Want to visit one of the most iconic mountain viewpoints in Switzerland? Then look no further than this hike to the Saxer Lücke viewpoint.
This hike is short, but absolutely spectacular! It leads you along a rocky mountain ridge path (so is best for people who already have at least some hiking experience) to the epic sight of the jagged, dramatic rock formations.
This is one that I think should be at the top of everyone’s list for a first time visit to Switzerland.
Overview of the Saxer Lücke Hike
| Location: | Appenzell Region |
| Difficulty: | moderate |
| Distance: | 6km |
| Duration: | 2.5 hours |
| Elevation Gain: | 240m up and down |
| Starting Point: | Staubern cable car station |
| End Point: | Staubern cable car station |
| Trail Type: | There and back trail, from the cable car station to the Saxer Lücke viewpoint |
| Trail Conditions: | red and white mountain trail, rocky paths so sturdy hiking boots and poles are recommended |
Route Variations to the Saxer Lücke Hike
There are actually many different routes you can take to get to and from the Saxer Lücke viewpoint. They vary from long to short, and easy to more difficult. Therefore it’s a great hiking destination since you can adapt your plans and route to whatever suits your level and needs best!
The route that we did (and is the one detailed in this blog post) is the easiest version of the hike: a there and back trail from the Staubern cable car to the viewpoint.
Here are the other main route variations of the Saxer Lücke hike:
- Include a visit to the lake of Fälensee – extend your there-and-back trail by continuing down to the beautiful alpine lake of Fälensee after the Saxer Lücke viewpoint (adds on an extra 2km)
- Loop hike starting at Hoher Kasten – take the cable car up to Hoher Kasten from the village of Brülisau to start the hike. From there hike along the ridge to Staubern, then Saxer Lücke, Fälensee and finally continue on until you end back at Brülisau. The total hike is about 17km.
Summary of the Saxer Lücke Hike
The hike to the Saxer Lücke viewpoint is located in the Alpstein mountain range in the Appenzeller region of Switzerland. It’s an extremely popular spot so don’t expect to be alone there. But it’s one of those places which just has to be seen with your own eyes, meaning you can understand why it gets a little busy!
The famous viewpoint isn’t the only reason to visit though! The whole area is stunning and the hike will offer incredible views of mountain peaks, green valleys and bright blue lakes.
How to Get There
You’ll start your hike at the top station of the Staubern cable car, which is also where Berggasthaus Staubern is located. You can reach here easily by public transport or by car.
- By public transport: it’s easy to get to but will likely require a few changes onto different trains and buses. The nearest bus stop is Frümsen, Lüftseilbahn Stauben, which is serviced by bus 411, from there you’ll need to walk around 10 minutes to the cable car station. If you’re travelling from Zürich, you’ll likely need to catch one or two trains to Buchs SG, then a bus to Gams, Zentrum, and then finally from there catch the 411 bus.
- By car: searching for Frümsen Lüftseilbahn on Google Maps will take you there. There is a car park at the cable car station.
I recommend going as early as possible to beat the crowds, not only on the trail but also at the gondola station. Officially, the cable car only runs every 30 min and only holds 8 people. If you come at a busy time this can mean a very long wait in line!
Trail Highlights
There are lots of things to love about the Saxer Lücke hike! Here are the main highlights you can expect to enjoy:
- The incredible Saxer Lücke viewpoint: of course, the main highlight HAS to be the Saxer Lücke viewpoint itself! The jagged and dramatic rock formations are a wonder to behold, and this viewpoint make the perfect lunch picnic spot.
- Views over Switzerland and Austria: yes, thats correct – you can enjoy the views over two different countries up here! Infact, this trail is so close to the border that I got a “Welcome to Austria” text while we were hiking here!
- The stunning Fälensee lake: contrasting greatly with the deep green of the valley, is the blue of Fälensee. You’ll get gorgeous views of this lake from up above, and after you’ve reached the viewpoint, you can optionally hike all the way down to its shores.
- Ridgeline hiking: this hike takes you along a ridgeline which I always think gives such special panoramic views of the surrounding scenery.
Tickets and Prices
To do this hike you’ll need a return ticket for the Frümsen – Staubern cable car. This costs 40 CHF and unfortunately they don’t do any discounts for GA or Half-Fare Cards. Return tickets for children cost 20 CHF and for dogs is 10 CHF. (This information is correct as of March 2025 – you can find up-to-date information here.)
The Route: Maps and Information
The route is well sign-posted. On arrival at Staubern, look for the sign pointing to “Saxerlüke” and follow that. Afterwards, there is only one trail until you reach the viewpoint, so no chance of getting lost!
Below I’ve attached a Google Map to help you plan your hike. I’ve marked on all the key spots, as well as the hiking route that we took, and the optional extras if you want to extend your hike.
My experience of the Saxer Lücke hike
We hiked this there-and-back trail to the Saxer Lücke viewpoint in June 2023 on a hot and sunny day. At this point, this hike had been on my list for a long time. Therefore, we were excited to make the day trip from where we live in Zürich and finally check it out.
Arriving at the top of the Staubern Cable Car
We arrived at the bottom of the cable car at around 10am, and immediately regretted not coming earlier. It was already a little busy – not an issue for bigger cable cars, but since this one only fits 8 and doesn’t run continuously, a long line can quickly form. I recommend coming as early as you can on a weekend.
Once we arrived at the top, all the queuing was forgotten though! The views were already incredible and we could tell it was going to be a great hike! You exit the cable car right at Berggasthaus Staubern, and there are bathrooms there that you can use. There is also a cafe with nice outdoor seating.
On the Trail
From the Berggasthaus, follow the sign for Saxer Lücke. The trail is behind the buildings and is immediately quite rocky and uneven so good footwear is a must, and hiking poles are useful.
The trail isn’t long or too technically difficult, but it does drop of steeply to the sides in parts, so it’s worth taking care.
The first Glimpse of the famous peaks
After a short while on the trail we reached a stunning ridge section with gave us our first glimpse of the famous jagged rock formations! They are truly stunning, and you can see why this has become such a popular hike.
The trail then soon starts to wind downwards, and you get to enjoy the famous peaks, as well as views of the rest of the Alpstein mountain range, from lots of different angles.
We also saw soo many beautiful wildflowers – I think this is one of the perks of hiking in June!
Arriving at the Saxer Lücke Viewpoint for a Picnic Lunch
After about an hour and a half of enjoyable hiking, we reached the Saxer Lücke viewpoint. It was the perfect place to stop for a picnic lunch, and to soak up the sunshine and the scenery for a while! We weren’t the only ones who had this idea, and so a lot of other people were doing the same. For us, this created a really lovely and joyful atmosphere! However, if you prefer solitude when you hike in the mountains, this hike probably isn’t for you (in peak season at least!).
Hiking Back the Way we Came
After a leisurely lunch break, it was time to hike back the same way we came! Reaching the cable car we felt so happy – this hike had long been on a list and it was amazing to finally have experienced it! Although it wasn’t a long or tough hike, the heat that day meant we felt absolutely exhausted (in the best way) and were ready to head back to Zürich.
FAQs About the Saxer Lücke Hike
Find all the practical information here to help you plan your hike to the Saxer Lücke viewpoint.
What Time of Year is Best for the Saxer Lücke Hike?
The trail is normally open, prepared and (mostly) free from snow from June until October. However, every year is different and the mountains can be unpredictable. You should always check local mountain transport and resort websites and webcams for up to date information. The trail is not open or maintained during winter.
Personally, I enjoyed June on this trail, but I can also imagine a sunny day in early autumn being beautiful here.
Most importantly, whatever month it is, I wouldn’t recommend hiking this trail in rain, snow or stormy weather. It could easily become slippery and unsafe.
What Facilities are There on the Saxer Lücke hike?
The Staubern Gasthaus at the beginning has toilets you can use, as well as a cafe/shop where you can buy food and drinks. There are no other facilities on the trail to the viewpoint. If you decide to extend your hike by going down to Fälensee, there is also a Berggasthaus with toilets there.
What Should I Bring and Wear on the Saxer Lücke Hike?
Remember, the weather in the mountains can change quickly and even though this hike is short, it’s worth being prepared for every eventuality. This is what I recommend bringing for this particular hike:
- Sturdy footwear: this is a red-and-white trail with steep, rocky and uneven sections, so good hiking boots with sturdy tread are a must.
- Hiking poles: not needed the whole time, but useful on the rocky downhill sections.
- Plenty of water and snacks: there are only facilities and restaurants at the start of this trail, so make sure you bring everything you need with you!
- Waterproofs and light layers: dress appropriately for the weather forecast that day, but always remember to pack light layers and waterproofs as well. The weather can always be unpredictable in the mountains! A recommendation for my fellow mountain women, I’m always packing my light thermal and waterproof jacket from LaMunt.
- Sun protection: there is not a lot of share on this hike so make sure to bring sun cream, a sun hat and sunglasses.
Where Should I Stay When Doing the Saxer Lücke Hike?
We did this hike as a day trip from Zürich where we live, and it’s totally doable if you are living or basing yourself there too. However, basing yourself nearby has the benefit of getting an early start on the trail. You could also book a few nights, creating a multi-day getaway in the Appenzell region and hiking other nearby trails on the same trip.
What Other Hikes and Activities are Nearby?
If you plan to stay longer in the Appenzell region, here are some other hiking trails and mountain locations the explore:
- Schäfler Ridge Hike
- Seealpsee
- Ebenalp
- Hoher Kasten
- Berggasthaus Aescher
Final Thoughts on the Saxer Lücke Hike
This hike to the Saxer Lücke viewpoint should be on everyone’s list for summer in Switzerland – it’s truly spectacular! I hope you’ve found this post helpful and please do let me know if you do this hike yourself!
Looking for more summer hikes in Switzerland? I’m sure you’d love the Engelberg 4 Lakes Trail or the route from Monte San Salvatore to Morcote!