Alpstein Geological Trail (Route 988)

Hoher Kasten – Brülisau · Appenzell Innerrhoden / Ausserrhoden · Switzerland

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Point to pointRoute typederived from the track

16.37 kmDistance

5 h 24 minDuration

ModerateRecorded effort

626 mAccumulated ascent

Difficulty scale

Historic recorded designation; not verified as fitness or technique.

These groups reflect the recorded general designation, not a verified fitness or technical grade. Terrain, exposure, chains and ladders must be assessed separately; read the source notes. No SAC grade is inferred.

Official technique (source wording): medium mountain hiking trail
Official fitness (source wording): difficult

SAC T-grade: not verified

Painted waymarks: not verified

Official route source

Safety and route notes

Existing editorial notes, not live trail status. Any check date below applies only to that static check; recheck official notices and local conditions before departure.

Summer mountain hike; snow can persist on high sections into early summer, and the exposed ridge sections require sure-footedness and a head for heights.
Check local trail conditions before departure.
No claim of current opening; no closure notice was displayed on the official route page when checked on 2026-10-24.

Official route source

Map and track

Track with 2,394 imported points

Altitude and elevation

Elevation profile

1784 mStart altitude

922 mMinimum altitude

1816 mMaximum altitude

626 mAccumulated ascent

1489 mAccumulated descent

32 mAltitude differenceestimated · maximum altitude minus start altitude

About the trail

Geologischer Wanderweg Alpstein, official SchweizMobil summer hiking Route 988, from Hoher Kasten to Brülisau via Staubern, Saxerlücke, Fählensee, Bollenwees and Sämtisersee. This is the complete walking route; the Hoher Kasten cable car only replaces the ascent to the start. Official figures: 16 km, 5 h 25 min, +640 m / −1,500 m; the licensed dense federal geometry measures 16.37 km and accumulated +626 m / −1,489 m. Medium mountain hiking trail with difficult physical requirement. Switzerland's first geological hiking trail: twenty information panels explain the geology of the Alpstein massif, including the Sax-Schwende Fault, with the best views at Saxerlücke. Summer mountain hike; snow can persist on high sections into early summer, and the exposed ridge sections require sure-footedness and a head for heights. Cable car and mountain restaurants operate seasonally. Check local trail conditions before departure. No claim of current opening; no closure notice was displayed on the official route page when checked on 2026-10-24. Source: SchweizMobil, https://schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/route-988. Geometry: federal ASTRA Open Government Data, OGD BY. Attribution: Bundesamt für Strassen, Kanton, Stiftung SchweizMobil. Official classification: medium mountain hiking trail; difficult fitness. Source: https://schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/route-988. Classification checked 25 October 2026.

Getting there and access

Location:: Hoher Kasten – Brülisau · Appenzell Innerrhoden / Ausserrhoden · Switzerland
Track start:: 47.28379, 9.48560
Parking:: No data

Start coordinates: 47.28379, 9.48560

Check public transport and mountain roads before leaving; some routes close in winter.

Open directions

Recommended equipment

Unavailable

Not recorded. Missing information does not mean there is no risk.

Weather and official alerts

Weather forecast

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The weather forecast does not confirm that the activity is safe. Check local conditions and official alerts before setting out.

Official alerts

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Community photos

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