This mountain hike starts at Iffigenalp, a high alpine valley in the Bernese Oberland, near Lenk im Simmental.
The trail climbs up a rocky slope, wanders thru high alpine meadows with panorama views, and ultimately leads to the peaceful Iffigsee lake, where brave souls can do a cold dip on a hot day.
While not a secret, the remote location and steep hike keep the tourists at bay and the vibe decidedly Swiss.
Keep reading for directions, trail map, and tips for a successful outing.
Quick Info
| Region | Lenk • Bernese Oberland |
| Location: | Iffigenalp |
| By car: | Free parking at Iffigenalp From Bern or Interlaken 1h30, Zürich 3h |
| By public transport: | Lenk, Iffigenalp bus stop From Bern or Interlaken 2h20, Zürich 3h22 |
| Trail: | 4h30 • ⬇️ trail map |
| Distance: | 10.9 km loop (shorter option below) |
| Difficulty: | difficult • +914m -914m |
| Terrain: | T2 • typical mountain trail with uneven rocky terrain |
| Elevation: | highest point 2379m |
| Open: | late June to October |
| Cost: | free |
| Services: | restaurant at start, hut with drinks at lake |
| More info: | Iffigenalp • Lenk region • Lenk region webcams • Lenk weather |
Gallery
These pics of the Iffigsee and Iffigenalp trail are from the third week of July.
Trail Map
This hike is a loop, starting and ending at the Iffigenalp bus stop, parking and restaurant.
See trail map on SchweizMobil • Komoot
Our walking time was 3h45. Total time on trail with breaks 6h.
Hiking direction
We prefer to hike the loop counterclockwise, so we reached the lake later in the hike, after the climb. Also, the first uphill has a tricky section with lots of loose rock that is easier to manage going uphill.
But of course, you can hike in either direction.
Shorter: Up to Lake & Back
Instead of the loop, you can hike directly to the lake, then back the same way.
Short trail: 3h • 8 km there and back • +610m -610m
See trail map for this version on SchweizMobil • Komoot
Trail conditions
The trail is a typical mountain trail (rated T2) with a variety of terrain, including several areas with loose rock and boulders. Important to have sturdy hiking shoes with good tread.
There is one short section across a steep schale slope that was a little tricky to walk on. But no exposed sections or steep drop-offs.
How to get there
This trail is located in Iffigenalp, a high alpine valley near Lenk in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland.
You can reach this trail by bus or car from Lenk im Simmental.
By public transport
Take a train to Lenk im Simmental. Then bus to Iffigenalp, which drops directly at the trail head and restaurant. This bus goes once an hour, so plan your day carefully to avoid a long wait.
Check timetable Lenk train station > Iffigenalp. Travel time 26 mins.
By car
You can drive directly to Iffigenalp (46°24’02.3″N 7°26’31.3″E), with free parking next to the guesthouse and trailhead.
Google maps will tell you that you cannot drive there, but you can. First drive to the Hubelmatte parking (46°24’58.5″N 7°26’18.5″E).
From there, the last part of the road is only wide enough for one vehicle, no passing zones. So you can only drive in one direction during these time windows:
- xx:30 – xx:45 : direction Iffigenalp > Hubelmatte (Lenk)
- xx:00 – xx:15 : direction Hubelmatte (Lenk) > Iffigenalp
There can be a line of cars waiting for their time to drive. Make sure not to block traffic as you wait. A farmer stopped to give us a stern lecture that our car was blocking the road to their farm. We immediately complied but they were annoyed.
The one-lane road is semi-paved, cliffs to one side (with barrier), deep ruts. If you prefer not to drive on the one-lane road, just park at Lenk im Simmental train station and take the bus to Lenk, Iffigenalp as described above.
At Iffigenalp, there is one parking lot for general parking and another parking lot for hotel guests. As of 2026, no charge for parking.
Costs
This hike does not require mountain transport. So the only costs are bus fare or gas to reach the trailhead.
If you are staying in the Lenk area, you’ll get the Simmental Card, which covers the bus.
Planning your day
When to go
The trails in the Iffigenalp area are usually open for summer hiking from late June to mid October.
Check SchweizMobil for possible trail closures.
Where to eat
Best to bring a picnic on this trail, as the only restaurant is at the start of the loop, the Iffigenalp guesthouse. They have a full service restaurant open all day. We bought sandwiches there to eat on the trail.
Near the start of the trail, you’ll pass an alpine dairy that has a self-service fridge with drinks, cheese, and dried meats.
At the lake, you’ll find the “Seebeizli” hut, where you can buy drinks (cash only) from the farmer. No food.
No water on the trail. I would bring 2L water/person and food to sustain you through the hike.
What to wear & bring
This mountain train is best done with sturdy hiking shoes with good tread. Hiking sticks are very helpful for the up and downhill switchbacks which have a lot of loose rock.
Make sure to check the weather and dress appropriately. Bring a swimsuit if you want to dip in the lake.
Where to stay
We stayed at adorable Berghaus Iffigenalp, right at the start of the trail. It was nice to finish the hike and go directly to our room to clean up and rest with a view.
We had a private family room, which was clean and comfortable by mountain hotel standards. I can’t say I slept amazing, but it was a fun experience.
If you spend a weekend, it would be more convenient to stay in nearby Lenk, just 26 mins by bus. On your second day, do the Seven Springs trail to the Simmen falls.
Near the Lenk train station, Gasthof Tenne is comfortable and good value, with family rooms. Or treat yourself to the Lenkerhof gourmet spa resort!
For a longer stay in the region, better to be a bit more central, a little closer to Gstaad. If you are driving, we really like HUUS Gstaad Hotel, family-friendly, great restaurant, fantastic views. By train, we’d suggest Hotel Landhaus in Sarnen or the boutique hotel Miiro the Mansard in Gstaad.
Hut-to-Hut options
If you want an adventure, you can definitely do a multi-night hike in this area. Iffigenalp has trails leading to mountain huts in a few directions. It’s also part of the Tour du Wildhorn, a 4 stage circular route.
Hiking westwards, you could hike from Iffigenalp to the lake, then a bit further to the Wilderhorn hut. Next day hike to the Gelten hut, where you can sleep. Or just have lunch before continuing down to the Lauenensee lake, where you can catch a bus to the Gstaad train station.
Or stay overnight at Iffigenalp. Then next day hike eastwards on the Seven Springs trail to the Simmen falls. At the end of this trail, you can catch a bus to Lenk. Or keep hiking east to the Ammerten hut, continuing the next day to Engstligenalp.
Photo story of trail
Driving to Iffigenalp
We came by car, driving to Hubelmatte which you see below. We arrived at 9:15 and there were about 12 cars waiting. At 9:30, we started on the one-lane road, following the other cars.
Below you can see the one-lane road from Hubelmatte to Iffigenalp. The road quality was ok, but a little rutted in parts.
When you arrive in Iffigenalp, there is a large parking lot just before you reach the restaurant. There is a separate lot for hotel guests.
The bus drops at the restaurant.
The restaurant is open all day. You can have coffee and snacks before your hike.
Starting the hike
We followed Route 315 Iffigensee Rundweg. We hiked first to Iffighore, the highest point of the trail. Then down to the lake before completing the loop.
The trail starts easy through these meadows.
After about 30 mins, you pass this alpine dairy.
They have a self-service fridge with cheese and drinks. Cash or TWINT.
Fork right and climb up the mountain
Next to the alpine dairy, the trail splits. Fork left to go directly to the lake, following signs to Iffigsee. We forked right, following signs to Iffighore. Now it gets quite steep up a rocky slope.
I was very glad to be hiking up this rocky part. We saw three people slip and trip (no injuries) as they came down this part.
Looks a little sketchy in this photo, but it didn’t feel particularly dangerous.
I was glad to have some tree shade as we did the climb on a hot day.
Leveling out
After the first steep climb, it levels out a bit and rambles through meadows.
Keep following signs for 315, direction Iffighore.
It’s still uphill, but more gradual.
We saw a lot of Edelweiss flowers on this part!!!
Nice panorama views across the Simmental region.
Looking back towards Lenk.
Traversing the mountain.
Lots of flowers around the rocky parts.
Very dramatic landscape!
First view of lake & viewpoint
A bit before you reach the highest point, the lake is suddenly visible, a bright turquoise color as seen from up here.
Last push to the Iffighore viewpoint.
Here’s the sign at the highest point. We had a short snack break here. Now follow signs to Iffigsee.
Hike down to lake
You start down through these grassy slopes. Loved this part!!!
It’s all downhill from here, about 30 mins from the viewpoint down to the lake.
If you want to visit the Wildhorn hut, you can fork at this sign before you reach the lake. Cows are grazing this area, so be careful, especially if there are babies.
There are lots of right on the lakeshore for lounging. You can walk all around the lake if you want. We stayed on the meadow side.
There were a few people fishing at the rocky bit here. You need a license.
A couple people were getting in the water here. On a sunnier day, I suppose more people would be doing it.
Drinks at Seebeizli
When you reach the lake, you’ll see signs for Seebeizli, the hut you see in this photo.
It’s not a proper cafe, just a friendly farmer selling drinks. He offered us Radler and homemade iced tea – we were almost out of water so very happy to stop here. Pay in cash.
Hiking down to Iffigenalp
Last look at the lake before we head down.
Passing through a rocky area.
A few waterfalls in view as we descend.
More cows to greet us.
Now it gets steep and rocky. Lots of loose rock here that made the trail slippery. Sticks are helpful here.
Looking back up the trail.
After about 45 mins, you reach the valley floor and it’s easy walking back to Iffigenalp for another 30 mins.
Trail ends at the Iffigenalp restaurant. They are open all day if you want to get a meal after the hike.
The bus picks up here, departing hourly on the xx:00. Last bus at 17:00. Check schedule.
Overnight at Iffigenalp
After the hike, we stayed overnight at Iffigenalp. Above the restaurant, they have dorm rooms. In this separate building, they have private rooms for 2-4 people.
We had the family room with four beds. Linens are provided. There is a shared bathroom on each floor and two showers.
Some rooms are accessed by a shared balcony with chairs and benches for lounging. There is also a garden with lounge chairs, trampoline, and kids play area.
Their restaurant is open for dinner, serving typical Swiss mountain food. Hotel guests can optionally book the breakfast buffet, which was generous.
