Seealpsee
Schwende, Switzerland
A mountain lake beneath the Alpstein cliffs, about an hour’s walk from Wasserauen, or downhill from the Ebenalp cable car past the Wildkirchli caves.
The Seealpsee is a mountain lake in the Alpstein in the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, above Wasserauen and beneath the cliffs of the Säntis massif. It covers about 13.6 hectares and is up to 15 metres deep; Wikipedia gives its elevation as 1,143 metres (Bergwelten quotes conflicting values). The lake can only be reached on foot.
The shortest route from Wasserauen is about 3 kilometres long, climbs roughly 300 metres and takes about an hour. A circuit of the lake takes around 45 minutes. From the Ebenalp a very steep descent of roughly 700 metres leads past the Wildkirchli and the Gasthaus Aescher to the lake, only for experienced walkers in hiking boots. At the lake you will find the Gasthaus Seealpsee and the Berggasthaus Forelle; in summer you can hire rowing boats.
Getting there: by train to Gossau or St. Gallen, then the Appenzeller Bahn to Wasserauen. The car parks there are limited and paid, and on weekends some fill up early.
- Nearest town
- Schwende, Switzerland
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 47.2708, 9.4003
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Switzerland: Vignette needed for motorways. Vehicles over 3.5 t pay the heavy vehicle charge instead of the vignette. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Campingplatz JakobsbadCampsite7 km from SeealpseeTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Camping WerdenbergCampsite13 km from SeealpseeTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Waldcamping FeldkirchCampsite14 km from Seealpsee · 128 pitchesTentsCaravansShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Camping St. Gallen-Wittenbach LeebrückeCampsite21 km from Seealpsee · 100 pitchesTentsCaravansShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Camping MurgCampsite22 km from SeealpseeTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Alpencamping NenzingCampsite23 km from Seealpsee · 160 pitchesTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
All campsites in Switzerland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Seealpsee?
Seealpsee is in Schwende, Switzerland, at GPS 47.2708, 9.4003. It is about 6 km from Schwägalp.
Can you camp near Seealpsee?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Stellplatz Am Brüelbach, about 5 km away; within 25 km there are 29 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Seealpsee?
Seealpsee is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Rhine Falls to the Säntis.
What is there to see near Seealpsee?
Places worth a stop nearby: Säntis from Schwägalp (6 km), Appenzell Village (7 km), Abbey Library of St. Gallen (17 km) and Meersburg (48 km).
When is the best time to visit Seealpsee?
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)