Kronberg is a fun mountain area near Appenzell with gorgeous views and lots of activities for young and old. Starting in the valley, they have mountain coaster, Zipline-park, and big fairytale playground.
Then ride a cable car to the viewpoint, which overlooks the impressive Alpstein mountain range. This is the starting point for several beautiful trails including the “puzzle path” activity trail for kids.
Kronberg is a great addition to any itinerary in the Appenzell region. Keep reading for all the info you need to plan your visit.
Contents
Quick info
| Region | Appenzell region, Eastern Switzerland |
| Address: | Jakobsbad, Kronberg cable car |
| By car: | Parking: St. Josefstrasse 2, 9108 Jakobsbad 12 mins from Appenzell, 1hr15 from Zurich |
| By public transport: | Train station: Jakobsbad 8 mins from Appenzell, 1hr40 from Zürich |
| Open: | May to November |
| Cost: | cable car round trip CHF 21/adult |
| Discounts: | Discount on cable car with Swiss Travel Pass, Half Fare Card, and GA |
| Services: | restaurant, playground, coaster, ropes park, activity trail |
| More info: | kronberg.ch • webcams • weather |
Gallery
Overview
The map below shows the Kronberg mountain area.
The cable car and activities are located in the valley at Jakobsbad, which you can reach by car or train. The cable car takes you to the Kronberg mountain viewpoint, where you’ll find a restaurant and start of the trails.
How to get to Kronberg
Kronberg is a mountain in the Appenzell region in eastern Switzerland. See on Google maps.
By public transport:
The Jakobsbad train station is directly adjacent to the Kronberg cable car station.
From Appenzell train station, there is a train to Jakobsbad every 30 mins, an 8 min journey.
By car:
There is metered parking in Jakobsbad next to the cable car and activities – Jakobsbadstrasse 26, 9108 Gonten.
Travel time: From Appenzell, 8 mins. From Zurich, 1h30.
Activities
The coaster and ropes park at located at the Jakobsbad valley station, no cable car required to access them. Expect long waiting times on weekends and holidays. Best to arrive early.
Mountain coaster
You’ll find the mountain coaster at the valley station, near the playground. The coaster ride is 1 km long and takes about 5-7 mins to ride. You board the coaster at the bottom of the ride and the track pulls you to the top of the ride.
Children can ride alone from age 8. Children under age 8 must ride double with someone age 12+.
In 2025, the coaster cost CHF 9/adult and CHF 6/child per ride. The ticket is good for two people, which is a great value and not usually the case at other coasters.
If your child gets a day pass for the Fairy Tale playground, it includes one ride on the coaster.
Zipline-Park
The Zipline-Park has 25 zip lines (longest 107m!) across its five climbing parkour routes. It has two easy routes suitable for age 6+ over 110m tall. The three more difficult routes have a minimum height of 130cm.
It has two easy routes suitable for age 6+ over 110m tall. The three more difficult routes have a minimum height of 130cm.
Requirements: min 110cm height, under age 9 must be accompanied by an adult.
Cost 2025: 60 mins CHF 28/adult CHF 22/under 15 • 120 mins CHF 37/adult CHF 31/under 15
The ropes course is not in the forest, but free standing with views of the rolling hills and Kronberg mountain. This can be a disadvantage on a hot day because there is no shade.
➡️ Best to book online to avoid long waits
Playgrounds
The big “Fairy-table-world” playground is near the cable car station in the valley, next to the restaurant. It has a slides, big sandpit with construction toys, water games, play house, an air cushion and a mini football pitch.
This playground requires an admission fee for children age 3-15. Children under age 3 and supervising parents are free. Your ticket also includes one token for the trampolines and one ride on the coaster.
At the top of the Kronberg cable car, there is slide next to the restaurant.
At the Berggasthaus Scheidegg, about a 30 min walk from Kronberg, there is a restaurant and a nice playground with mountain views. Afterwards, you can hike back up to the cable car or hike all the way down to Jakobsbad, about 90 mins.
Hikes
Kronberg Summit Loop
At the top of Kronberg, there is a short stroll around the peak, less than 10 mins. The path is obstacle free, suitable for strollers. There are several lounge chairs and benches along the way.
Puzzle Path
The “puzzle path” (aka “Ratselweg”) has kids solve puzzles along the way to discover the secret word and claim a prize.
To participate you pay a small fee at the cable car ticket office to get a puzzle path set, which includes the clues and materials to help you solve the puzzles. You return the puzzle path set at the end when you claim your prize.
In 2025, they had two puzzle paths. The distance is quite long, so suitable for children about age 5-6 with hiking experience.
- “Secret of the Crown Jewels” – hike from Kronberg down to Jakobsbad, about 3h30
- “Mystery of the flower children” – hike from Jakobsbad up to Kronberg, about 4h30
The themes and offer may change year to year. Learn more.
Barefoot Path
The “Barfussweg” sensory path has you walking barefoot through a moorland landscape, across meadows and streams. It has a couple short rocky and paved sections.
Trail: 1h30 • 4.9 km one way • 63m up, 76m down
It’s a one-way trail, starting in Gontenbad and ending in Jakobsbad at the amusement center. It’s a 5 min train ride between the two.
See more trail info
Alpine Panorama Trail to Appenzell
For a longer hike, you can hike from Kronberg all the way to Appenzell. You start with spectacular views along the ridge, then dip into forests and lower meadows leading into town.
Because of the lower elevation, it’s a great choice for spring, particularly nice in mid May.
Trail: Moderate • 3.5 h • 9.8 k one way • 30m up, 870m down
More about Alpine Panorama Trail
Planning your day
Operating Times
The Kronberg cable car is open for summer season from April through November. The season opening and closing dates may vary based on snow conditions.
The cable car runs daily every 30 mins from 9:00-17:00. On weekends, holidays and summer season, it runs from 8:00-18:00.
Cable car tickets
In 2025, a round trip ticket for the cable car costs CHF 42/adult.
Discount 50% discount for children and those with Swiss Travel Pass, Half Fare Card, or GA. Children under 6 and with a SBB Junior card travel free.
Tickets for Amusements
You need tickets for the coaster, ropes park, Fairy Tale playground, and puzzle path trail. Below are 2025 prices.
For the coaster, you buy single rides, CHF 9/adult and CHF 6/child per ride. The ticket is good for two people.
For the ropes park, you pay for 60 or 120 mins. Best to book a day & timeslot in advance. See current prices.
For the Fairy Tale playground, you buy a day pass for kids aged 3-15. It includes one ride on the coaster. It can include a jewel bag and/or power animal bauble to be used for activities on the playground.
For the puzzle path, you rent the puzzle path set for CHF 19, which can be used for the whole family and includes 1 prize. If you want each child to receive a prize, you can pay CHF 5 per prize.
See current prices on the Kronberg website.
