bong cows.
And then, just when your legs think they’ve had enough, you’ll hit a series of switchbacks that’ll test your hiking prowess. These should be the final moments of incline for the day, but boy, are they memorable!
Expect to spend around an hour hiking from Ebenalp to Schäfler Hut. Once you arrive, you’ll probably want to fuel up with a drink or a snack. And trust me, you’ll want to, because your view from this restaurant is the crown jewel of the Alpstein region.
The first viewpoint is a mere minute up the hill from Schäfler Hut. Here, you’ll be treated to incredible views of Schäfler Ridge, Santis, Lisengrat, and the valleys on either side. You don’t even have to venture much further. It’s like a sneak peek into hiking paradise. Unfortunately, it was a little foggy when we first arrived, but within an hour the peaks were shining bright.
We drove from Zurich, so we arrived at Schäfler Ridge in time to catch golden hour and sunset. If you’re thinking about catching a sunrise or sunset at Schäfler Ridge, I’d highly recommend staying at the Schäfler hut. But be warned, especially if it’s the weekend – book ahead! You can always check out the Ebenalp hut availability if Schafler is booked up during your trip.
You can continue past the initial viewpoint and hike along the ridgeline. You will need to continue past the red side that states “Danger.” This is the part of the trail that narrows and has chains and cables to assist.
I highly recommend continuing along the trail! Most people stop at the mountain hut viewpoint and don’t continue along the trail. We only passed two people the entire time we were hiking. It was marvelous.
The next morning, we watched the phenomenal sunrise crest across the alpine meadows and dramatic peaks. We enjoyed the breakfast included with our stay before hiking back to the cable car.
Wildkirchli and Aescher Cliff Restaurant
We hiked down to the Aescher Cliff restaurant before catching the cable car back down. The Ascher Cliff restaurant is famous, thanks to its jaw-dropping location that even National Geographic had to feature. Now, Switzerland’s known for its pricey reputation, but this place won’t break the bank. It’s like a pit stop for hikers, families, and even trail runners.
Quick tip: if hiking isn’t your thing but you still want to enjoy this iconic restaurant location, take the cable car up to Ebenalp and walk down the short way to Ascher Cliff Restaurant. (It is QUITE steep though. So be warned.)
As you savor that last sip of coffee at the Ascher Cliff Restaurant, climb those stairs towards the church and the caves. Inside one of the caves, you’ll find pews and a shrine within the church. Here’s the kicker – there’s an actual service held here once a month. Talk about a pilgrimage!
Beyond the church, there are more caves to explore on your way to Ebenalp. Inside these caves, lights guide you to points of interest with helpful placards that spill the beans on the caves’ history. Fun fact: bears used to call these caves home. Yep, you read that right!
Conclusion
So, there you have it – a hiking adventure that’ll be etched in your memory forever. Even if your knees protest a bit, it’s worth every step. It’s not just a hike; it’s an experience that will forever stay with you. If you’re interested in staying at the dreamy Schäfler Hut, check out my post that has all the details here. So, when you’re in Switzerland, don’t miss this epic adventure!
