World’s Most Famous Mountain Hut and (Swiss) Lake Seealpsee – Impressive Photo-Hike at Schäfler Mountain in Alpstein
When the hut is one of the main focal points of a hike, you know you are not dealing with ordinary, everyday hikers’ shelter. The Äscher Hut in northeastern Switzerland is the most prominent inn in the Alps, and one look at the photograph below will tell you how special it truly is. Just imagine being there and using it as a vantage point for your photography hike. Good news – we have you covered. Find all valuable information for your hiking adventure in Alpstein area including the most outstanding photo locations on the go.
Within a few years, it has transformed – due to its breathtaking, unique location, framed by a massive rocky outcrop – from an inconspicuous insider tip to worldwide popularity.
The famous mountain hut is located in the Alpstein mountains. Here, craggy rocky slabs rise from kitschy alpine meadows. Especially the Altenalp towers in the direction of Säntis are a photographic feast for the eyes. Contrasting between the steep boulders lies the Lake Seealp (Seealpsee).
Caution: Säntis has the highest precipitation in the Alps, and the hiking trails require a head for heights and surefooted.
Route description! This is how your hiking adventure in Swiss Alps looks like on a map
The tour begins at the mountain station of the Wasserauen-Ebenalp cable car. Briefly follow the paved path uphill in the direction of (Gasthaus) Schäfler Hut. Then continue uphill, a short stretch downhill and finally follow the well-marked hiking trail until you reach the Schäfler Hut (1925m), which can be seen from afar. From the inn go back the same way.
At the junction just before Alp Chlus (1724m) turn right in the direction of the Äscher/Wildkirchli inn and immediately left again. Follow the path downhill until you reach the Äscher-Wildkirchli hut (1454m).
A few steps back to the last junction and now turn left downhill in the direction of Seealpsee. At the road turn right and then about 30 meters uphill to the Seealpsee (1142m). Past the Hotel Seealpsee to the Hotel Forelle through the sparse forest path. At the road (1153m) continue straight ahead following the signs to Wasserauen (longer route).
Photo tips that will make your Instagram – 360° panoramic views and the Äscher hut
The best photo view can be found just above the Gasthaus Schäfler with a view towards Säntis and Altenalptürm. Here you have a breathtaking 360° panoramic view. The most beautiful pictures are often taken here with a telephoto lens.
Don’t miss the most famous mountain inn in the world – Äscher-Wildkirchli – which seems to be stuck to overhanging rock. The third top location is right on the shore of the Seealpsee.
Mountain Moments Photo Workshops provide Photo Tours for everybody, Alpine Experience for beginners and intermediate-level photographers with 3 to 6-hour routes, as well as Summit Experience for more advanced photographers and hikers. We have private workshops and group classes.
More information about your Äscher Hut-oriented mountain trip
How to get there by public transport: Take the train to Appenzell, change trains here and get off at the Wasserauen/Ebenalp terminus.
How to get there by car: To Appenzell, from here to Weissbad and on to Wasserauen/Ebenalp. Parking in Wasserauen (partly with costs).
Start/finish: Wasserauen train station (868m) 47.285576,9.428426
Distance: 11km
Duration: 4.40h
Ascent/descent: 630m/1350m
Highest point/lowest point: 1925m/868m
Hike difficulty level: medium
Special features: Without mountain drive a strenuous hike (difficult), partly surefootedness necessary. On sunny weekends it is worthwhile to arrive by train.
Meals and snacks: Ebenalp mountain inn, Schäfler inn, Äscher-Wildkirchli mountain inn, hotel, Seealpsee and Hotel Forelle, Wasserauen train station.
Contact: www.appenzell.ch
The most beautiful photo spots and hikes in the Alps – experience this hiking tour and 29 other exceptional regions now.
Fancy more hikes in the mountains – and beautiful photos? Get out into nature! Experience the best hikes and locations with our new book: Alps – Photo and Hiking Guide. The 90 best Photo Locations and 30 most panoramic Hikes.
Here we have compiled the most beautiful locations and photo opportunities. 30 hikes with 90 photo spots are selected and described in such a way that you can easily experience these wonderful landscapes for yourself – including GPS tracks and hiking map and all other information. ie schönsten Orte und Fotogelegenheiten in den Bergen zusammengefasst. 30 Wanderungen mit 95 Fotospots sind so ausgewählt und beschrieben, dass auch du diese wunderbaren Landschaften selbst erleben kannst – inkl. GPS Tracks und Wanderkarte und allen weiteren Infos.
You can take a closer look at the ebook here– – why not give it as a gift to someone you want to visit and photograph these places with!
Of course, you will find all the information about this hike in the ebook. After registering, you will also receive the GPS track, so you are on the safe side and won’t get lost and will find all photo locations easily.
Hi, i am Marius, i love exploring the mountains and nature. Friends say, i know the mountains better than most locals, but actually i get lost all the time while photographing ;). Read more about the Mountain Moments Team.
I lived in switzerland for 2 years and those are some beautiful places highly recommend.
And I explored mountains pretty much every day and those are amazing mountains to explore & to just take wonder, those are just a few of the amazing mountains in switzerland there are thousands more.