The breathtaking Seealpsee is a picturesque alpine lake located in the Alpstein region of the Swiss canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden. It is situated amidst mountains and beautiful green mountains.
In our opinion this place is a must visit for nature enthusiasts and hikers. This blog post will guide you on how to reach Seealpsee and what to expect during your visit.
How can you get to the Seealpsee?
There are several ways of reaching the Seealpsee, and we will explain them here. If you are travelling by car from the main highways, head towards the village of Wasserauen. Here, you can find a large parking area, this is where we parked our car.
From Wasserauen, the hike to Seealpsee starts! The hike is moderately challenging but the reward is so worth it. The trail is about 3 kilometres long and takes around 1-1.5 hours. This depends on how often you stop, which we recommend to fully enjoy the beautiful views along the route. The elevation gain is around 250 metres.
You can find the route on this website. It can be downloaded as well on the website linked here. This route starts from the train station.
During the hike follow the marked signs pointing to Seealpsee. This path will lead you through the meadows and forests to the stunning views of the lake.
When to visit the Seealpsee?
The great thing of the Seealpsee, is that it’s a whole year round destination. Each season offers a unique experience. We have summarised what every season has to offer below, lets start with summer:
- Summer: The lake is surrounded by beautiful lush greenery and wildflowers are seriously blooming. the water is crystal clear, and your more certain of sunny days. Photos will look even more beautiful during summer time. Because you can swim at Lake Seealpsee, it’s even better to visit during summer season. Temperatures are slightly higher so it’s great to take a refreshing dip after the hike. We loved it, it’s so cold and refreshing.
- Autumn: We love to visit Seealpsee during the Autumn season. The main reason is the vibrant colours of the changing leaves during autumn season. This creates a magical scenery. Also less crowds and lower temperatures make it a comfortable time to visit Seealpsee.
- Winter: This season is something different, it totally changes the landscape. The white blanket of snow, turns the Seelapsee into a winter wonderland. The hike can be more challenging, so proper equipment and shoes are key. Ice and snow create some more harsh environment, but the view is so worth it!
- Spring: The season of the rebirth of nature, greenery is back, flowers start to grow, lovely season to visit Seealpsee, also because the snow starts melting, the waterfall gets bigger and cascade down the mountainsides.
What to expect at Seelalpsee?
When you start your hike from Wasserauen en head upwards to the lake, you will be greeted by the pristine alpine lake, surrounded by immense mountains. The first time we saw it we were speechless. it’s so beautiful. Some of the actives you can do in and near the lake:
- Hiking: besides the 3 kilometre trail we took to reach Seealpsee, you can then continue on the numerous hiking trails. Great to know, all these have different levels and lengths.
- Picnicking: highly recommended to take food and drinks with you in your backpack. The setting here at the lake is ideal spot for a picnic. There are several areas where you can relax and enjoy your meal, so amazing.
- Swimming: if you are visiting the lake during summer, definitely take your swim clothes with you, so refreshing to go for a swim after te hiking.
- Photography: do not forget to charge your batteries, the stunning scenery is perfect for your next instagram post:).
Visit the Seealpkäserei
One of the highlights of our trip was visiting the Seealpkaserei, this a traditional Swiss cheseee diary located near the lake. The cows are driven up the mountain slopes twice a day, so amazing to see. This is a sight you shouldn’t miss.
We heard they make cheese here from 1300. It was a fantastic experience to visit this local diary, seeing the production cycle and met the dedicated people running the place. So nice! Read more about this place here!
What to take with you when visiting the Seealpsee?
Now you know how to reach the Seealpsee it is important to think about what to take with you during a hike to the Seealpsee. Although your equipment might slightly differ depending on the season you visit the waterfall, we will inform you about the essentials you need.
- A proper backpack is a must, to carry your essentials with you and to travel comfortably. This backpack is our favourite, why? Because it has an built in water reservoir (2 liters) and plenty of space with compartments, its so super handy.
- We highly recommend taking an insulated water bottle with you, to be sure to keep your water cold or warm. we love this water bottle. We also just put in coffee for the picnic.
- Because the weather in Switzerland can change rapidly, we advise you to take rain clothing with you, to be sure to stay dry and comfortable during your hike to the Seealpsee. We love Colombia’s rain jackets, they even look fashionable.
- We personally always pack a windproof umbrella. As rain can come rapidly and disappear rapidly as well, it’s nice to stay dry thanks to your umbrella. Check out this windproof umbrella, it’s great!
- Snacks and drinks are a must too.
- Don’t forget your camera, you need it, its just too beautiful not to capture.
One more tip!
If possible, stay the night at the Berggasthaus Seealpsee, it’s so worth it! When all the tourists leave at the end of the day, it becomes such a tranquil and peaceful place. Then you start feeling close to nature. Watching the stars is so wonderful.
Waking up the next morning with the sun poking over the Alpstein mountains was absolutely magical. The peach and quietness remain until the tourists start coming again, so worth it. Checkout more info here!
Conclusion
Seealpsee is a little gem. It offers breathing views and also a variety of outdoor activities. The hike starts in Wasserauen for around 3 kilometres and takes you in around 1.5 hours to the Seealpsee. It is accessible to most visitors.
Each season has its own specialties, whether you visit in summer, autumn, spring or winter, we believe they are all great to visit this place and will leave a lasting impression. Make sure to checkout our recommendations to ensure your visit will be comfortable. We hope you will have a lovely day exploring Seealpsee! If you have any more questions, feel free to leave them below!
