Berggasthaus Äscher, Mountain hut and restaurant in Alpstein mountains, Switzerland
Berggasthaus Äscher is a wooden guesthouse in the Alpstein mountains built directly against a cliff face at 1,454 meters elevation. The building offers views across the surrounding mountain landscape through its windows and combines lodging and dining spaces under one roof.
The building was constructed in 1884 and ranks among Switzerland's early mountain lodges. Since then it has operated continuously for over 135 years.
The restaurant honors Alpine traditions by serving regional specialties and local dishes to visitors completing their mountain hikes. Guests dine in a space shaped by the surrounding rock formation, creating a direct connection to the mountain landscape.
The location is reached via cable car from Wasserauen to Ebenalp, followed by a 25-minute walk through Wildkirchli caves. The route requires sure-footed steps on uneven mountain paths and sturdy footwear.
The building is integrated directly into the rock face, with the natural stone formation becoming part of the architecture. This fusion of structure and mountain wall creates an unusual lodging and dining experience.
Location: Schwende-Rüte
Accessibility: Wheelchair inaccessible
Opening Hours: May 01-October 31 Monday-Sunday,Holidays 07:30-20:30; November 01-30 Monday-Sunday,Holidays 07:30-19:30; December 01-April 31 closed
Phone: +41717991142
GPS coordinates: 47.28340,9.41445
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02
Switzerland offers much more than its famous destinations. This collection features places where nature and history are discovered at a gentle pace, far from crowds. You will find mountain refuges perched on rocks like Berggasthaus Aescher-Wildkirchli, wild valleys where ibex and chamois live, like...
Wildkirchli
123 m
Schäfler
2 km
Wasserauen-Ebenalp cable car
1.1 km
Altenalp Türm
3.1 km
Hundstein
3.6 km
Marwees
2.6 km
Freiheit
3.6 km
Hüser
3.9 km
Alp Sigel aerial tramway
3.7 km
Hochhus
4 km
Luftseilbahn Hoher Kasten
4.3 km
Widderalpstöck
3.2 km
Chlosterspitz
3.2 km
Kapelle St. Franziska Romana
3.3 km
Kapelle zur Schmerzhaften Muttergottes
2.6 km
Chapel of the Visitation
3.4 km
Catholic church St. Sebastian
3.5 km
St. Anna chapel, Haggen
4.5 km
Bauernhaus Blumenau
4.2 km
Kapelle Maria zum Schnee, Meglisalp
3.8 km
St. Magdalena chapel
4.3 km
Appenzeller-Badi-Steg
4.9 km
Sittersteg
4.3 km
Appenzeller-Bahnen-Brücke (Wasserauenbahnbrücke)
4.5 km
Nanisaustrasse-Brücke
4 km
St.-Anna-Brücke (Weissbadstrasse)
4.5 km
Farmhouse Dörig Lehnerlis, Triebern
2.7 km
Riedgaden (former granary and hay barn)
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