Brienzer Rothorn

The Brienzer Rothorn is the highest peak in the canton of Lucerne. It is located on the border of the three cantons of Lucerne, Obwalden and Bern. Because of the 360-degree view of Lake Brienz and an impressive mountain top landscape, the peak is very popular

8 Highlights at Brienzer Rothorn

• A Dampfwürstlibummler is a summer attraction with the rack railroad on the way to the summit of the Brienzer Rothorn.
• You can ride the aerial cable car to meet the sunrise and enjoy it over breakfast at the summit restaurant on the Rothorn.
• In summer, shorter and longer hikes are the focus of activities on the Brienzer Rothorn, in winter skiing.
• The Eisee, situated at 1900 m above sea level, is a popular place for excursions and is suitable for fishing. It has an area of 3.9 ha.
• Experience rides with the nostalgic rack railroad, heater courses or driver's cab rides are offered regularly
• For those who do not like hiking, it is best to take the summit trail from the mountain station (2244 m above sea level) to the summit (2350 m above sea level). It is also called Edelweissweg because more than 250 Edelweiss flowers have been planted here
• The skiing area Sörenberg offers 60 km of slopes, 35 km of cross-country skiing trails and 2 long toboggan runs
• Ibex, chamois and golden eagles can often be observed here.

From Brienz the rack railroad takes about an hour to the Kulm. From Sörenberg the trip with cable car and chair lift takes about 20 min.

At the Brienzer Rothorn, hiking is the main activity. Here you have the choice between easy and short hikes as well as difficult mountain tours.

In winter the united area of Sörenberg-Rothorn and Sörenberg village is a popular skiing area

Sights on the Brienzer Rothorn

Up on the mountain, hiking is on the agenda in the summer and since a large ibex colony lives here, you can very often observe ibexes while doing so.

Fishing and enjoying at Lake Eisee

The Eisee is a natural mountain lake at the foot of the Brienzer Rothorn. It lies at 1900 m above sea level. Guests can eat and spend the night in the nearby Berghaus Eisee during the season.

Fishing at the lake is very popular. Here in the lake swim rainbow and brown trout as well as char. It is possible in summer between the beginning of July and the middle of October and is tied to the purchase of patents, which are sold at Berghaus Eisee or at the valley station of the Brienzer Rothorn cable car. With the patent, up to six fish per day may be caught with one rod. The fish stock in the lake is monitored by the Fischer-Freunde Eisee. At the Berghaus, various fishing utensils are also available for purchase and fishing rods can be rented. Ice fishing is possible in winter

The lake, shimmering in all colors, is a popular recreational destination for nature lovers and families. It lies between mountain flanks and is surrounded by alpine pastures. The bottom station of the chairlift is only a few meters away from the lake.

Adventure rides with the Brienzer Rothorn Railway

The rack railroad to the Brienzer Rothorn is used as a tourist attraction for various adventure rides. These include:

• Dampfwürstlibummler
• Full moon dinner
• Salon Rouge club ride
• Cab ride
• Stoker taster course
• Heater course

The Dampfwürstlibummler is a trip with a coal-fired steam locomotive from Brienz to the mountain station on the Rothorn Kulm. It takes between 100 and 120 min. A break at Planalp includes a Heizerwürstli, rack bread and a non-alcoholic drink. To be able to buy the additional ticket, a normal ticket is required. The trip takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 persons and includes in this form only the ascent.

The Full Moon Dinner is an extra ride on the cog railroad on full moon evenings. After a 3-course dinner, which can be taken in the Berghaus Rothorn Kulm, the ride goes downhill again after 2.5 hours. The trip is carried out from 20 participants.

The Salon Rouge Club Trip is conducted as a public uphill and downhill trip with culinary delights in First Class. It lasts a total of 4.5 hours, takes place on selected days and can be reserved online in advance.

A guide stand tour lets participants experience the oil-fired steam locomotive for half a day. This includes preparation and comprehensive technical and historical information about the locomotive. The highlight is the one-hour ride in the driver's cab from Brienz to Rothorn Kulm. Participants must be at least 18 years old.

A whole day of heating an old steam locomotive with coal, lubricating it and holding water can be done by up to 6 taster heaters at the same time. The steam locomotive dates from 1891-92 and is driven between Brienz and Planalp. Lunch and an aperitif at the handover of the diploma are part of the stoker taster course.

The heater course lasts three days and includes more than just lubricating and heating up the steam locomotive. It also includes operation and maintenance of the locomotive. You will also learn about the history of the locomotive. Minimum age is 18 years.

Ride at sunrise or sunset

On Sundays in July and August, the cable car runs from Sörenberg to the Brienzer Rothorn just in time for sunrise. At 2350 meters above sea level, this mountain is the highest elevation in the canton of Lucerne.

A reservation for the cable car is not necessary. For breakfast in the summit restaurant, a breakfast buffet is prepared on these days. However, the restaurant requires a table reservation here. In case of bad weather, these trips will not be carried out.

• children under the age of six ride the train for free and have breakfast for free
• for groups of 20 people or more, additional cabin rides are available by prior arrangement.

Another special offer of the railroad includes the ride up the Rothorn-Kulm in the afternoon, a welcome drink in the hotel, overnight stay with breakfast and return train ride at a special price. The sunset on the mountain is a special experience. This offer is valid for arrival from Sunday to Thursday and not on holidays.

Cable Cars to Brienzer Rothorn

To get to the valley station of the cogwheel train from Zurich, it takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes via Lucerne. The fastest route is via the A4, A14, A2, and A8 highways, followed by the Brünigstrasse/Route 4 until you reach your destination in Brienz.

Traveling to Brienzer Rothorn by Cogwheel Train

The journey from Brienz on the steam cogwheel train is already an adventure in itself. Additional experiences like first-class dining during the hour-long trip to the top or a stop along the way for steaming sausages and stick bread enhance the touristic appeal of the ride.

The railway line was intentionally not electrified and continues to operate with steam locomotives. Since 1992, more economical oil-fired steam locomotives have been in operation for regular service. The train first opened in 1892 but was out of service from 1914 to 1931. Seat guarantees can be purchased for the mountain trips.

Brienz is situated at an elevation of 566 meters above sea level. On the way up, the train passes four stations:

• 2.1 km Geldried (1019 m above sea level)
• 3.6 km Planalp (1341 m above sea level)
• 5.7 km Oberstaffel (1819 m above sea level)
• 7.6 km Rothorn Kulm (2244 m above sea level)

During the ascent, the cogwheel train climbs a total of 1678 meters with a maximum gradient of 25%. A bridge and six tunnels are traversed along the route, which takes about an hour at a maximum speed of 9 km/h.

Swiss Activities Offer:

• Brienzer Rothorn Train Ticket

Arrival by cable car to the Brienzer Rothorn

From Sörenberg, take the gondola lift to Eisee and from there a four-seater chairlift to Kulm. The Brienzer Rothorn aerial cableway operates from Sörenberg in summer from mid-June to the end of September and in winter from mid-December to the beginning of April.

The valley station can be reached directly by public transport and parking spaces are available for cars. From Lucerne you take the train to Schüpfheim and change there to the post bus to Sörenberg. The cable car takes 10 minutes from Sörenberg to the Rothorn.

A four-seater chairlift runs between Eisee (1900 m above sea level) and the summit of the Rothorn. It was put into operation in December 2017 and overcomes almost 300 meters in altitude over a distance of about one kilometer. With a travel speed of 2.6 m/s, the chairlift needs less than 7 min for the total distance. It operates in the summer season from about the beginning of July to mid-October and in winter from mid-December to early April. Pedestrians are always transported on the hour.

Activities on the Brienzer Rothorn

On the Brienzer Rothorn in the summer is mainly hiking. The shortest tour is at the summit and takes about fifteen minutes. **"The Edelweiss path leads up to the Edelweiss-Bänkli with a view of Lake Brienz"".

In winter, the area around Rothorn and Eisee is a great skiing area, which is also popular with freeride skiers. The cog railroad operates exclusively in the summer months, but in winter the aerial cableway and chairlift are available.

There is a Berghaus on the Brienzer Rothorn, which is only open in summer. The neighboring summit restaurant is always open when the cable cars are running, i.e. also in winter for the cable car from Sörenberg. In the Berghaus Eisee up to 60 guests can find a place to sleep even in winter.

The main activities at the Brienzer Rothorn are:

• Mountain hiking
• Skiing and snowboarding

Mountain Hiking on the Brienzer Rothorn

The Brienzer Rothorn is very popular as a starting point for hikes in summer and early autumn. Very long hikes can be shortened with the (also partial) use of the cogwheel railroad, aerial cableway and/or chairlift.

For this there is the hiking ticket. It has the advantage that you can decide spontaneously about the part of the way you want to hike. For hikes lasting several days, there are inexpensive overnight accommodations (also mountain hikers' mass camps). Red-white marked trails indicate rather difficult mountain hiking trails.

Hikes from the top station (2244 meters above sea level) of the Brienzer Rothorn:

• Turren (4:00 hrs.)
• Harder Kulm (7:30 hrs.)
• Brünig pass (5:00 hrs.)
• Planalp (2:50 hrs.)
• Lättgässli - Chruterenpass - Planalp (2:45 hrs. )
• Edelweiss trail (15 min.)

The Edelweiss trail is an alternative for those who don't want to hike so far: the summit trail from the top station (2244 m above sea level) to the summit (2350 m above sea level) is combined with a panoramic view over Lake Brienz to the mighty Alpine peaks. 250 edelweiss seedlings have been planted along the path. Edelweiss grow best between 1800 and 3000 meters above sea level. Four different varieties were planted, which bloom at different times. In this way, guests should be able to admire the flowering plants for as long as possible.

Hikes from Planalp (1341 meters above sea level), about the middle of the Brienzer Rothorn:

• Brienz (2:30 hrs.)
• Mettli - Brienz (2:00 hrs.)

Two-day Ibex Trek

The two-day tour Ibex Trek is offered as a complete package with train ride, luggage transport and half board in the Berghaus Eisee by the Sörenberg Railways. The tour leads over the Brienzer Rothorn.

The overall medium-difficulty hike begins in Sörenberg with a gondola ride up to Rossweid. From the mountain station, the path to the Brienzer Rothorn leads across mountain meadows to Blattenegg. An ascent leads via the Lättgässli to the ridge of the Brienzer Rothorn.

During the ascent, ibex can often be observed nearby. Once at the top, you can enjoy the panoramic view of Lake Brienz and a sea of mountain peaks. Via the Eisee saddle, the path now descends to the Berghaus Eisee, where you will spend the night.

Facts & Figures Day 1:

• Distance: 7.5 km
• Duration: 3:30 hrs.
• Ascent: 865 vertical meters
• Descent: 377 vertical meters

The next day the trail leads over the Eiseesattel on a narrow path to Arnihaaggen. Via Stellenen, Fontanen, Glaubenbielen and Schwendeli the trail leads back to Sörenberg.

Facts & Figures Day 2:

• Distance: 14.5 km
• Duration: 4:30 hrs.
• Ascent: 391 vertical meters
• Descent: 1187 vertical meters

If you find the two-day tour too difficult, you can also vary the hikes by shortening them by taking the cable car or dividing them into separate days.

Hiking Trail from Turren to Rothorn-Kulm

The hike to Brienzer Rothorn starts with a cable car ride from Lungern up to the Turren mountain. The spacious cabin accommodates up to 41 people and operates from approximately late May to late October and from mid-December to early April.

This hike requires good fitness, as nearly 1000 meters of elevation have to be overcome.

Turren is situated at 1562 m above sea level. A beautiful mountain path leads past the 1764 m high Alp Breitenfeld towards the Schönbüel mountain region at 2011 m above sea level. The trail runs alongside blooming meadows. From here, you can see the Wetterhörner (Wetterhorn 3692 m, Mittelhorn 3704 m, and Rosenhorn 3689 m) clearly.

You can also spot the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau in the southwest, while the Titlis is visible to the southeast. After a break with a panoramic view, the path continues to Brienzer Rothorn. Now, besides the enormous Brienzersee, you can also see the smaller Eisee and the tiny Arniseeli. If you're lucky, you might spot ibexes and chamois along the way. From Brienzer Rothorn, you can take the Brienz-Rothorn-Bahn back to Brienz or the cable car to Sörenberg. Both locations offer good connections to public transport for your onward journey.

Hiking from Brienzer Grat to Harder Kulm

This hike is classified as a very difficult tour. It’s suitable for experienced mountain hikers and follows the Brienzer Grat, constantly offering views of Lake Brienz from Rothorn to Harder Kulm.

The hike starts at Brienzer Rothorn, ideally between June and October. Since there are no trees or shady spots along the ridge, make sure to bring a hat and plenty of sunscreen. Experienced hikers usually bring sturdy hiking boots, weatherproof clothes, drinks, and snacks as essential gear.

The trail leads via signposts to Schongütsch (2320 m), over the ridge to the Lanzizähne (2163 m), through Lättgässli and Chruterepass (2053 m). This is where the ridge walk begins to Briefenhorn (2165 m). Other stages include Wannepass (2071 m), Balmi (2141 m), and the summit of Tannhorn (2221 m). The descent includes Ällgäuhorn (2047 m) and after some steep sections, the Ällgäulücke (1918 m). The final ascent is to Augstmatthorn (2137 m), followed by a gentle descent to Harder Kulm (1322 m), which is easy to navigate.

Numbers & Facts:

• Distance: 20 km
• Duration: 7:30 hrs.
• Difficulty: Very difficult (T5)

This long and partly challenging tour is marked in white-red-white and requires good basic fitness, along with absolute surefootedness and a head for heights. There is an emergency exit via the abandoned Alp Bitschi (1690 m) after the Ällgäulücke.

Skiing and snowboarding on the Brienzer Rothorn

The ski area of Brienzer Rothorn is connected with Eisee via the quad chairlift. The whole ski area is especially popular with freeriders and experienced skiers.

The highest point of the ski area is at 2350 m above sea level and extends down through the Eisee area.

The slope report and the avalanche bulletin are important information for skiing, especially since freeride skiers like to ski in this ski area. Since in case of avalanche danger in the area of marked slopes, they are closed immediately, there is no danger for skiers there. Those who go off the marked slopes must inform themselves about the local and current conditions.

The cable car and chair lift are open in winter from about the beginning of December until April, as is the Berghaus Eisee. For booked overnight stays at the Berghaus, daily ski passes are included in the price. For one night two day ski passes are included, for two nights three ski passes and so on.

The Brienzer Rothorn is also popular with pedestrians in winter. They pay only a small amount for the cable car and are transported every hour on the hour.

Events at the Brienzer Rothorn

One event in winter is the down to one, a ski freeride competition in Sörenberg on the Brienzer Rothorn. The athletes aim to keep up with the rhythm of the cable car for as long as possible. there are 70 seats for the first cabin ride. To be the winner, you have to have ridden the cable car up about ten times that day and freeride down about 1000 meters of altitude each time on skis. However, there are other hurdles in the process. For example, right at the beginning of the trail, you have to go through a 360-meter tunnel. Further down, a bird net jump and a traverse follow. Even more jumps have to be completed before the ride goes back up again

The departure times of the aerial tramway can be changed by the jury at any time to make the competition more difficult.

Winner's ceremony The award ceremony will take place in Sörenberg at the Hotel GO-IN.

Restaurants and mountain hotels on the Brienzer Rothorn

Sleeping accommodations are available in the mountain hotels at the Eisee and at the summit of the Brienzer Rothorn.

Berghaus Rothorn Kulm

A total of 100 sleeping places are available in the Berghaus Rothorn Kulm. Half board is also available on request. In addition to single and double rooms, six-person or eight-person bunk beds are available. 21 sleeping places for mountain walkers are in a house about 50 meters from the mountain house. A culinary offer offers everything from a quick snack to a cozy aperitif to a delicious gourmet menu.

Rothorn summit restaurant

The Gipfel-Restaurant Rothorn offers regional products and organizes events in cooperation with the mountain railroads. These include:

• Candlelight dinner with 4-course surprise menu and live jazz
• New Year's Eve celebration with aperitif, hors d'oeuvre, fondue chinoise (veal, beef, pork, chicken), dessert buffet including return trip on the cable car
• Easter Sunday brunch as buffet
• Fondue Chinoise on other dates with ascent 19:00 hrs and descent: approx. 23:00 hrs

Berghaus Eisee

The Berghaus Eisee is only a few steps away from the chairlift. It stands next to the ski slopes at 1900 m above sea level and is situated between the eastern flank of the Brienzer Rothorn and Arnihaagen. A large sun terrace with lounge and wicker armchairs faces south. Inside there is self-service food and drinks.

Besides seasonal dishes, burgers and fried or smoked fish are offered. 60 sleeping places in eight double and multi-bed rooms (for 4, 6, 8, 10 or 16 persons) are available and already from one overnight stay the Sörenbergcard is included. With it, all open mountain railroads can be used free of charge.

The Berghaus recommends that you bring a sleeping bag and a pair of hut fins (hut shoes) for the overnight stay. For the evening there are board games, a Töggelikasten (table football) and a TV corner available. In summer, the mountain house is also easily reached on foot. If you like, you can prepare your own fish here in the restaurant. Restaurant seats: inside 120, outside 150.

Berghaus Planalp

The Berghaus Planalp is located not far from the middle station of the cogwheel railroad. Right next door is a cozy mountain restaurant with a sun terrace. Lake Brienz can be easily seen from here.

Climate and weather at Brienzer Rothorn

The Brienzer Rothorn reaches 2350 m above sea level. In summer the average daily maximum temperatures are 13 °C, hot days reach about 20 °C

In winter, the average low is between -9 and -14 °C, with very cold days reaching -27 °C

The highest amounts of precipitation fall between December and March, making for a safe snow area. During these months, you must also regularly expect wind gusts that exceed 28 km/h here.

Brienzer Rothorn: Location and Access

The Brienzer Rothorn is part of the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch. It can be reached by cable car from Sörenberg and by cogwheel train from Brienz.

You can find more information about Brienz and the Bernese Oberland here:

• Bernese Oberland
• Brienz

Getting There by Public Transport

Take the SBB train to Schüpfheim station. From there, the post bus on line 241 takes you over Flühli to Sörenberg. You can also get to Brienz easily with the Zentralbahn from Interlaken or Meiringen.

Arrival by car

From Lucerne, take the main road 10 in the direction of Schüpfheim. From Schlüpfheim you continue to Flühli Sörenberg.

From Bern, take the main road 10 via Langnau im Emmental in the direction of Schüpfheim and from there to Flühli Sörenberg. From Basel or Zurich, the A1 and A2 freeways take the Dagmersellen exit via Willisau, Wolhusen, Entlebuch, Schüpfheim to Flühli Sörenberg.

From Giswil you can reach Sörenberg via the Panoramastrasse / Glaubenbielenpass. Please note: The Panoramastrasse is closed in winter.