Sämtisersee

Sämtisersee is a small mountain lake in the municipality of Schwende-Rüte, in the Swiss canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden. It lies in the Alpstein range at 1,209 m above sea level, covers about 13 hectares and sits beneath the cliffs of Hoher Kasten. The neighbouring Fälensee is a short hike away.

Where is Sämtisersee?

The lake fills a high valley west of Brülisau, a village within Schwende-Rüte. Alpine pastures surround it and the Alpstein ridgelines rise above the water. The coordinates are roughly 47.27° N, 9.46° E. There is no large-scale development here: the only building on the shore is the Plattenbödeli mountain inn (1,279 m).

How do you get to Sämtisersee?

Road access ends at Brülisau; the rest is on foot.

• Public transport: take the Appenzeller Bahnen train to Weissbad, then the postbus to Brülisau and the valley station of the Hoher Kasten cable car.
• By car: drive straight to the car park at the valley station in Brülisau.
• On foot: the loop from Brülisau via Plattenbödeli to the lake and back is about 10 km and takes around 3.5 hours. The path is easy and crosses open pastures.

What can you do there?

The simplest outing is a walk to the water and back via the Ruhsitz inn (1,285 m), where you can stop for a meal. Stronger hikers combine the lake with the climb to Hoher Kasten (1,793 m). That loop from Brülisau is about 11 km with 950 m of ascent, roughly 5.5 hours. You can also do it in reverse: ride the cable car to the top, descend to the Kastensattel saddle and continue down to the lake. This is about 9 km and 3 hours, almost entirely downhill.

From the lake you can also continue to Fälensee, about 2 hours 45 minutes from the cable car station in Brülisau. Cars and bikes are banned on that stretch, so it stays quiet.

When should you go?

Both inns, Plattenbödeli and Ruhsitz, normally open from May to the end of October. The best hiking months are June to September, and often October as well. Check current opening times for the inns and the cable car before you set out, as dates shift from season to season.

Frequently asked questions

Can you drive to Sämtisersee? Only as far as Brülisau. The final stretch to the lake is on foot.

How long is the walk to the lake? The loop from Brülisau is about 10 km and takes around 3.5 hours. It is easy and well signposted.

Where can you eat nearby? Plattenbödeli stands at the lake and Ruhsitz sits further down the trail. Both are open from May to the end of October.

Can you combine the lake with Hoher Kasten? Yes. The walking loop from Brülisau over the lake to the summit takes about 5.5 hours, while the descent from the top after a cable car ride takes about 3 hours.