9 Highlights Niederhorn
From Niederhorn, you get a spectacular view of Lake Thun and the surrounding Bernese Alps, including Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.
Niederhorn offers a variety of hiking trails suitable for both beginners and experienced hikers. The panorama trail is particularly popular.
Niederhorn is known for its wildlife. You can observe ibex, chamois, golden eagles, and marmots in their natural habitat.
The modern gondola takes visitors comfortably from Beatenberg up to Niederhorn. It connects to the funicular that travels from Beatenbucht to Beatenberg.
With the Trottibike, you can easily ride from the middle station down to the valley station.
Niederhorn is a popular launch site for paragliders, who can enjoy impressive flights over Lake Thun and the Bernese Oberland from here.
In winter, Niederhorn transforms into a small ski area. It's ideal for families and beginners, with slopes and a snow park.
A long sledding track runs from Niederhorn down to Beatenberg.
Niederhorn offers numerous activities for families, including adventure trails, playgrounds, and special offerings like llama trekking.
Hiking and Wildlife Watching at Niederhorn
At Niederhorn, you can go hiking while enjoying the beauty of nature. Up here, it’s a great spot to observe animals in their natural habitat.
You might catch sight of marmots waking up from hibernation in spring, or a pair of golden eagles soaring in the sky. However, Niederhorn is particularly well known for its ibexes, which are easy to spot here.
From late September to about mid-October, you can distinctly hear the roaring of the stags from Niederhorn. During this time, the red deer gather in the Justistal, north of Niederhorn.
Here are some selected hikes that start from the Niederhorn mountain station.
| Route | Duration (hrs) | Length (km) | Elevation Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Niederhorn – Flösch – Vorsass – Bodenalp – Riedboden – Beatenberg Station | 2:00 | 5.3 | 840↑ |
| Niederhorn – Burgfeldstand – Gemmenalphorn – Habkern | 3:45 | 10.7 | 1200↑ |
| Niederhorn – Oberburgfeld – Oberberg – Waldegg | 3:00 | 8.6 | 880↑ |
| Niederhorn – Burgfeldstand – Gemmenalphorn – Seefeld Oberberg – Justistal – Grön – Beatenberg Station | 5:30 | 15.8 | 1360↑ |
Adventure Trails and Alpine Playground at Niederhorn
The adventure trails at Niederhorn are perfect for families looking for a mix of nature experiences and kid-friendly activities. The area around Niederhorn is, by the way, a nature reserve.
Ridge Trail
The Ridge Trail at Niederhorn runs along a well-secured path. It offers views both into the distance and down into the Justistal valley. The trail goes over steeply dropping rocks.
You can easily spot Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau in the panoramic view. You’ll also recognize the Blüemlisalp massif, the Niesen, and other mountains. To make this easier, there are information boards set up at intervals, providing details about the flora and fauna of Niederhorn.
The 600 m circular path winds around the Niederhorn mountain house and along the ridge of Niederhorn. A special highlight of the Ridge Trail is a rock bridge. The route, which takes about 30-40 minutes to walk, has lookout platforms and benches along the way. It's also stroller-friendly, as part of it is paved. Wildlife passages help chamois and ibexes move through their usual routes.
Other Alpine Orienteering Courses
The Alpine orienteering courses at Niederhorn combine orienteering with breathtaking alpine landscapes. With the help of a map and compass, participants must find various checkpoints in nature. The orienteering course at Niederhorn integrates this classic activity into a stunning alpine backdrop.
You can get maps, information, and stamp cards at the mountain station on Niederhorn. The maps highlight checkpoints scattered throughout the Niederhorn area. The goal is to find these points in the correct order, choosing the best route for yourself. The course leads through alpine terrain, making the adventure even more exciting. The length and difficulty of the routes can vary, ensuring a suitable challenge for both beginners and experienced orienteers. The easiest route is the Ridge Trail.
The four orienteering courses are:
- Rocky’s Path - warm up (Ridge Trail)
- Happy’s Path - easy (just right for the little ones; from the mountain station Niederhorn to the mid station Vorsass)
- Yummy’s Path - medium (for young adventurers who are comfortable in the terrain; from the mountain station Niederhorn to the mid station Vorsass)
- Lenny’s Path - hard (requires specialists in the terrain; from the mountain station Niederhorn to the mid station Vorsass)
The aim of the Alpine orienteering is to enhance both your physical fitness and mental skills as you navigate through the alpine landscape.
Alpine Playground with Balance Trail and Wobbly Bridge
The alpine playground at Niederhorn is a major draw for families. It’s located at Vorsass and offers a variety of play options surrounded by alpine nature. There are wooden play structures, climbing frames, slides, and swings integrated into the landscape. Kids can play there while parents enjoy the view or relax in a nearby mountain hut. The playground is designed for children to discover and experience nature in a playful way. The alpine playground is easily accessible via the Niederhornbahn.
Trottibike Riding
You can ride the trottibike downhill from the middle station at Vorsass to Beatenberg Station. You can conveniently rent a trottibike at the middle station. Just return it at Beatenberg Station by 6 PM.
On this route, you can choose between two paths:
- Rocky’s Run: fast and direct route to the goal
- Happy’s Trail: a leisurely route with plenty of views
More Activities at Niederhorn
At Niederhorn, you'll find several barbecue spots for cozy moments and a variety of activities you can enjoy:
Heartbeat Trail (2.7 km) from the Beatenberg station to the Beatenbucht
Paragliding and hang gliding at Niederhorn (Güggisgrat)
Trail running at Niederhorn (you can shower at the Berghaus Niederhorn)
A huge wooden ball track for playing
The two barbecue spots near Flösch have wood provided by the Niederhornbahn.
For families, the first Saturdays from May to October are particularly exciting: on these days, kids up to 16 travel for free on the cable car, and one of the Rocky Days takes place at Niederhorn. The cheeky ibex "Rocky" is waiting for you at Niederhorn. If you discover the Alpine-OL "Rocky's Path," each child will receive a small award presented personally by Rocky.
Getting to Niederhorn
Getting to Niederhorn is easy whether you’re driving or taking public transport.
Driving to Niederhorn
If you're driving from Thun or Interlaken, follow the main road along Lake Thun, heading towards Beatenberg. The road is well-maintained but can be winding as it goes uphill.
There are parking spaces available directly at the valley station of the Niederhorn cable car in Beatenberg. It’s best to arrive early during peak season, as parking spots are limited.
Public Transport to Niederhorn
Start your journey by taking a train to either Interlaken West or Thun. Both stations are well connected to the Swiss rail network. From there, take bus line 101 to Beatenberg, stopping at Beatenbucht.
From Beatenbucht, a funicular railway takes you up to Beatenberg, which is where the valley station of the Niederhorn cable car is located. The Niederhorn cable car will take you directly to the top of Niederhorn.
You can also park your car in Interlaken or Thun and complete the journey by train and funicular. This option is especially convenient during peak season to avoid traffic jams and ensure a safe parking spot.