Berggasthaus Bollenwees is a mountain guesthouse next to the picturesque Fählensee lake in the Alpstein region. It's the perfect base for epic hikes and climbing adventures, offering a taste of traditional Appenzeller hospitality. Their traditional Swiss mountain food is very tasty, with the best Rösti in the land.

They have a variety of accommodations, from double and family rooms with private toilets and shower to bunks and and mattress dormitories with shared toilets and pay-to-use showers. See room types.

It's a popular hut, particularly with families and groups. So best to reserve early in the season to get a spot.

Location: 9058 Rüte

Website: bollenwees.ch

Open: mid May through beginning of November

Price 2024: starting at CHF 50/adult for dormitory, CHF 95/person for private room, more on weekends. These prices include breakfast but not dinner, which can be purchased a la carte.

You can reserve on the Bollenwees website. But they prefer to talk to you on the phone +41 71 799 11 70.

How to get there

You have to hike to this hut, carrying your overnight bag (no luggage delivery). Many trails lead to Bollenwees, including the Alpstein GeoTrail from Hoher Kasten, which visits Saxer Lücke before arriving at the hut. This would be my preference.

For a shorter hike, you could use the Staubern cable car and do the short hike to Saxer Lücke, about 90 mins total to reach the hut.

Many people simply hike up from the Brülisau village, about 2 hours mostly on a service road. Bus stop: Brülisau, Kastenbahn. You can park at the Brülisau cable car Dorf 22, 9058 Brülisau or Pfannenstil parking near the trailhead at the edge of the forest. Both parking lots are metered and allow overnight/multiday parking.