The Aescher Wildkirchli is one of Switzerland's most iconic mountain restaurants – and one of its best-known photographs: the guesthouse clings beneath a vast rocky overhang on the sheer cliff of the Ebenalp massif, apparently floating above the valley. The building was constructed in the 19th century inside a natural rock cave and is the destination of one of the most classic hikes in the Appenzell region.

The Wildkirchli cave immediately beside the guesthouse is one of Switzerland's most significant Palaeolithic sites – bones of cave bears and Stone Age humans were found here. The approach is either via the cable car to Ebenalp and then on foot in around 15 minutes, or directly via the steeper hiking trail from Wasserauen. The guesthouse is open from April to November and very popular.

The Aescher is reachable by cable car to Ebenalp from Wasserauen, then on foot in around 15 minutes. Wasserauen is accessible by Appenzellerbahn from Appenzell in around 10 minutes. Parking is available in Wasserauen. Cable car tickets: ebenalp.ch