Hoher Kasten

Hoher Kasten stands at 1,794 metres at the eastern end of the Alpstein, where the massif breaks off toward the Rhine, and that position is what it sells: the summit looks down the Rhine valley into Liechtenstein, Austria and Germany, with the Santis behind and Lake Constance visible in clear air. A revolving restaurant turns at the top. Beside it an alpine botanical garden lays out several hundred mountain species with labels, which is a rare thing to find at this altitude and makes the summit worth more than the view alone. The ridge path west toward the Saxer Lucke and Bollenwees is one of the classic Appenzell walks, running past the Fahlensee.

What you actually see

• Four countries in one view - down the Rhine to Liechtenstein, Austria and Germany.
• A revolving restaurant - the summit building turning through the panorama.
• An alpine botanical garden - several hundred labelled mountain species.
• The Saxer Lucke ridge - the classic walk west into the Alpstein.

When to go

May to October. Half a day, longer with the ridge walk.

Honest expectations

The summit is small and the restaurant dominates it. Haze often hides the far view even on sunny days. The onward ridge path is exposed in places with fixed cables. The cable car queues on fine weekends.

Nearby

Appenzell village is west; the Ebenalp and Seealpsee are deeper in the Alpstein.