What to expect:

Berggasthaus Seealpsee is one of the most beautiful mountain guesthouses at Seealpsee, located directly by the lake and surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Alpstein region. The huge terrace with lake views, peaceful atmosphere and traditional Swiss mountain charm make it the perfect place to slow down after the hike up.

We especially loved how family-friendly it feels here. There’s a small playground right next to the guesthouse, which makes it a great stop with kids while enjoying the incredible scenery around Seealpsee.

The restaurant serves traditional Swiss and regional Appenzell dishes, and they also offer cozy overnight stays with beautiful lake views.

Here, you can also rent small rowing boats during the summer season to explore the lake from the water, which makes the experience even more magical. Boat rentals are available directly at the restaurant and costs 7 CHF for 30 minutes.

How to get here:

Start in Wasserauen and hike up to Seealpsee. The hike takes around 60 minutes and is doable for families as well.

Around 1.5h drive from Zurich.

The guesthouse is only reachable by foot, which is part of what makes the whole experience so special.

Notes:

The terrace directly at the lake is one of the highlights here, especially during sunrise and sunset.

Rooms are very popular during summer weekends, so reservations are highly recommended if you want to stay overnight.

If you want a quieter atmosphere, staying overnight at the lake is absolutely worth it once the day hikers leave.