Kronberg

Kronberg is a 1,663 m mountain in the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, rising above the villages of Jakobsbad and Gonten in northeastern Switzerland. Part of the Appenzell Alps, it is one of the region's easiest viewpoints to reach, thanks to an aerial cable car that runs to the top.

How do you get up the Kronberg?

The ride starts in Jakobsbad, where the valley station sits at 884 m. A 44-person cabin covers roughly 773 m in just under ten minutes and arrives at the summit station at 1,657 m. The line opened in summer 1964 and is operated by Luftseilbahn Jakobsbad-Kronberg AG. Jakobsbad is reachable by train or by road from Appenzell and Gonten. Operating times shift with season and weather, so check the operator's website before you travel.

What can you see from the top?

The main draw is the view. Looking north from the Kronberg you face the Säntis massif, and on a clear day the rolling hills of Appenzellerland spread out below. A restaurant at the summit lets you take it in over a meal.

What else is there to do?

The summit area suits families. Up top you will find a bobsleigh run, a rope park and a children's playground. Down at the valley station, Märliwelt is a fairy-tale play world, and a zipline park operates alongside it.

Which trails start from the Kronberg?

• Kronberg to Appenzell: a ridge route of about 9.7 km and 2 h 40 min, dropping from the summit (around 1,650 m) to Appenzell at 785 m. It passes the Jakobskapelle chapel, the Scheidegg mountain inn and Kaubad. It is usually walked June to October.
• Kronberg to Weissbad: about 9.7 km and 3 hours, rated T1 (easy mountain hiking), with Säntis in view for much of the way. The season runs May to October.
• In winter: a flat path links Gontenbad and Jakobsbad (about 4.4 km), and a marked trail continues up to the Kronberg, also used for snowshoeing. A toboggan run is available for the descent.

When should you go?

Summer and early autumn give the most comfortable hiking and usually the clearest views of Säntis. In winter the mountain draws snowshoers and tobogganers. Pick a clear day, as the cable car runs according to conditions.

FAQ

How high is the Kronberg? The summit is 1,663 m above sea level; the cable car's top station is at 1,657 m.

How long is the cable car ride? Just under ten minutes from Jakobsbad.

Can you hike up and ride down? Yes. A common option is to walk up from Gontenbad (around 3.5 hours for the winter snowshoe route) and take the cable car back to the valley. Many visitors do the reverse, riding up and walking down.

Is it a good stop with children? Yes. The summit has a bobsleigh run, rope park and playground, and the valley has Märliwelt.