Berggasthaus Äscher

About

The Berggasthaus Äscher (also known as Aescher-Wildkirchli mountain inn) is one of several inns in the Alpstein massif in the Swiss canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden (Schwende-Rüte district). It was built in one of the caves of the Wildkirchli, below the Ebenalp (at 1,640 m above the sea), along the path to Äscher.

The mountain inn has been in existence since 1846. The current building was constructed in 1860 on the site of a rock shelter for monks living as hermits. It is a listed building of national significance and belongs to the Wildkirchli Foundation.

Since the 'Berggasthaus Äscher' appeared on the cover of National Geographic in 2015 (title “Places of a lifetime”), tourism has grown rapidly. Photos shared via social media boosted the famousness of the picturesque location. Since then, it also has become a symbol of overtourism. Car traffic has increased, especially during the peak season.

In 2019/2020, the building fabric was renovated. The external appearance of the Äscher remained almost unchanged.

Wasserauen railway station, located at 869 m (2,851 ft), is the upper terminus of the Gossau–Wasserauen railway line and situated near the valley station of an aerial tram ( Luftseilbahn Wasserauen–Ebenalp ) to Ebenalp. The railway staition is served by the S23 service of St. Gallen S-Bahn to Appenzell, Herisau and Gossau SG stations (the latter two are served by national long-distance trains).