Overview
The Säntis is the highest peak of the Alpstein range in north-eastern Switzerland, at 2,502 m, and one of the most recognisable summits in the country. A cable car from Schwägalp climbs to the top in minutes, where on a clear day you can see parts of six countries.
Below the mountain, the Appenzell region is a land of green hills, painted farmhouses and cheese-making. The Ebenalp cable car leads to the Wildkirchli caves and a guesthouse set into the cliff, and the Seealpsee lake sits below a rocky amphitheatre, reached by an easy walk.
Highlights
- The Säntis summit and its cable car from Schwägalp
- The Ebenalp cliff-side guesthouse and Wildkirchli caves
- Seealpsee, a small mountain lake below the Alpstein
- The villages and cheese dairies of Appenzell
Best time to visit
May to October is the best time, with the high paths usually clear from June. Autumn brings clear air and good light. In winter, the Säntis cable car still runs and the lower slopes offer snowshoe and sledge routes, but the high paths are closed.
- JanJanuary: Not ideal
- FebFebruary: Not ideal
- MarMarch: Not ideal
- AprApril: Not ideal
- MayMay: Good
- JunJune: Best
- JulJuly: Best
- AugAugust: Best
- SepSeptember: Best
- OctOctober: Good
- NovNovember: Not ideal
- DecDecember: Not ideal
● Best · ○ Good · blank: not ideal. Conditions vary by year, so check local forecasts and access before you go.
Getting there
Fly to Zurich (ZRH), then travel by train via St. Gallen to Appenzell, about two hours. Local buses and the train to Urnäsch connect with the Säntis cable car at Schwägalp. The Ebenalp cable car leaves from Wasserauen, at the end of the Appenzell railway.
What to expect
Easy to moderate. The cable cars make the views easy, and walks around Seealpsee and Ebenalp are gentle. Routes on the ridges are steeper and need good shoes and careful weather checks.
Practical tips
- Check cable car times and the Säntis webcam, as the summit is often in cloud.
- Go early to see the Ebenalp guesthouse before crowds arrive.
- Try local cheese and Appenzeller specialties in the villages.
- Carry warm clothes, as the Säntis is windy and cold even in summer.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to the top of Säntis?
By cable car from Schwägalp, a ride of about ten minutes. You can also hike up, a long route for experienced walkers.
What is special about the Ebenalp guesthouse?
It is built into a cliff face and is reached by a cable car and a short walk, with views over the Alpstein.
Is it good for families?
Yes. The cable cars, short walks and the lake make it an easy family trip.
Official sources
Rules, fees, permits and conditions change. Check the official pages below before you travel.
Last reviewed October 2026. Details are for planning only and can change; confirm access, permits and conditions with official sources before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us. Photography: Daniel Kraft (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
