Niesen funicular railway

Historical railway experience on the Swiss Pyramid

In only half an hour, the funicular takes you to the top of the pyramid-shaped Niesen. Once you reach the summit, it’s enjoyment time. The Niesen Kulm offers wonderful views of Lake Thun and the peaks of the Bernese Oberland.

The Niesenbahn runs daily from end of April to mid-November on the pyramid-shaped Niesen. A 15-minute journey on the historical funicular railway from 1910 takes you from the lower station in Mülenen to the middle station in Schwandegg. The journey from the middle to the summit, Niesen Kulm, takes a further 15 minutes. The red Niesenbahn train is pleasantly quiet as it climbs the mountain and, as you climb, the views of the surrounding Alps and Lake Thun become ever more beautiful. If you would like to hear some interesting stories on the trip, the ascent on the “Gschichtefahrt” (story trip) offers you the opportunity to find out more about Sustainability. There is also a “Gschichtefahrt” for children, with stories about the Fox puppies "Fay and Finn", the magical millstone and the fox who lives on the Niesen.

 
Set alongside the funicular is the longest stairway in the world, with 11'674 steps, which is the location of the famous annual Niesen stair run (walking on the stairs is only permitted on the Niesen stair run). Hikers have the option of buying a hiking ticket, which lets you hike part of the way on foot and take the funicular for the rest of the way.

Your highlights at a glance

• A 30-minute trip to the summit with a 360-degree panorama at 2362 m above sea level
• Easy and quick to get to by public transport
• Large car park at the lower station in Mülenen
• Informative and exciting "Gschichtefahrte" (story trip)
• Many culinary highlights on the mountain
• Exclusive venue for parties and business meetings

To ensure that your trip is perfect in every way, please note

• Plan your journey to the lower station in Mülenen by train or private vehicle
• Arrive by public transport: the base station is next to Mülenen railway station
• Inform yourself in advance about the Niesenbahn’s operating hours and book your ticket online at niesen.ch
• Ensure that you know the time of the last descent if you are not staying at the mountain lodge
• Be sure to pack sunscreen and sunglasses
• Pets allowed during the day (not allowed at night in "Berghaus" rooms)