The Kreuzberge is situated in the middle of the Alpsteinkette in a chain of 7 mountains. These summits are numbered from I to VIII from the east to the west. There are over 100 routes for climbing. The most difficult one (7c+) is called "Graue Emminenz", but there are also a lot of easier Routes starting from 2a.

Getting There

Alpstein or Appenzelleland is very easy to reach. It's situated 30 km. below St. Gallen and the Bodensee. Mainvillage is Appenzell (785m.).
From Zürich, wich can be reached by air (Kloten Airport), drive into eastern direction on the 1 / E60 to Winterthur / St. Gallen. From there follow the signs Appenzell, Weissbad and Brüllisau village (922m.). In front of the church and the cablecar booth is a parking place where the route to the Hoher Kasten and the Kamor (1751m.) via Ruhsitz start.
From the Hoher Kasten you can walk on a beautiful ridge with great views to the Saxerlücke (about 2 hours). From there you reach the Roslenalp in antoher half an hour.

From Rofisbach turn left in Rofisbach (community Sax) to Nassel - there you can park your car in the forest (no fees). Then follow the signs to Bollenwees to the Saxerlücke. There you turn left to Roslenalp. (about 2 hours walk) From there you can see the eight summits and reach all of them in 10 to 75 Minutes.

Routes

See Route section for an extensive discription West Ride of K5 by Kletterwebbi.

When To Climb

The best seasons are summer and autumn. In early summer, there might still be some snow on the north face of the mountain.
I recomend the north routes for summertime, when climbing is not possible in other regions because of the heat!
For weather update: current weather in N-E Switzerland
There are no permits required.

Where to stay

In this region there are a lot Berggasthauser where you can rent a room or a place in the so called "matrazenlager", a large room with a lot off beds.
Hundsteinhütte. 071 925 41 31, Fax 071 925 41 47. Open May - Okt.
Roslenalphütte. Open May - Nov. Good place to start climbs to the Säntis, Kreuzberge and the Altmann.
Berggasthaus Bollenwees.
Berggasthaus Ebenalp. tel: 071 799 11 94. Open May-Okt. / Dec-April
Berggasthaus Seealpsee. tel: 071 799 11 40. Open April-Nov.
Berggasthaus Forelle. tel: 071 799 11 88. Open April-Nov.
Berggasthaus Aescher. tel: 071 799 11 42. Open May-Nov.
Berggasthaus Hotel Alpenrose (Wasserauen). tel: 071 799 11 33. Open March-Dec.

Maps and books

Wanderkarte 1: 40000 Säntis - Alpstein

Swiss Maps:
1:25'000 No. 1115 Säntis

Very good climbing guide: (German or French Version available):
Kletterführer Alpstein from Werner Küng
Verlag Schweizer Alpen-Club SAC
ISBN-No. 3-85902-199-0
order at: sac-verlag.
or >dav-service.
For updates look josaentis.

Avalanche info

For avalange info: SLF Gefahrenkarte

External Links

Images