Schwägalp to Kronberg Hike

By Vicky · Published Nov. 9th, 2024 · Updated Nov. 10th, 2024

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The hike from Schwägalp to Kronberg is a fairly easy walk with great views of the Alpstein massif and a hut at the top for refreshments.

Location

This hike up Kronberg starts from Schwägalp. There’s space to park on the edge of the road and it’s free but can get busy during summer weekends. Alternatively, the Schwägalp, Passhöhe Bus Stop is right at the start of this hike. The hike ends at Steinfluh Bus Stop. If you parked at the top, it’s a 7-minute bus ride back up, check here for the timetable. Or you can walk back up a track through forests and fields, adding an extra 3 km and almost 300 metres of climb (roughly 1 hour).

Schwägalp to Kronberg Hiking Map

Schwägalp to Kronberg Hiking Route

From the car park along the side of the road or the bus stop, head to the car back behind Gasthaus Passhöhe and follow the gravel path towards the forest. Continue on this nice gravel path through the wood and up to Säntis – das Hotel*. This hotel is right next to the cable car up to the top of Säntis, the highest peak in the Alpstein range of Appenzell.

Cross through the car park on the other side of the hotel and take the small hiking path. This is a lovely part of the hike as it’s quite flat and the tall mountains soar above you to the right. After a small amount of uphill to the top of a gentle ridge, turn left. The path leads slightly downhill and into a forest.

You reach a low point, then start ascending again and come out into some fields. Continue heading upwards quite steeply until the top of the ridge. From here there’s an out-and-back to the top of Kronberg.

Kronberg and the Hut

It’s almost 1 km with almost 100 metres of climb from where you reach the ridge to Kronberg Hut. It can be surprisingly busy here, as there’s a cable car which brings people quickly up the restaurant in the hut. There are also great views here (when it’s not misty!).

Enjoy a drink and perhaps some food in Kronberg Hut before preparing to leave again. Head back down the way you came, then continue along the nice path at the top of the ridge. It’s about 2.5 km along here with some climb through a wooded section. Then you’ll reach a turnoff, with the path heading steeply downwards to the left.

The path here is slightly unclear in places, but generally heads near the border of the trees and the open fields. After the hill gets a bit less steep, the path leads left and into the field to the little hut. There’s a nice bench here if you want to enjoy the views.

From here the path continues downwards and you’ll soon come to a track. This leads left and to the road. There’s a bus stop here right where you come out. Buses head from up back up to the top where you started (see here for the timetable). Or if you still have the energy, there’s a track leading up on the far side of the road. It is about 3 km with almost 300 meters climb back up, so will take roughly 1 hour.

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If you prefer overnight hikes in the Alps, check out the Swiss National Park 3-Day Hike, the Berchtesgaden National Park hike or the hike up Großer Krottenkopf. Or, check out other nearby walks: from Schwägalp to Urnäsch via Hochalp, or Schwägalp Short Walk. For more hikes and city walks, see our hiking routes in nearby Germany.