34.3
PDI
8.1 mi
DISTANCE
4,167 ft
GAINED
9.9 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
INTRO
Rühti - Hoher Kasten climbs 8.1 miles and 4,167 feet from Rüthi, in the Rhine Valley, to Oberkamor, on the ridge just below the Kamor and Hoher Kasten summits, at 5,587 feet (1,703 m). The average grade is a serious 9.9%, with the steepest quarter-mile hitting 16.3% and the steepest 100 yards spiking to 17.9%.
The road itself has a genuinely unusual origin - the Swiss Army built it after World War II to service a radio listening post on the Kamor, and it's still commonly called the Militärstrasse. Cars can drive as far as Brunnenberg, where a barrier blocks motor traffic; cyclists can continue on past it up through Alp Sox toward the ridge. The road is paved nearly the entire way, ending just short of the true summit.
From the ridge, the views open up across the Appenzell region and Lake Constance beyond - among the best payoffs for effort of any climb in the area.
Hoher Kasten itself, with its well-known revolving restaurant, is more commonly reached by cable car from Brülisau on the opposite side of the mountain; this route up from Rüthi is the quieter, harder, road-bike way to the same ridge.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route. Rühti - Hoher Kasten averages 9.9% over 8.1 miles, gaining 4,167 feet from Rüthi (1,420 ft) to Oberkamor (5,587 ft). There's no easing off on this one - the steepest mile averages 12.4%, the steepest half-mile 13.4%, the steepest quarter-mile 16.3%, and the steepest 100 yards spikes to 17.9%. This is a consistently hard climb from the base rather than one with a single brutal section, so pace it conservatively from the start.
Roadway: The road is paved for nearly the entire climb, built originally by the Swiss Army after World War II to service a radio listening post on the Kamor - it's still known locally as the Militärstrasse. A barrier at Brunnenberg blocks motor vehicles beyond that point, but the road continues on past it to Oberkamor for cyclists and hikers.
Traffic: Traffic is light throughout, and drops to essentially nothing past the Brunnenberg barrier, since cars can't continue beyond it. The lower section through Rüthi and up toward Brunnenberg sees occasional local and hiking traffic.
Parking: There's a free parking lot at Brunnenberg, just before the barrier, if you'd rather warm up in the car and ride the steepest, quietest upper section. Riders doing the full climb from the valley floor can find informal parking near the town center in Rüthi.
This is a genuinely steep climb from the base - bring the lowest gearing you have. The average is 9.9%, but with stretches over 16% and no real recovery sections, a compact or triple with a wide-range cassette makes a real difference. There's little in the way of services above Rüthi, so carry all the water and food you'll need for the full 8.1 miles.
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
Rüthi is a small Rhine Valley town with a handful of solid options for a pre- or post-ride meal, including the Hirschen and Rüthihof restaurants in the town center.
A genuine sibling climb, Oberriet - Hoher Kasten, reaches the same summit ridge from a neighboring Rhine Valley town a few kilometers north - worth pairing if you want to compare the two approaches, once it's been more fully built out.
The best window is late spring through early autumn; the upper switchbacks and the Brunnenberg barrier area can hold snow into May most years. Check conditions at the top before you commit to the climb with our Weather tool.
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