Saxer Lücke: Appenzell, Eastern Switzerland

We set out on this hike to see the famous Saxer Lücke spiky peaks...but the whole landscape is such a dream. The birds eye views over Sämtisersee and Fälensee, the tiny huts way down in the valley, the fog rolling in and out through the sharp ridges. Even though the clouds obscured some of the views, and most of Saxer Lücke’s peaks, it was still an amazing day of hiking. This hike is broken up into a few different stages, with a couple good places to stop for lunch or refreshments (like Staubern or Bollenwees at Fälensee). Have lunch at Bollenwees for the best rösti of your life. They deep-fry it and it is to die for. Worth noting that the trail is rocky and narrow in some parts, and it was a bit slippery and muddy when we hiked (after a week of rain). If you are not super sure-footed or nervous of heights, wait for a sunny day after a few sunny days, so everything is nice and dry.⁣

The descent from Bollenwees to Brülisau is one of the worst. Pretty, but knee-busting. I’d recommend saving some energy and climbing back to Staubern to take the cable car from there.⁣ OR! For a beastly but EPIC day, try this route: Wasseraun - Seealpsee - Meglisalp - Widderalpsattel - Bollenwees - Saxer Lücke - Staubern (with cable car connection). Basically, this will combine the highlights from the 3 Lakes Trail with the Saxer Lücke trail. It will be a big hiking day with lots of ascent, but a pretty stunning way to experience the best of the Alpstein.⁣