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10 reasons not to hike the Hardergrat (and 5 amazing trails to do instead!)

If you are considering hiking the infamously dangerous Hardergrat trail, please read this post to better understand the risks and consider alternate hikes that offer similar views.

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The Hardergrat trail near Interlaken Switzerland is considered one the most dangerous trails in the world. It is a physically demanding and technically difficult trail that should only be attempted by experienced mountaineers that accept high risk. Despite that, this trail has become widely popularized on social media and all sorts of casual hikers have added it to their bucket list.

I’m concerned for your safety. After fielding many questions about this trail, I have compiled my advice into the following post. I hope to encourage you to choose other safer, but just as beautiful, Swiss trails. My recommended alternatives are at the end of this post. 

Reasons to consider not hiking the Hardergrat

Even if you disagree with me, please read this list so you are well informed about the risks associated with this trail. 

1. Other Swiss trails are just as (or even more) beautiful

People who write about the Hardergrat trail say things like “the most breathtaking view I’ve ever seen!” I’ve seen dozens of Hardergrat photos and yes, it’s very beautiful.

But there are so many breathtaking views in Switzerland from much safer trails. It is 100% not necessary to do this trail to see a breathtaking view. See my top Hardergrat alternative hikes at the end of this post.

Breathtaking views from the much safer Schynige Platte ridge trail

2. People die on the Hardergrat trail

Switzerland does not widely publish hiking deaths and injuries, but you can find them if you know what you are looking for. This article from the Swiss Alpine Club says that in 2018, 3211 people were rescued and 135 people died in the Swiss alps. In 2020, SAC reported even higher numbers, with 180 dying in the alps.

In 2020, a 20 year old woman died after slipping off the Hardergrat trail. My friend was involved in collecting the body from authorities, contacting the family, and comforting the friends in the tragic hiking group. In 2019, a man fell from the Hardergrat 100m to his death.

Yes, these deaths represent a very small percentage of the total hikers on the trail. But the risk is real.

3. It’s not just about endurance

The Hardergrat is a both a physically demanding and technically difficult trail. I sense that some people think they just need to “tough it out,” that completing this trail is a matter of motivation and pushing themselves a little harder. While I respect that attitude, mental toughness and endurance are not enough on the Hardergrat.

Experience mountaineers can better judge conditions and navigate risky, technical terrain. But anyone can make a mistake or trip on a loose rock or slip on a wet spot. Even professional mountain climbers die, despite all their experience and precautions. Being an experienced hiker does not make you immune to injury. I have friends who did the trail who are extreme risk-taking trail runners, rock climbers, ski tourers. Even these two were shaken by the experience.

Also, remember there are no restaurants or water for about 20 km between Harder Kulm and Brienzer Rothorn. There is also no shade. You must bring all the water you will need for the hike.

Yes, inexperienced hikers have completed with Hardergrat without injury or death. But that doesn’t mean it was a good idea.

4. The Hardergrat not an official trail

Switzerland has 65000 km of waymarked trails. These official trails in Switzerland are marked and maintained by mountain resorts, local communities, Swiss hiking clubs, and 1500+ volunteers, many associated with the Schweizer Wanderwege organization. Many waymarked trails are regularly checked for damage, with volunteers providing live reports of danger and repairing routes.

The Hardergrat is not one of these trails.

Swiss trails are rated on a color scale (yellow, red/white, blue/white). See a description of these categories. Blue/white trails are challenging mountain routes that are exposed, not well marked or structurally improved, often requiring safety equipment. The first 12 km of the Hardergrat trail are rated red/white. A short section after Augstmatthorn is rated blue/white. But the next 8 km in the middle are not even rated on this scale.

FYI, this is an example a red/white trail, well built but still risky. This is at Gelmersee.

5. So far that you have to start before sunrise

Some people underestimate how long this trail will take them and realize too late that their pace is too slow to catch the last train or finish the trail by sunset. 

The trail from Interlaken to Brienzer Rothorn is 24km, gaining about 3000m (depending on which mapping tool you use). Most people report that it takes them about 10-11 hours to complete the trail, assuming minimal breaks. I’m including the trail here for your reference, not as an encouragement to do this trail.

To make the last train down the Brienzer Rothorn at 17:40, you have to get an early start, at least 6am. Many hikers start well before sunrise, sleeping in their cars near the trailhead. This early start means you have to hike up the mountain from Interlaken to the Harder Kulm instead of riding the funicular, which doesn’t open until 9:10.

After reaching the top of Harder Kulm, you need to hike with purpose 20 km across the ridge in order to arrive at Brienzer Rothorn (shown below) by 17:40 to catch the last train down the mountain. If you miss that train, you will need to continue hiking 10 more kilometers to the Brünig pass, where the last train leaves around 22:00 (check current schedule).

Brienzer Rothorn, where the mountain train descends to the valley

Some people do the trail the opposite direction, riding up the first train to Brienzer Rothorn and hiking across to Harder Kulm. This shortens the trail by about 4 km and skips the first big climb.

In summer, this train leaves Brienz at 7:36, taking an hour to reach the top. Best case scenario, this has you arriving at Harder Kulm around 18:00. In summer, the last funicular down from Harder Kulm is 21:40. Please plan your day carefully to avoid hiking in the dark.

Check the Brienzer Rothorn schedule and Harder Kulm schedule

6. Requires perfect weather so your schedule must be flexible

Because of the exposed nature of this trail, it requires dry, clear weather with no threat of rain. It’s also recommended that you wait at least 2 days after rain, so the trail is not slippery.

Switzerland is well known for its volatile weather, with storms forming quickly, especially in the mountains. Weather forecasts are often wrong. If your schedule is fixed, you will need to be quite lucky to have the right weather conditions. We’ve ended up in rain and fog many times on the trail, often without much warning. 

Mistakes were made – Hiking in heavy rain at Ebenalp in unexpected storm

I have heard from people traveling to Switzerland for just a few days and have the Hardergrat planned for a specific day. Not to be unkind, but that kind of planning is naïve. Experienced mountaineers know they must change and cancel plans based on current weather conditions.

Also, this trail absolutely must be free from snow and ice. This means it’s best done from July to mid September. If you are traveling to Switzerland in spring, early summer or fall, do not expect to do this trail. In any case, check conditions carefully as it can snow in the mountains in summer too.

7. Rescue is expensive and risky

If you get hurt on the Hardergrat, you may call for rescue from Rega, the Swiss Air Rescue service. For any hiking in Switzerland, I highly recommend you become a Rega patron. If you require their services, they may waive some or all of their fees for patrons. You should also download the Rega mobile app for offline location tracking and emergency.

The Rega team is full of experienced mountaineers and medical staff that save the lives of many people each year. However, rescue operations can be dangerous for both the Rega staff and injured person, especially in tricky terrain like the Hardergrat. Please consider that your decision may put other people at risk.

Photo by Johann Conus, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

If you require rescue, you may face a very expensive bill for the rescue services. I have first hand reports from two hikers (not on the Hardergrat) that required rescue and were billed several thousand dollars that were not covered by insurance. 

8. More crowded than you think

Some people choose this trail because they want to avoid crowds on less dangerous trails, like the popular Grindelwald Faulhorn trail or Pizol Five Lake trail (shown below). I get it.

Long line of people hiking on the popular Pizol Five Lakes hike

But the Hardergrat is very popular with extreme hikers. Since you should only hike this trail on a clear dry day, when that day comes, these extreme hikers pounce on the opportunity. Switzerland is full of serious, experienced hikers and there is no shortage of risk-takers willing to do this trail. 

By contrast, I’ve done lots of spectacular (and safe!) hikes in Switzerland where we’ve seen literally no one on the trail all day. We choose trails far from the popular tourist regions, certainly not directly above Interlaken, one of the most touristy towns in the whole country. If you want a remote quiet trail, you have many other choices.

9. Blogs and YouTube videos don’t tell the whole story

Maybe you read all the blogs and watched all the videos and think you know what you are getting into. In my experience, blogs and videos are often made for entertainment purposes and gloss over many important details. Your hiking experience, physical fitness and specific hiking conditions may vary widely from these reports. 

There are so many “Top 10 most amazing hikes in Switzerland” lists that irresponsibly include the Hardergrat. In many cases, the authors haven’t done the hike themselves and/or they offer little or no practical information. I would not trust or rely on these types of articles for any of your planning.

Blog reports and videos from actual hikers are thankfully, usually full of risk caveats. But their tone usually implies that if you are tough and cool like them, you can do it too. Please don’t let your ego or bucket list lead to poor decision making.

If you do want a first-hand report, we think this essay by Brendan Leonard is helpful. We also think this video by Wander with Xander accurately shows the level of danger. At about minute 2:05 you see them realize that this “fun” hike is much more serious than they realized. They also have to abandon the trail halfway because their pace was too slow to finish by dark.

10. You are encouraging other people to do this hike

If you blog about this hike or post about it on social media, you are encouraging other people do this trail. Even with your “it’s very dangerous” and “only for experienced hikers” caveats, your words may have a very wide interpretation. Please consider your influence as you post your pretty pics.

I recommend a lot of hikes on this blog, some which have risk. Although I’m not responsible for individual decisions, I understand that my recommendations may influence behavior.

I only write about hikes that I have done myself (with few guest posts from trusted sources). In all cases, I try my best to fully describe any dangers and risk associated with the activities and offer safer alternates. I suggest you do the same.

Trails to do instead of the Hardergrat

1. Mini Hardergrat – Harder Kulm to Augstmatthorn

If you absolutely must hike on the Hardergrat, consider doing the slightly safer section from Harder Kulm to Augstmatthorn. Unlike the full Hardergrat trail, this version is an official Swiss path promoted on the Schweizer Wanderwege website.

This version is still a tough trail at 15km, gaining 1050m, descending 1300m, estimated time 6hrs. But that means you don’t have to start before sunrise, but instead take the first train up the Harder Kulm, skipping the grueling climb in the forest to get to the trail. It also has dangerous ridge sections with steep drop-offs, so this should also be hiked with caution.

See hiking map for Hardergrat – Augstmatthorn to Lombachalp

Photo by Barbara Steinemann, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2. Brienzer Rothorn Ridge Trail

Many Hardergrat hikers end their day at Brienzer Rothorn and don’t continue the fabulous ridge trail that extends east from this point. I suggest starting at Brienzer Rothon and hiking east, with 11km of gorgeous ridge on a safer, official trail.

Looking back on the Brienzer Rothorn trail and Hardergrat in the distance

I love this trail so much and would do again in a heartbeat. You get similar views as the Hardergrat, lots of mountains, the super blue Brienzersee lake below. 

This can also be a dangerous trail, often with steep drop-offs on one side. People die on this trail too (73yr old man in 2019, in 2020 a father fell while his daughter watched). But the trail is very well built and well maintained, most sections with a decently wide path so you aren’t teetering on the edge.

See details for Brienzer Rothorn ridge trail

3. Schynige Platte Ridge Trail

This trail is on the opposite side of the lake from the Hardergrat, also with a view of the Brienzersee lake and Interlaken. The views are just as spectacular as the Hardergrat, but this well maintained trail is suitable for any casual hiker and families.

You can do a 6 km loop from the mountain train station. Or do a longer, more exciting trek from Schynige Platte to Grindelwald First, visiting several mountains along the way.

See details for Schynige Platte ridge trail and longer Faulhorn trek from Grindelwald First

Children hiking on the Scyhnige Platte ridge trail with view of Hardergrat to the left

4. Schäfler ridge near Appenzell

If you need some drama and adrenaline, this exciting trail near Appenzell is a good choice for experienced hikers that don’t have a fear of heights. This trail is definitely risky with steep drop-offs and stern warning signs.

But unlike the Hardergrat, it is a well built trail with cables and stairs, rated red/white. If you bring a safety harness (recommended by the warning signs), you can secure yourself in the most dangerous sections.

See details for Schäfler ridge trail

On the Schäfler ridge trail 

5. Stoos ridge trail – Klingenstock to Fronalpstock

For casual hikers and families that want the same type of drama, I’d suggest the Stoos ridge trail near Lucerne. You start by riding the steepest funicular in the world to a quiet alpine village. Then a chair lift to reach this popular trail that has it all: dramatic ridge, mountain views, bright blue lake, wildflowers.

The main trail is only 4.4 km long, but you can extend this by hiking up and/down the mountain on either side of the ridge (I recommend both!).

See details for Stoos ridge trail

We love the drama of ridge hikes, with steep cliffs and sweeping panorama views. Here are ten of our favorite ridge hikes in Switzerland that we've done as a family.

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4 Responses

  1. This is an excellent article and I am glad you’ve publicized this important message. To often causal hikers bite off more than they can chew and get into tricky and unsafe situations. The safer alternatives in this article are all great suggestions and amazing hikes that I would also recommend. I’ve shared your article on Twitter (@HikingSchweiz) to help spread the word. Thanks again!!

    1. Thanks for sharing our article and supporting safe hiking. It’s not the most popular opinion to advise against hiking certain trails. But if I can help prevent even one accident on the Hardergrat, I feel justified.

  2. Nice list, I totally agree with the ten reasons. For me the reasons to go outweighed the reasons not to go. But it is risky and totally not for everyone. Great article!

    Your link to my video doesn’t work unfortunately .

    Have a great weekend!

    1. Thanks Xander for letting me know that the link was incorrect! I really like your video and I’ve corrected the link. Glad you have had wonderful and safe adventures on the Hardergrat. You have the skills and experience to do it properly, understanding the risk. I appreciate your perspective and hope others will watch your videos so they can also make informed decisions.

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Hi! I’m Tanya and our family has been living & hiking in Switzerland since 2005, collecting dozens of fun hikes and activities for all ages and abilities. More about us…

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