Saxer Lücke Hike • Easy Trail to Famous Viewpoint

The spectacular Saxer Lücke viewpoint in the Appenzell region has become famous thanks to social media. These spiky peaks are part of the Alpstein mountain range, with many impressive geological features.

The viewpoint is relatively easy to reach, starting with the Staubern cable car then a 1 hour hike traversing the ridge. Then we suggest a detour down to the beautiful Fälensee lake, where you can eat the best Rösti in Switzerland at Berggasthaus Bollenwees.

The trail is a rocky path with uneven terrain, stairs, and some steep slopes to the side. So best for those that have sturdy hiking shoes and some experience with mountain trails. It’s popular with families, but if you go with children, take extra care on the steeper sections.

Saxer Lücke is one of our favorite places in Switzerland, where we love to taking our hiking friends and visitors. Keep reading for all the info you need to plan this hike.

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Trail overview

This shorter trail starts by riding the cable car from Frümsen (1) to Staubern (2), where you’ll find the hotel/restaurant. The trail traverses the mountain to the Saxer Lücke viewpoint (3), about 1 hour walking. 

Then you can optionally hike down to the Fälensee lake and Bollenwees restaurant (4), about 25 mins down. Then back the way you came. If you want a longer hike, you can start at Hoher Kasten (5).

Hiking map

Below is the detailed trail map for the Saxer Lücke hike. 

View interactive trail map, download GPX, and print map on Komoot • SchweizMobil • OutdoorActive

Difficulty

This trail is a white/red mountain trail, well built and maintained. It has rocky uneven terrain that is best done with sturdy hiking shoes. It has some stairs, with often a steep drop – not suitable for those with knee pain.

In some parts, there is a steep slope to one side of the trail which may bother those afraid of heights. The most exposed areas do have a cable barrier and handrail for safety.

Longer trail option

For a longer hike, you can start at the top of the Hoher Kasten cable car instead. Then hike along the ridge past Staubern to Saxer Lücke (about 7.5km), then down to Bollenwies, then all the way down the mountain ending at Brulisau.

This hike is about 16 km and descends about 1300m. It was ok, but not better than the short version and in fact, the last few km are rather miserable, very steep on a road in the forest. See this trail map here.

See the full summer hiking map for the Appenzell Alpstein area.

How to get there

This Saxer Lücke trail is located in northeast Switzerland. It is part of the Alpstein mountain range in the Appenzell region. See location on Google Maps.

This trail is accessed by the Staubern cable car, which is on the south side of the mountain range, near Liechtenstein.

By car

The cable car is located at Frümsnerbergstrasse 9467 Sennwald . It probably won’t show up in your car’s navi, so you can enter GPS: 47°14’51.5″N 9°28’14.0″E.

From the A13/E43 highway, take exit 6-Sennwald then drive toward the mountain to Frümsen. There is no specific address for the cable car. Follow the sign pointing to the cable car as you turn off Hohlengasse and continue to Frümsnerbergstrasse.

By public transport

The closest bus stop is Frümsen, Luftseilbahn Staubern, about a 500m walk from the cable car valley station, as shown below. In most cases, you’ll need to take a train to Buchs, SG, then one or two buses. Bus 411 services this stop and runs about every half hour.  But check the current schedule before heading out.

Planning your day

Ticket prices

To reach the trail, you need a return ticket on the Staubern cable car. In 2024, a return ticket cost Adult CHF 40, Child aged 6-15 CHF 20, children under 6 free, dogs CHF 10.

No discounts for GA, SBB Half-fare, Junior cards or other Swiss travel passes. This means it’s a more expensive trip for those that typically use discount cards. But for people that don’t have Swiss travel cards, this is one of the more affordable cable cars in Switzerland.

Operating times

This area is usually open for hiking from late May through early November, depending on snow conditions.

Do not hike on this trail if there is ice or snow patches, which can be very dangerous on this kind of terrain. You may find the webcam of nearby Hoher Kasten helpful in evaluating conditions.

This cable car is open daily year round to access the Staubern hotel restaurant, running from about 8:00 to 22:00 (check current opening times).

Services along the trail

At the top of the cable car, there is Berggasthaus Staubern, which has a hotel, restaurant, and toilet.

Next to the Fälensee lake (4km), there is Berggasthaus Bollenwees, with a hotel, restaurant, and toilet. No official picnic areas or places for fires along the trail.

What to wear and bring

This is a mountain hike, so weather and temperatures can change quickly. Dress appropriate to the weather forecast, bringing layers like a fleece and windbreaker/rain jacket as needed. For hot days, shorts are ok as is not a lot of tall grass to walk through. For sunny days, make sure to bring sunscreen, sun hat, and sunglasses. 

This hike is best done with sturdy hiking shoes with good tread. I find hiking sticks helpful on the rocky areas that are particularly uneven. 

I suggest bringing 1 L of water per person and snacks. But you can also buy buy drinks at the mountain restaurants.

Photo story of trail

I’ve hiked here many times so my pictures are from various trips. The pics with green grass and flowers are from July and August. The deep orange and browns are from late October.

1. Riding up the Staubern Cable Car

This picture shows the parking area next to the cable car. If that’s full, cars just park on the side of the road. Parking was free the last time we went.

This solar-powered self-service cable car is self-service. So no ticket office. Instead, you buy your ticket at a machine that accepts cards and cash.

Then you scan your ticket at the turnstile, board the cable car and it automatically closes the doors and rides to the top. You don’t need to push buttons or call an operator.

The cable car fits 8 people and takes about 8 mins to go up the mountain. Officially, it runs every 30 mins, but on busy days, it runs continuously. We were behind a large group going up for lunch, so we had to wait about 1 hour in line. I can’t say what’s normal. In any case, probably best to go early in the day. We couldn’t find a WC at the valley station, but there’s one at the restaurant at the top.

2. Arrival at Staubern viewpoint

The cable car drops you off at Berggasthaus Staubern shown here.

Berggasthaus Staubern 

They have a very nice fenced in terrace with gorgeous views over valley below and mountains beyond.

Starting the trail

Don’t follow the trail leading east along the ridge to Hoher Kasten. This would be a great hike too, but save it for next time.

Instead follow signs to Saxer Lücke, starting behind the restaurant.

Just a couple minutes after leaving Staubern, you’ll walk over some stairs to reveal this view. The lake in the far distance is the Fälensee.

The trail starts off very rocky with steep steps and a section cut into the side of the cliff.

There are some stairs and switchbacks and a couple places where there are loose rope handrails on the sides of the trail.

The mountain often slopes off steeply on one side of the trail, but it is not a cliff drop-off.

Lots of rock, some dirt.

Looking back on the trail

All the feels!

When you come out of the shade, you get a view of the famous peaks. Anywhere along here would be a nice place for a picnic.

Continue walking down the trail to get closer to the peaks.

How this trail looks in late October when the grass has turned golden brown.

This is my favorite place for pictures with the peaks.

Besides the Saxer Lucke peaks, you have great views of many other mountains in the Alpstein range.

There are a couple info boards talking about the geological formations.

The trail winds down to your right, obscuring the view for a bit.

Then you come around the corner to this view. 

Optional hike down to Bollenwees and Fälensee lake

If you are done, simply hike back the way you came to the cable car. But if you have the time and energy, I highly recommend hiking down to the Fälensee lake and Berggasthaus Bollenwees hotel/restaurant for lunch.

From this sign, follow direction Bollenwees.

It’s about 1km each way to the restaurant.

Here is the lovely Fälensee lake.

There are a couple picnic areas with fire pits along the lake. Lots of people picnic here.

But I recommend eating at the Bollewees restaurant, 

The Bollenwees menu says their rösti is widely considered the best in this region. I would absolutely agree! It’s the crispiest rösti I’ve ever had. I think they must deep fry it. It’s rich, so I suggest not adding cheese and perhaps splitting it with a friend.

Hiking back to the Staubern cable car

When you are done eating, return the way you came, hiking back up to the Saxer Lücke viewpoint. Then continue on the trail back to Staubern. Making our way back along the ridge.

Looking at Hoher Kasten on our way back. I’ve also hiked the whole ridge starting at Hoher Kasten.

FAQ

Can I bring a dog on the Saxer Lücke trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on this trail but should be on the leash for the safety of other hikers and the dog. Dogs require their own ticket on the Staubern cable car.

Can I hike the Saxer Lücke trail on a rainy day?

I do not recommend hiking this trail on a rainy day or shortly after rain. There are some sections with a steep slope on one side. The rocky terrain and/or stairs that can be slippery and dangerous when wet or with ice if overnight temperatures are cold enough.

Is the Saxer Lücke trail possible in winter?

No. The Saxer Lücke trail is covered in snow in winter and is not maintained as a winter trail. The trail is usually open from May to October. However, the Staubern cable car and hotel/restaurant are open in winter so you can enjoy the views, even if you cannot hike.

Is the Saxer Lücker hike possible with baby strollers or wheelchairs?

No. This trail is not obstacle free and not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs.