Staubern and Saxer Lücke Hiking Area, Alpstein, Switzerland

Staubern and the Saxer Lücke are part of the Alpstein, a limestone mountain range in north-eastern Switzerland. This area lies on the border between the cantons of St. Gallen and Appenzell Innerrhoden, high above the Rhine Valley. A popular and not too long hike starts with a small cable car from the village of Frümsen to the mountain inn Berggasthaus Staubern. From there, a path follows the ridge to the Saxer Lücke pass and then goes down to the quiet mountain lake Fälensee. The walk takes about two hours and offers some of the best views in eastern Switzerland.

What to See

The Staubern cable car climbs from about 500 metres to 1,745 metres in only seven minutes. It is known as the first cable car in the world that runs only on solar power and batteries. At the top, the terrace of Berggasthaus Staubern has a wide view over the Rhine Valley, Liechtenstein and the Austrian Alps. The trail then goes west along the Stauberenfirst ridge. On one side you see the green valley far below, and on the other side the rocky peaks of the Alpstein. After about an hour you reach the Saxer Lücke at 1,650 metres. This narrow pass lies between the Kreuzberge, a row of sharp rock towers, and the Hüser peak. Here you can see how the rock layers are bent and broken by a big fault line. From the pass, a steep path goes down to the Fälensee and the mountain inn Bollenwees, where you can rest by the water.

How to Get There and Practical Information

Frümsen is in the Rhine Valley in the canton of St. Gallen. You can get there by car or by train and bus via Sennwald or Gams. The cable car runs from May to October, roughly from 7:00 or 8:00 in the morning until 22:00. Buy tickets online or at the valley station. The hike from Staubern to Saxer Lücke and Fälensee takes about 2 hours. It is a marked mountain trail with some narrow and steep parts, so you need good shoes, sure feet and dry weather. From Fälensee you can walk on past Lake Sämtis to Brülisau in about 2 more hours and take the bus to Appenzell. Another option is to go back up to the Saxer Lücke and down to Sax in the Rhine Valley.

Weather in location: Staubern and Saxer Lücke Hiking Area, Alpstein, Switzerland

2° Rain, feels 6°

• Today 1°…9°
• Wind 6 km/h S
• Precipitation 0.1 mm

Thu -1°…6°

Fri -9°…2°

Sat -10°…-1°

Forecast data: MET Norway