Ebenalp Cable Car Round-Trip

Ebenalp sits in Switzerland's Appenzell region, near the village of Wasserauen, and is one of the few peaks where you can experience caves, a hermitage, and hiking all in one trip. 

From Wasserauen, the cable car takes about 6 minutes to reach the summit, where the star attraction is the Wildkirchli Caves carved into the cliff face, alongside Aescher — a century-old mountain restaurant perched on the cliffside, one of the most iconic sights in the Appenzell region. 

This is also a paradise for hikers and climbers, with over 270 climbing routes and views across the Appenzell highlands, where paragliders often drift by.

• This ticket covers the round-trip (or one-way) cable car journey from Wasserauen to Ebenalp
• The valley station is about a 2-minute walk from Wasserauen train station 
• Staying in Appenzell for 3+ nights? Ask your accommodation for an Appenzell Holiday Card — it includes free rides on the Ebenalp cable car (see here)
• Hours vary by season — check the official website for details

Ebenalp isn't just a cable car photo stop — it's one of the Alpstein region's best hiking hubs. Official interactive map see here.

Here are 10 routes ranging from an easy stroll to a full-day trek, so you can pick one that fits your time and fitness level:

1. Ebenalp-Wildkirchli-Aescher-Ebenalp: 1.5km | ~1hr | +169m/-181m | Moderate | A short loop past the Wildkirchli cave chapel and the famous Aescher cliffside restaurant
    
2. Ebenalp-Chlus-Ebenalp: 2.8km | ~1hr | +153m/-153m | Easy | Gentle terrain, great for a relaxed walk with Alpine and meadow views
    
3. Ebenalp-Chlus-Schäfler-Ebenalp: 4.6km | ~1hr45 | +349m/-349m | Moderate | Leads to the Schäfler ridge, with dramatic jagged ridgelines and skyline views
    
4. Ebenalp-Gartenalp-Wildkirchli-Ebenalp: 2.7km | ~1hr45 | +321m/-321m | Moderate | Passes the Gartenalp high pasture before rejoining the Wildkirchli caves — a taste of traditional alpine farming and geology
    
5. Ebenalp-Wildkirchli-Bommenalp-Blättliweg-Wasserauen: 3.7km | ~1hr30 | +13m/-737m | Challenging | A steeper descent past caves and pastures, following the Blättliweg trail down to Wasserauen station
    
6. Ebenalp-Wildkirchli-Bommenalp-Schwende-Wasserauen: 6.0km | ~2hr | +13m/-756m | Moderate | A gentler, longer descent through the village of Schwende with wide-open views
    
7. Ebenalp-Chlus-Zisler-Aescher-Wildkirchli-Ebenalp: 4.0km | ~1hr30 | +267m/-267m | Challenging | A loop through the Zisler area, taking in cliffside paths and the Aescher restaurant
    
8. Ebenalp-Wildkirchli-Seealpsee-Wasserauen: 5.4km | ~2hr15 | +64m/-794m | Challenging | A classic descent route to the stunning alpine lake Seealpsee, with mirror-like reflections
    
9. Ebenalp-Füessler-Altenalp-Mesmer-Seealpsee-Wasserauen: 11.7km | ~4hr | +430m/-1149m | Challenging | A long-distance hike deep into the Alpstein massif, visiting the Mesmer hut and Lake Seealpsee
10. Ebenalp-Füessler-Altenalp-Mesmer-Meglisalp-Seealpsee-Wasserauen: 14.4km | ~5hr30 | +750m/-1475m | Challenging | An in-depth full-day trek through the traditional Alpine hamlet of Meglisalp — for fit hikers wanting to see the whole Ebenalp/Alpstein region