This Alpine area in Appenzellerland sits at an altitude of more than 5,000 feet and is home to the much-photographed Aescher-Gasthaus, Switzerland’s version of the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. The 19th-century guesthouse was constructed directly into a jagged cliff face and while guests can no longer stay overnight, it’s a popular place for a meal. The cable car to Aescher departs from Wasserauen, and then a 20-minute hike passes ancient Wildkirchli caves that were once home to prehistoric bears and, later, 16th-century hermits. There’s also a grotto chapel built right into the stone, a small museum, and a sheep farm on some seriously steep meadow terrain.
APPENZELL - Das Berggasthaus Aeescher-Wildkirchli - Berggasthaus des Jahres 2012 nach ICOMOS - direkt an die Felswand gebaut bei der Ebenalp im Alpstein. The Aeescher-Wildkirchli mountain guest house - mountain guest house of the year 2012 according to ICOMOS - built directly into the rock face on the Ebenalp in Alpstein. L’auberge de montagne Aeescher-Wildkirchli - Auberge de montagne etablie en 2012 apres ICOMOS - construite directement sur la paroi rocheuse pres de l’Ebenalp dans l’Alpstein. Copyright by: Appenzellerland Tourismus AI By-Line: swiss-image.ch/Roland Gerth
swiss-image.ch/Roland Gerth
