This trail starts at the top of Mt Niesen at 2362m, reached by a series of two steep funicular trains. After enjoying panorama views at the top, you start hiking along a dramatic ridge, then wind through alpine meadows down the to the middle station, where you can catch the funicular down the rest of the way.
It’s a mountain trail that requires good shoes and steady footing, but it’s not particularly dangerous, suitable for average hikers and children with hiking experience.
Contents
| Location: | Berner Oberland Switzerland |
| Address: | Niesen funicular: Heustrichstrasse 12, 3711 Mülenen CH |
| Car: | Parking adjacent to funicular (46°38’23.4″N 7°41’26.0″E) 25 mins from Interlaken, 1hr40 from Zurich |
| Train: | Closest train station: Mülenen 50 mins from Interlaken, 1hr50 from Zurich HB |
| Trail: | 5 km, about 2 hrs |
| Condition: | mountain trail, no strollers |
| Difficulty: | moderate |
| Open: | about late May to mid October, check conditions |
| Prices 2024: | Hiking ticket: CHF 48/adult SBB Halbtax and Junior Card accepted Included in Berner Oberland Regional Pass. |
| Services: | restaurant, playground |
| More info: | www.niesen.ch |
Trail overview
Here is the hiking map for the Niesen area. The trail starts at the top of Niesen and ends at the Schwandegg middle station. We did this hike when our children were 9 and 13.
Hiking map
Here is the hiking map. The path is 5km, descending about 700m along a narrow dirt mountain trail. Not suitable for strollers. There is a restaurant at the top but no services along the way.
View interactive map, print map and download GPX on Komoot • SchweizMobil • OutdoorActive
Here’s another hiking map I found on the Niesen site.
How to get there
Mt Niesen is a mountain just west of Interlaken in the Berner Oberland region . The hike is accessed with a series of two funicular trains.
By car: Drive to Heustrichstrasse 12, 3711 Mülenen CH and park in the lot next to the funicular station.
By transit: Take a train/bus to Mülenen, Bahnhof. The funicular is a short walk from the bus stop.
Planning your day
Operating Times
The funicular runs from mid April through early November. But the trail is not necessarily open in early spring or late fall, so check trail conditions and webcams and perhaps call before heading out.
The funicular runs every 30 mins starting at 8:00. The last ride down from the top at Niesen is 17:45, from the middle station Schwandegg at 18:00. But check the current operating times to be sure.
Ticket prices
For this trail, you can buy the “hiking ticket”, which is less expensive than the return ticket to the top.
In 2024, this costs CHF 48/adult. Discounts with Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Half Fare, and SBB GA. Free with Berner Oberland Regional Pass.
Photo story
Riding to the top of Niesen
Here’s the funicular leaving the valley station.
You’ll take two funiculars, changing over at the middle station. Here’s the track for the second one.
At the top, follow the short paved trail to the restaurant and farther up to the playground and observation terrace.
Lots of big views as you wander around the top. There is a short gravel path up to an observation area surrounded by a fence.
Starting the trail to Schwandegg middle station
The trail starts behind the restaurant, along the ridge. It’s a narrow, rocky path, not super difficult but not suitable for very little kids. Definitely no strollers.
Now I’ll just show a bunch of pretty pictures of the trail. We did this hike the first weekend of November and it had snowed just a couple days before. So it has an autumn look.
