Insider tip No. 4: for a Rösti on the «Schäfler»

Many of us were disappointed when the Aescher closed its doors in the fall of 2018. However, since the paths to the limestones have been a little worn out since the village of Alpstein was founded in 2015, various international Beauty and popularity awards it is worth trying alternative routes for a hike with Rösti feast. This hiking tip takes you over Alp Bommen and Gartenalp to Schäfler, where a fine Rösti and a magnificent view of the Säntis await you.

• Starting point: Wasserauen
• End point: Wasserauen (Ebenalpbahn)
• Duration: Wasserauen --> Schäfler: approx. 135 min.; Schäfler --> Ebenalpbahn mountain station: approx. 40 min.
• Demand: medium
• Panorama: magnificent (unusual view up the ski slope, from Schäfler great view of Wagenlücke, Säntis and Öhrli)
• Other: Price downhill Ebenalpbahn = 20.- or 10.- with half-price travelcard
• Gastronomy: Alp Bommen, Schäfler mountain inn, Ebenalp mountain inn

We start our tour - as for the Äscher - in Wasserauen. A little below the valley station of the Ebenalpbahn, we enter the forest at a small farm and a striking rock. The ascent to Alp Bommen through the forest is quite steep, but not very far. Depending on your pace, you should come out of the forest after about 40 minutes. There you follow the path briefly across green meadows (at the edge of the forest you can often see deer or chamois), before you reach Alp Bommen on your left.

The Alp Bommen is always worth a stop, be it for a chat with the farmer and boss Annemarie, for a bottle of cider or to buy a piece of cheese. For all those who are on the road early and are already suffering from a first hangover, there are also delicious meat and cheese platters (quite large portions!)).

• 

• 

From the lush meadows around Alp Bommen we now change - still as in the direction of Äscher - to an angular gravel road, which serves as a ski slope in winter. But instead of turning left at the signpost into the forest to Äscher, we continue straight on towards Gartenalp.

• 

• 

• 

UP TO THE SCHÄFLER

The first part of the path that now follows is nice and wide, sun and shade alternate. From Gartenalp (1472; ascent also possible alternatively via Lehmen/Eugst) the ascent is again steeper: we look towards Chlus (1726; top middle of the ridge). The way over the scree (we are still on the ski slope) is a bit exhausting (at the latest here you are glad for a sip of water from the water bottle), but the unusual view towards Neuenalp (Loo, on the right) compensates for the sweat running off your forehead. By the way, the flank to our left also contains some climbing routes.

• 

Arrived at the top of the Chlus, we enjoy the fantastic view all around and the worst is already over - which is also made clear by the view that one now has of the Schäfler (1924). The last part of the way to the pub can be done in 20 to 30 minutes.

The Schäfler awaits us with his sensational view towards Säntis, which invites us to sit outside. If it's too cold/wind, it's also very comfortable inside (note the great old photos on the wall). Since food and drink can be transported to the mountain inn by cable car, you won't have to do without anything here. Beside the Rösti there's also a super yesterday soup, salads, plättli, Chäshörnli (with sausage) and much more.

If you want to go further from the Schäfler the next day - for example to the Säntis or to the Rotsteinpass - you can also stay overnight here(1 single and 5 double rooms).

Our suggestion is to take the same route back from the Schäfler via the Chlus and from there to the mountain station of the Ebenalpbahn, because from there you can comfortably return to the valley in the gondola - this is easy on your kneecaps 😉 (If your strength is not yet at an end, there are various options for returning to the valley, e.g. via the Seealpsee). From the Chlus you are relatively quickly in the Ebenalp in front (about 30 minutes). At one point the path offers a great view towards Seealpsee/Meglisalp.

In the gondola, which quickly jets towards Wasserauen, we still enjoy the view of the opposite mountain range and have Kamor, the Hohen Kasten and Alp Siegel in view - or: a piece of homeland 🙂