Seealpsee - Ebenalp
I did this hike on the 22nd of March, 2024, just as the snow had melted enough for the trail to be accessible and while the cable car from Ebenalp was still running. I really like the area of Alpstein and have done other hikes in the area to Säntis, Saxer Lücke and Hoher Kasten.
Full route: Swisstopo
I went with train from Zürich to Gossau and from Gossau to Wasserauen, where I started the hike. The first part of the hike was quite steep up through the forest with several small waterfalls and meltwater streams coming down. After about an hour, I came out of the fores and I got the first glimpse of the surrounding mountains.
It was a really nice and sunny day, with almost no people on the trails. The hiking path up through the forest, and generally along the entire route, was well maintained and not problematic, although a few places narrow and not for people with vertigo.
After leaving the forest you walk down towards Seealpsee, and on the entire walk down, you have really great views into the valley with Säntis in the background. I really like hiking in spring, when there is still a lot of snow on the mountain peaks but you start to have warmer weather.
I took an early coffee break to enjoy the views, and generally made my way down in a slow pace to also enjoy all the spring flowers coming up from the ground, as I got closer to Seealpsee.
Once at Seealpsee, I was rewarded with amazing views of the surrounding mountains reflecting in the calm lake. Passing Seealpsee, I walked further into the valley, where I got even better views of Säntis, almost looking like an old painting.
After Seealpsee, I started the ascent up towards Ebenalp. It was a steep hiking trail, with shorter parts being very narrow and with kettles to hold on to, so this trail I would not recommend for people with vertigo. Once I made it up, and while hiking along the trail above the valley, I had great views to the mountains around me and Seealpsee below.
There was a thin snow cover up at Ebenalp, but it wasn’t a problem to hike the last part up. I took some time up at Ebenalp, walking around to enjoy the views and especially admiring a snow covered Säntis.
Once ready, I took the cable car down from Ebenalp to Wasserauen and then the train back to Gossau and Zürich.
