Perched dramatically against a sheer cliffside in the Swiss Alps, the Aescher Guesthouse looks like something out of a fairytale or the cover of National Geographic, which is exactly how it rose to worldwide fame.
Tucked beneath the jagged peaks of Ebenalp, this wooden inn has welcomed travelers since the 1800s.
Imagine stepping off a mountain path and finding a cozy guesthouse carved into the rock face, with sweeping views of the valley below. That’s Aescher. A place that feels both impossible and magical, and one that instantly steals the heart of anyone who makes the journey.
If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting this legendary hut, here’s everything you need to know including how to get there, when to go, what it costs, and what awaits you once you arrive.
History of Aescher
Though the inn itself has been around since the mid-19th century, Aescher’s story stretches back much further.
The nearby Wildkirchli caves were once shelters for hermits and even prehistoric people. Bones of cave bears and traces of a 17th-century hermitage have been discovered here.
When National Geographic featured Aescher in Destinations of a Lifetime, the guesthouse suddenly became one of Switzerland’s most iconic sights.
But its true magic isn’t in fame, it’s in standing on that terrace, looking out across endless mountains, and feeling like you’ve stepped into another world.
How Can You Visit Berggasthaus Aescher?
Berggasthaus Aescher is easily accessible by public transport and car.
Wasserauen
You can take a train (or drive) to Wasserauen (near Appenzell) from almost everywhere in Switzerland; you might have to change trains here and there.
The Easy Way: Via Ebenalp Gondola
At Wasserauen, look for the Ebenalp cable car station. It is just behind the train station, only a short walk once you get off the train.
The cable car takes you to the top of that massive mountain, and you’re just a short walk from Aescher.
When you get out of the cable car, look for a path made from stone blocks that leads downhill. This mountain path will take you straight to the Aescher guesthouse, and you can enjoy some pretty views along the way. It’s a steep path, so take your time and be careful.
The More Challenging Way: Via Seealp Lake
For those wanting a more scenic and challenging way up, you can hike up to Seealp Lake (Seealpsee in German), which is shown in the photo above. From there, it is a rather steep and narrow dirt path up to the Hut.
Do not do the steep hike unless you are in reasonable shape and have good footing. It is not an easy path and requires good shoes (hiking shoes if possible), especially if it has been raining.
Hiking time is around 1 hour to Seealp lake, and a further one hour up to the hut.
From there you can hike up to the cable car for a shortcut to getting back to the train or car park at Wasserauen.
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👉👉 MORE DETAILED HIKING MAP HERE
Opening Times
The Aescher guesthouse usually opens in early May and stays open until the end of November. The restaurant’s opening times depend on the season—from May to October, it’s open from 7:30 AM, but in November, the restaurant opens at 8 AM and closes at 8 PM.
It’s worth noting that the cable car stays open longer, so you could hike here even if the guesthouse is closed. Naturally, that’s only if the conditions are good enough to descend from the mountain station to the guesthouse.
There’s a serious risk of avalanches in the winter, so if you’re dead set on visiting the area, at least make sure that the conditions are safe and avoid visiting the area in heavy snow.
Ticket Prices
A return ticket for the Ebenalb cable car costs 34 CHF for adults. The tickets are cheaper for kids, and it’s worth noting that you can get all sorts of discounts for the tickets. If you have the Swiss Travel Pass, you pay only 50% of the price.
On the other hand, even dogs have to have their own tickets at the Ebenalp cable car, which is a bit too much if you ask me. Also, I have to point out that these prices are listed as summer ticket prices, which leads me to believe that there’s some sort of discount for visitors who come here in the off-season. I couldn’t find any exact information, but it’s something to keep in mind.
Since Aescher is a restaurant/guesthouse, you don’t have to purchase a ticket to visit. You can just get coffee at the restaurant, stay for lunch, or book a night in one of the guesthouse rooms.
The famous Wildkirchli church is also accessible for free, so you really only need to pay for the cable car ticket.
What to Expect When Visiting Aescher
One of the main things to expect when visiting Aescher is cold weather. Even if you come here in the middle of the summer, you need to bring a warm layer. The guesthouse is some 1500 meters above sea level, so it can get very chilly here in the evenings, even on the hottest summer days.
Also, the guesthouse is not heated and travelers are advised to bring a warm blanket or their own sleeping bag. Depending on which room you choose to stay in, that sleeping bag might be your only source of warmth.
The accommodation options at Aescher that include a duvet are the double room with the comfy double bed and the quadruple room. There’s also a group room for up to 15 people – there aren’t any duvets or blankets here, and a personal sleeping bag is necessary.
On top of that, there’s also the Hermit Lodge. This accommodation is separate from the guesthouse, and it’s between Aescher and the Wildkirchli cave. All guests who stay at Aecscher are treated to a welcome drink and a delicious breakfast in the morning.
The Aescher restaurant is even more popular than the inn. It’s visited by all the people who choose to stay at the inn, plus countless hikers who come to the area just for the views. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and it stays open throughout the entire season.
The restaurant only accepts reservations for groups of 10 people, and reservations for the terrace can be made only for the time slot between 7:30 AM and 9 AM. It’s first come first served, so if you want to enjoy the views from the restaurant terrace, you better get here as early as possible.
Other Places to Stay Near Aescher
Want to visit Aescher but don’t necessarily want to sleep in a house without heating? Then you should know that it’s not your only option to stay in Ebenalp, Switzerland.
Berggasthaus Ebenalp is another popular inn in the area, just minutes from the top cable car station. It has great rooms with panoramic views, free WiFi, and complimentary breakfast.
Several hotels and guest houses in Wasserauen are also within walking distance of the bottom cable car station. The only problem with staying in Wasserauen is that you need to pay for the cable car whenever you want to go up to Aescher, and that can be very pricey if you’re staying in the area for a while and plan on doing multiple trips.
