Alpstein


The Alpstein are a subgroup of the Appenzell Alps in Eastern Switzerland. The Alpstein massif is located south of the village of Appenzell and extends across the cantons of Appenzell Innerrhoden, Appenzell Ausserrhoden and St. Gallen. It is a popular tourist site.
Despite it being rather low when compared to other Alpine peaks – the highest mountain is the Säntis at – the Alpstein, due to their northern "outpost" position only a short distance from Lake Constance are relatively tall when compared to the surrounding area. The range also includes the Altenalp Türm as the northernmost summit above in Switzerland.

Description

Geologically, the Alpstein massif is different from the predominantly granitic central Alps. The Alpstein are predominantly a limestone massif and thus represent a kind of western continuation of the eastern ranges, running between the Bavarian Alps and the Austrian Alps.
Morphologically, there are three main tectonic folds running from southwest to northeast. The main peaks and mountains of the northern chain are : Silberplatten, Grenzchopf, Säntis, Altenalp Türm, Schäfler and Ebenalp. The Altmann is the main peak of the middle chain, which also includes the Wildhuser Schafberg, Hundstein, Marwees and Alp Sigel, while the southern chain is marked by the Kreuzberge, Saxer Lücke, Furgglenfirst, Staubern, Hoher Kasten and Kamor. Only the Lisengrat, the connection between the two peaks of Säntis and Altmann runs perpendicular to the main ridges.
There are three lakes. The Seealpsee is located between the northern and middle chain, while the Fälensee and Sämtisersee lie in the valley between the middle and southern chain. Because of erosion, numerous cracks, caves and sinkholes which prevail in the limestone, two of the three lakes have no surface drainage: the water of the Fälensee flows by the mountain ridge southwest into the Alpine Rhine
The Churfirsten are the mountain range to the south of the Alpstein, while the Kronberg is located north of it. To the west of the Alpstein is the Stockberg, while east of it is the Alpine Rhine Valley.

Transport

There are several cable cars to elevated points in the Alpstein massif, for example:
The valley stations of these cable cars are served by PostAuto buses or have nearby railway stations served by Appenzell Railways.