Niederhorn – Flösch – Vorsass – Bodenalp – Riedboden – Beatenberg station
2 hours (1 hour to Vorsass)
Starting point: Niederhorn station
Finishing point: Beatenberg station
Hiking time: 2 hours (1 hour to Vorsass)
Distance: 5.3km
Difference in altitude: 840m
Best time of year: All year round
”Elevation profile”
This is the most popular hiking trail on the Niederhorn. The start of the hike runs above the tree line with clear views on to the Lake Thun and the world famous Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. With some luck you can spot eagles, bearded vultures, mountain goats and ibex.
We recommend a 5 min detour right at the start from the station past the Berghaus and up to the viewing platform for a wonderful panoramic view over Lake Thun, the alps and the Justistal. Later on the trail leads through some trees where with some luck you can spot eagles, mountain goats or even deers. This is followed by a steep S-curve. Before the alp Flösch comes into view, a trail turns off eastwards direction Häliloch-Oberburgfeld. If you are interested in upland moors follow the path for 5 minutes until you reach the Flösch-Lake in the midst of the moor. From alp Flösch the trail leads through thin forest and after a few minutes you can see the restaurant Vorsass. From there the trail zigzags on through forest and alpine pastures in the direction of Bodenalp. Soon you can see the first houses of Beatenberg, the longest village in Europe.
Niederhorn – Burgfeldstand – Gemmenalphorn – Seefeld Oberberg – Justistal – Grön – Beatenberg station
5 hours 30 min
Starting point: Niederhorn station
Finishing point: Beatenberg station
Hiking time: 5 hours 30 min (1 hour 30 min to Gemmenalphorn)
Distance: 15.8km
Difference in altitude: 1369m
Level of difficulty: Challenging
Best time of year: Late spring, summer and autumn
”Elevation profile”
The hiking trail Niederhorn to Gemmenalphorn received a gold medal for the most beautiful hiking trail in Switzerland.
The view of the Lake is best when you hike from the station past the Berghaus along the ridge upwards. This short detour takes 5 minutes and is worth it as it offers splendid views of the lake from Spiez all the way to Thun, which is not possible anymore further on.
The largest part of the hike runs above the tree line and gives a stunning panoramic view on Lake Thun and the «big 3» Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Up to the lake the trail is flat and is easily accomplished, even if you are not the fittest hiker. Burgfeldstand is the highest point of the hike. Between May and June you will find lots of flowers here: crocus, edelweiss, “Pelzanemone” – just to name a few. Of course there will be animals too, eagles, mountain goats, ibex and snow grouse. If you are interested in karst landscapes you should leave the marked trail (between Laubenegg and Seefeld Oberberg) past the huts and after 15 minutes you will see the karst fields. A steep path will lead you down to the Justistal where you can get some refreshment at a hut. You can ask the farmer if you can watch him making cheese. The Justistal is populated by cows and around 150 to 200 deers. From mid August you can hear the deer. Most of the trail now runs along the stream through alpine pastures until Grön. From Büffelboden you will carry on on paved roads for 1.5 hrs direction Grön and Beatenberg station through some impressive rock tunnels and into the village.
Niederhorn – Burgfeldstand – Gemmenalphorn – Habkern
3 hours 45 min
Starting point: Niederhorn station
Finishing point: Habkern
Hiking time: 3 hours 45 min (1 hour 30 min to Gemmenalphorn)
Distance: 10.7km
Difference in altitude: 1200m
Best time of year: Late spring, summer and autumn
”Elevation profile”
The hiking trail Niederhorn to Gemmenalphorn received a gold medal for the most beautiful hiking trail in Switzerland.
The view of the Lake is best when you hike from the station past the Berghaus along the ridge upwards. This short detour takes 5 minutes and is worth it as it offers splendid views of the lake from Spiez all the way to Thun, which is not possible anymore further on.
After around 15 minutes you will reach the Hohseil-Lake where you can spot salamander and enjoy the mountains reflecting on the surface. Until here the trail is flat and easy, then it starts to climb up to Burgfeldstand (highest point of the hike) where you have wonderful panoramic views. Eagles and bearded vultures circle here and you will meet mountain goats or deer further down. From Burgfeldstand to Gemmenalphorn is ibex and snow grouse country. Between May and June you will find lots of flowers here: crocus, edelweiss, männertreu—please don’t touch them, they are protected mountain flowers. On the Gemmenalphorn you have a clear view on to the Sieben Hengste, the Hogant and of the Seefeld region. Now it ‘s a steep descent to Seefeld Oberberg past the karst area – if you are interested leave the marked path and go east along the huts to the karst fields (15 min each way). Afterwards the trail will lead you through the alpine pastures of Schwendli and Chromatte into the shady forest. Coming out of the forest you will see the first settlements of Habkern. In the village you can get something to eat and catch the bus back to Interlaken.
Niederhorn – Oberburgfeld – Oberberg – Waldegg
3 hours
Starting point: Niederhorn station
Finishing point: Beatenberg Waldegg
Hiking time: 3 hours
Distance: 8.6km
Difference in altitude: 880m
Best time of year: Spring, summer and autumn
”Elevation profile”
Suitable shoes and binoculars to watch the marmots – that’s what we highly recommend on this trail. In summer, with previous agreement, it’s possible to watch the farmer making cheese on the Gemmenalp.
You will find the best view if you hike from the station past the Berghaus along the ridge upwards. This short detour takes 5 minutes and is worth it as it offers splendid views of the lake from Spiez all the way to Thun, which is not possible anymore further on. You get a clear view over Lake Thun and the world famous Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
After around 15 minutes you will reach the Hohseil-Lake where you can spot salamander and enjoy the mountains reflecting on the surface. Until here the trail is flat and easy. From afar you can see the huts on the Oberburgfeld – from July to August there are sometimes simple refreshments available and you can watch the farmer making cheese. Hike in the direction of Gemmenalp Oberberg, where his hut is. Just before the huts on the slope you can watch marmots play. Now the trail takes you downwards across alpine pastures to Waldegg. From Chüematte you are hiking trough forest until Hohwald, where you once again have views onto the alps. The last part takes you into Waldegg, a part of Beatenberg, where you find restaurants, hotels and a bus to the mountain railway or directly to Interlaken. Or you can hike the rest of the trail to the station (45 minutes).
Niederhorn – Haberelegi – Beatenberg station
2 hours
Starting point: Niederhorn station
Finishing point: Beatenberg station
Hiking time: 2 hours
Distance: 4.2km
Difference in altitude: 830m
Best time of year: Spring, summer and autumn
”Elevation profile”
The view of the lake is best when you hike from the station past the Berghaus along the ridge upwards. This short detour takes 5 minutes and is worth it as it offers splendid views of the lake from Spiez all the way to Thun, which is not possible anymore further on.
This hiking trail is comparably steep, only the highest part of the trail is clear, the rest leads through forest but the shade and the soft ground compensate for the lack of views. If you have a rest on a bench and get your picnic out you might get surrounded by birds (Bergdohlen) trying to steal your food out of your hands. If you’re lucky you spot an eagle or bearded vulture, meet mountain goats or foxes or deer. Along the trail are coal mines, these are best visited with a guide. More information about this you find here. The last part of the hike is on the paved road leading into Beatenberg village.
Niederhorn – Oberburgfeld – Unterburgfeld – Spirenwald
2 hours 30 min
Starting point: Niederhorn station
Finishing point: Beatenberg Spirenwald
Hiking time: 2 hours 30 min
Distance: 5.6km
Difference in altitude: 830m
Best time of year: Spring, summer and autumn
”Elevation profile”
Already from afar you can see the huts on the Oberburgfeld. In May you find enchanting krokus fields along the way and maybe you hear the song of the rare cuckoo.
You will find the best view if you hike from the station past the Berghaus along the ridge upwards. This short detour takes 5 minutes and is worth it as it offers splendid views of the lake from Spiez all the way to Thun, which is not possible anymore further on. You get a clear view over Lake Thun and the world famous Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
After around 15 minutes you will reach the Hohseil-Lake where you can spot salamander and enjoy the mountains reflecting on the water surface. From afar you can see the huts on the Oberburgfeld – simple refreshments are sometimes available from July to August and you can watch the farmer making cheese. Eagles and bearded vultures are circling in the sky, fauna and flora are abundant here. In May and June you can hear the song of the rare cuckoo. The trail now leads down to alp Unterburgfeld, past gentian fields (please don’t touch them, they are protected flowers) and the village of Waldegg, part of the Lake Thun and Interlaken all the way up to Wilderswil come into view. The relatively steep trail leads down through the forest. People without fear of heights can take a 45 minute detour to Birenfluh where you have fantastic views over Beatenberg. Past the forest you can already see Waldegg and Spirenwald with several restaurants. From Spirenwald you can take the bus back to the station or directly to Interlaken or you walk the last 30 minutes to Beatenberg station.
1 Niederhorn – Flösch – Vorsass – Bodenalp – Riedboden – Beatenberg Station