Hiking Seealpsee And Ascher Restaurant In Wasserauen

A couple of months ago, I snuck away to St. Gallen, Switzerland, for some editing. Despite the allure of the nearby Swiss Alps, I stuck to my plan to stay put and edit. That was until my friends surprised me with a trip to a “lake in the mountains.” That “lake” was Seealpsee, a place already on my bucket list for its unique restaurant built into the mountainside.

Driving From St. Gallen to Appenzell and Seealpsee

The drive from St. Gallen to Seealpsee in Wasserauen took only about 40 minutes, though I wouldn’t have minded if it was longer. We traveled south on small country roads through idyllic Appenzell villages that looked like they were frozen in medieval times. I half expected to see locals emerging from ornate doors, singing and offering freshly churned butter and chocolates. Sadly, they didn’t.

From Zurich to Wasserauen, it’s about an hour and 40 minutes. Give yourself extra time to explore some of these charming villages along the way.

When we arrived in Wasserauen, the air was incredibly crisp. With towering granite mountains, rolling hills, and cows milling about, the place felt quintessentially Swiss.

A Wanderung To Seealpsee

“Let’s wanderung!” And off we started the hike. Not perfect German, but it captured our excitement. In the parking lot, there’s a large board with trail maps. Snap a photo for reference, though the trail is straightforward. There’s one path up to the lake, which then forms a loop around it.

Offshoots lead to other hikes, and there’s a cable car for those who want to ride up to Ebenalp and take a short walk to the famous Äscher restaurant.

The walk from the parking lot to the lake is 3 km, a steady uphill climb. Time passes quickly with the tranquil sound of a creek and the surrounding beech forest. At the top, I was at a loss for words. I ran off excitedly, pointing out spots and marveling at how everything looked so unreal.

Everything appeared perfectly placed, like a delicate landscape designed by a nature specialist or Bob Ross. Look at those two boats. How did they end up there?

I hadn’t even seen the best part yet. As you approach the lake, it’s hidden behind the tree line. Following the trail, the view of the lake gradually opens up. And then, suddenly, there it is.

And then this.

The Best Instagram Spots In Seealpsee?

Every corner or turn revealed the same lake, yet it felt new each time. Perhaps it was the mist floating above, hiding parts of the backdrop and revealing them again. Maybe it was the vibrant and muted tones blending together so harmoniously.

Jumping In For A Cold Swim

The parking lot was full, and we certainly weren’t the only visitors, but it didn’t feel that way. The comforting quiet was amplified by the stillness of the water. When I decided to swim, I felt a tinge of guilt for breaking the glass-like surface.

I also felt very cold because the water was glacial. Luckily, I had the foresight to do 10 minutes of exercise to warm up my core.

After the swim, we continued around the lake and stopped by a little farmhouse that served fresh milk and yogurt, made from the cows we had seen chilling about. Alpine milk. I’ve never tasted milk and yogurt so fresh.

Maybe it was the air, the view, or perhaps the cow itself. Whatever it was, it was an amazing treat. I finished it so fast, I forgot to take a photo.

Further along the trail, I stumbled upon a boy fishing. He seemed perfectly placed for a photo, almost unreal, as if he stepped out of a scene from Westworld. Every spot felt like the “best” photo spot, each one better than the last.

Or this dog, who came out of nowhere just as I pressed the shutter.

Honestly, there were too many great photo opportunities, so take your time. I recommend starting on the west side and making your way around before heading up to the restaurant.

Hiking to Ascher Cliff Restaurant

The hike up to the famous restaurant built into the side of the mountain adds a few kilometers, but there’s plenty of shade if you’re hiking on a hot day. It’s a beautiful stretch of walking as the valley opens up below you.

It wasn’t as touristy as I expected, and we managed to grab a cup of coffee and dessert before continuing onward. Having not used my camera for almost a month and making this trip at the last minute, I committed the cardinal sin of photography—running out of batteries. In the spur of the moment, I decided not to take a photo with my phone. Sometimes, I choose to keep a place in my memories rather than in my photo gallery.

The Äscher restaurant was one of those places. I’d seen so many photos of it already. Experiencing it in person, without the distraction of a camera, felt just right.

Hiking To The Caves and Wildkirchi Chapel

Before hiking back down, we ventured further to see the little chapel and the caves. Benches in front of the altar are used for a monthly service held for pilgrims who make their journey here. We decided not to finish the hike to Ebenalp since we started late in the morning and needed to get back for a party.

It was a bummer not to reach the top, but I don’t have FOMO when it comes to vistas from the summit. I’ve always found the views along the way more impressive because you see new things popping up for the first time.

Check The Seealpsee Webcam Before You Go

There are a few webcams set up around the lake, so you can check the conditions before your trip. These webcams show whether the lake is frozen and provide temperatures at the bottom and at the lake, helping you dress accordingly.

The webcast offers hourly shots of the lake from the restaurant on the south side, providing a real-time view of this stunning location.

Seealpsee is one of the most picturesque lakes I’ve seen in my travels. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Switzerland. If you’ve been to other amazing spots in Switzerland, leave a comment below. I can’t wait to go back and explore more!

Looking for more travel inspirations? Scroll through some of the 450+ experiences on my bucket list. Maybe you’ll find your next adventure on there.

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Updated on June 3, 2024