Alpstein

Alpstein
A view of the Alpstein from the south.
Highest point
Peak	Säntis
Geography
Alpstein Show map of Alps Alpstein Show map of Switzerland
Country	Switzerland
Regions	Appenzell Ausserrhoden Appenzell Innerrhoden St. Gallen
Geology
Orogeny	Tertiary
Rock age	Mesozoic
Rock type	Sedimentary

The Alpstein are a subgroup of the Appenzell Alps in Switzerland. The Alpstein massif extends across the cantons of Appenzell Innerrhoden, Appenzell Ausserrhoden and St. Gallen.

View from Säntis to Girenspitz (2,448 m (8,031 ft))

Despite it being rather low when compared to other Alpine peaks – the highest mountain is the Säntis at 2,502 metres (8,209 ft) – the Alpstein, due to their northern "outpost" position only a short distance from Lake Constance (nearly 30 km (19 mi) away) are relatively tall when compared to the surrounding area. The range also includes the Altenalp Türm as the northernmost summit above 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) in Switzerland.

Description

Geologically, the Alpstein massif is different from the predominantly granitic central Alps. Alpstein are predominantly limestone massif and thus represents a kind of western continuation of the eastern ranges, running between Germany and Austria.

Because of erosion, numerous cracks, caves and sinkholes which prevail in the limestone, two of the three lakes have no surface drainage: the water of the Fälensee flows by the mountain ridge southwest into the Rhine.

Morphologically, there are three main tectonic folds running from southwest to northeast. Only the Lisengrat, the connection between the two peaks of Säntis and Altmann runs perpendicular to the main ridge.

See also

• Ebenalp
• Schwägalp Pass

External links

• Media related to Alpstein at Wikimedia Commons
• Interactive spherical panorama tour through the Alpstein

47°15′N9°20′E / 47.250°N 9.333°E / 47.250; 9.333