A cute cartoon “Lily the Cow” hosts this fun trail for kids wanders through a beautiful alpine garden at the Schynige Platte mountain. Children visit nine stations in the garden, doing little activities and puzzles at signboards.
At each station, they answer a question and record the answer in the free activity booklet that goes along the trail. After figuring out the code word, they can show it at the restaurant to choose a small prize from the treasure chest.
This trail is a good option for families with small children that aren’t yet ready for the longer panorama trail on the ridge.
| Location: | Jungfrau Region, Berner Oberland Switzerland |
| Address: | Wilderswil train station |
| Car: | Parking near Gewerbeweg 3, 3812 Wilderswil 5 mins from Interlaken, 45 mins from Bern, 1hr30 from Zurich |
| Transit: | Wilderswil, Bahnhof 3 mins from Interlaken, 1hr10 from Bern, 2hr10 from Zurich |
| Trail: | 850 m loop, about 40 mins walking with kids |
| Elevation: | highest elevation 2076m, up/down 120m |
| Condition: | dirt path, no strollers |
| Skill: | easy |
| Open: | July through mid-October |
| Cost 2023: | mountain train return: adult CHF 64 Discount with Swiss travel cards and passes |
| Services: | restaurant and playground at the top |
| More info: | www.jungfrau.ch • webcam • weather |
Location
Schynige Platte is a mountain just south of Interlaken in the Jungfrau Region. It is accessed with a cogwheel mountain train from the Wilderswil train station. See on Google Maps.
Trail overview
The map below shows the flower trail and the activity stations for kids along the trail. The last time we went, kids got a booklet with coloring pages and other activities at the train station or in the Schynige Platte restaurant.
As they solve the puzzles at the 9 stations along the trail, they record the answer in the booklet. The last post is at the Schynige Platte restaurant, where you show the correct solution word in your booklet and can choose a small prize. We hope they still offer this when you visit.
Trail Map
The trail starts just above the Schynige Platte train station. It goes uphill and loops around to the restaurant. The alpine garden is much bigger than just this trail.
When you get to station 3 and 4, you can walk lower down to explore the garden before continuing the loop to the restaurant.
View trail map on Komoot.
How to get there
By car: Drive to Wilderswil. There is a large parking lot a short walk from the Wilderswill train station, see on map. Make sure to pay the meter.
By transit: Take a train to Interlaken Ost, then another short train ride to Wilderswil. At this train station, switch to the vintage cogwheel train.
Ticket prices
In Wilderswil, buy return tickets to Schynige Platte. In 2023, a return ticket from Wilderswil to Schynige Platte: CHF 64/adult, CHF 32/child 6-15, children under 6 free. Kids with SBB Junior cards ride free. See website for current prices and offers.
Free with Jungfrau Travel Pass and Berner Oberland Regional Pass. 50% discount for SBB Half-fare, GA and Swiss Travel Pass.
Operating times
The Schynige Platte cogwheel train runs from July to mid October.
This special cogwheel train leaves on a separate track than the regular trains. The train leaves from Wilderswil every 40 minutes from 07:52 to 16:45. The train ride lasts 52 minutes. The train returns from Schynige Platte every 40 minutes from about 8:21 to 17:53. Check the schedule on SBB.ch to verify the times on the day you go.
Photo Story
In Wilderswil, you board the Schynige Platte cogwheel train. If you can choose, I would sit on the right side of the train.
After about 50 mins, the train drops you off here. There are toilets here and a small kiosk with snacks.
From this drone shot, you can see the flower trail looping above the train station and restaurant.
The flower trail starts just above the train station. At start, you can take pics with the cartoon characters that host this trail. My older kids were generous in posing for me.
There is a small playground at the start of the trail, best for younger kids that like imaginative play.
Trail starts at this first sign for Lily’s Schatzsuche.
These signboards have the puzzles the kids can solve for their booklet. Although they are only in German, they are very easy and pretty obvious even if you don’t understand German.
The trail is easy to follow.
There are fanciful elements along the way.
These bells are so loud, they might hurt your ears.
Definitely take a photo in the frame.
The alpine garden continues below the kids flower loop. So if you want to see more flowers, you can go down there to explore before continuing the loop.
To continue the loop, turn left at the bells and go uphill.
Keep following the signposts.
The trail ends at the restaurant where there is usually a small playground. It has changed a few times over the years, so not sure what will be there when you visit.
There is a fantastic view from the restaurant terrace, a nice place to have lunch.
Or you can picnic at this picnic area with a fire pit below the train station.
