Niesen

Because of its perfect pyramid shape, the Niesen is recognizable from far away.

7 Highlights on the Niesen

• From April to November the 2362 m high Niesen becomes a hiker's paradise
• The Niesenbahn is one of the longest funicular railroads in Europe. It travels upwards for almost 3500 m and overcomes 1643 meters in altitude.
• The 11,674 steps of the Niesenbahn are conquered every year in June by 220 runners of the Niesen Stair Run. It is the longest staircase in the world.
• Cultural evenings on the Niesen are very popular and open-air concerts are also held here regularly.
• The Niesen is a summer leisure destination. The cable car and restaurant are closed during the winter months.
• The Niesendörfli is an adventure playground at the summit, suitable for the whole family.
• From May to October is the best time for paragliding. On the north side of the Niesen is the starting point

The Niesen is the local mountain of Thun. It is sometimes also called Wimmiser, derived from the municipality of Wimmis. The Kulm with its viewing platform allows a view in all directions. With the Niesenbahn it can be reached in only 30 min from Mülenen.

Sights at Niesen

The main attraction at Niesen is the observation platform at the Kulm. From here, you can enjoy a 360-degree view due to its pyramidal shape. A special experience is riding the train, where stories are shared along the way.

Niesen is also considered a "weather indicator" in the region, with the type of clouds revealing the weather:

• If Niesen wears a hat, nice weather is ahead
• If Niesen wears a collar, there’ll be discomfort in the weather

Observation Platform and Info Trail at Niesen Kulm

You can reach the observation platform in about five minutes via a well-maintained path at the Kulm. Along the way, twelve informational signs highlight interesting details about Niesen, the mountain house, and the funicular railway.

Here are the twelve informational signs you can see:

• Geology at Niesen
• History of Niesen
• Legends around Niesen
• Flora and fauna at Niesen
• Spas around Niesen
• Niesen in art
• Origins of the Niesen railway
• Construction of the Niesen railway
• Brochures of the Niesen railway
• Timetables and prices of the Niesen railway
• Mountain house before the Niesen railway opened
• Mountain house after the Niesen railway opened

The 360-degree panorama at Niesen Kulm shows the Lake Thun in the valley with Interlaken, and behind it, the Lake Brienz to the northeast. In the east and southeast, you can see Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau, and behind them, the Bernina group. You'll also spot many mountain peaks of the Bernese Alps. To the south, the Weisshorn group is visible, and slightly to the west, the view extends all the way to Mont Blanc.

Experience Rides on the Niesen: Story Rides on the Niesen

Specially designed for families, the Niesenbahn offers storytelling sessions. The meeting point is right down at the valley station. After the stories, kids can enjoy the Niesendörfli playground at the summit or play together at the Schwandegg. A cozy get-together with snacks, coffee, or dinner wraps up these experiences. So, for a family outing, the Niesen is perfect.

Niesen Fox and Millstone

For little ones aged five to eight, stories about the Niesen Fox or the Millstone are told. The tales are narrated by Sandra Eng, Pamela Kaltenmark, and Barbara Rubin at the middle station. Each child receives a Niesen cap, and after playing together, a snack is served. Including train rides, everything lasts 2.5 hours. The Niesenbahn publishes the dates on the Mühlstein and Niesen Fox page, where they also share the schedule, dates, costs, and booking options. The stories are available as children's books, with ISDN numbers, prices, and more info provided on the Mühlstein Children’s Book and Niesen Fox Children’s Book pages.

Wildlife Warden Stories

For older kids, there are thrilling stories about animals told by a former hunting inspector of the canton of Bern. Peter Juesy shares exciting tales during the "Story Ride" about bear bones in Spiggengrund, a lost chamois at Blüemlisalp, or hunting poaching in the region. The first short story is already available at the meeting point at the valley station. Train ride, coffee & croissants in the mountain house are included in the price.

Information on dates, schedule, and booking options can be found on the Wildlife Warden Stories page. Since these rides start quite early (Duration: 2.5 hours including rides), the return trip can also be individually extended. There’s even an option to combine it with a brunch at the mountain restaurant.

Niesen Crime

The Niesen Crime is written by Esther Pauchard, a crime author from Thun. The crime story is presented in the mountain house in two parts before and after dinner. Pamela Kaltenmark, aka Kassandra Bergen, recounts what she "experienced" together with Kerstin Lindner during an outing on the Niesen. Including the mountain ride, the Niesen Crime lasts 3:15 hours, and the return journey can be individually delayed. Dates, detailed schedule, prices, and booking options are available on the Niesen Crime page.

Take the funicular to the Niesen

The Niesen is a mountain that is very popular from mid-April to mid-November. Outside of this period, the train and restaurant are closed.

One of the longest funiculars in the world operates in two sections to reach the Niesen. The first section begins in Mülenen and ends at the Schwandegg middle station. In the second part, the train goes all the way to the Niesen Kulm summit station.

The valley station in Mülenen is located right next to the BLS regional railway station. The parking lots for the Niesen cable cars are on the other side, north of the valley station.

The funicular covers an elevation gain of 976 meters over a distance of 2,111 meters from Mülenen to Schwandegg. On the route from Schwandegg to Niesen Kulm, the train gains 667 meters in elevation over a distance of 1,388 meters.

The maximum gradient that the funicular needs to overcome is 68% on the upper section. The funicular was inaugurated in 1906.

Offer at Swiss Activities:

• Ticket for Niesenbahn

Activities at the Niesen

As an excursion destination, the Niesen is very popular and has a wide range of activities, especially hiking.

Among the most popular activities are:

• Hiking
• Paragliding
• Yoga on the Niesen
• Visiting Niesendörfli (children's playground)

Hikes

The Niesen provides a view of a beautiful panorama almost everywhere. The choice of the actual route depends on the condition of the hiker. The overview page shows some hiking routes and possible combinations. The following hikes are particularly popular.

Panoramic hike to the Niesen

A panoramic hike from Mülenen to the Kulm of the Niesen is a difficult hike of about four to five hours, depending on your condition. 1.650 meters in altitude have to be mastered.

If that seems too difficult, you can shorten the route wonderfully and take the mountain railroad to the middle station in Schwandegg or board the train there. The upper part of the climb is the more beautiful of the two partial stages. Here, too, there is a choice between a steeper and shorter variant or a longer but moderate path, which means an additional hour of hiking time. The best time for hiking is between June and October.

Roundtrip Schwandegg - Niesen Kulm - Schwandegg

The trail leads from the middle station of the Niesenbahn to the Niesen Kulm and back on the other side. It is initially marked as hiking trail no. 5. The mixture of alpine meadows, stony and also steep sections is varied. The trail has almost constant panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and lakes.

It zigzags up through the eastern flank of the Niesen. The descent then goes over the north side on gently sloping paths and past the paraglider launch site towards the Niesen ridge. From a sharp hairpin bend, take hiking trail no. 6 via Cheesbödi and the Oberniese Alp back to Schwandegg.

• 8 kilometers length
• just under 4 hours hike
• 770 vertical meters ascent and descent

The trails can also be walked in the opposite direction. The Niesenbahn also offers hiking tickets with three of four train rides, so that even just one station can be completed on foot.

Hike from the mountain station via Oberniese to Schwandegg

A hike from Kulm to the middle station via Oberniese and Unterniese has a distance of plenty of five kilometers. It can be done in less than two hours, as it is almost exclusively downhill. And if you like, you can use the barbecue area "Tristhubel" above Schwandegg.

In addition to table and benches, the barbecue site is equipped with a grill, firewood and waste garbage cans. Cold water and toilets can be reached in three minutes at the middle station.

Alternative hikes to and from Niesen

Hikes to the northwest of the mountain Niesen like to Diemtigtal or from the north from Wimmis are alternative hiking trails where you don't have to do without the beautiful panorama.

Hike to Diemtigtal

The hike starts with the drive up to the Kulm. From there, the mountain trail leads over the Obere Stalde in a northwesterly direction to the village of Oey. You pass alpine pastures, through stone dumps and forests you reach the nature park Diemtigtal. The hiking trail is signposted.

Hike from Wimmis ("Enjoying the Niesen")

The starting point Wimmis is a village with beautiful wooden houses from the seventeenth and eighteenth century. From Spiez you can get to Wimmis by regional train Zweisimmen in 6-7 minutes. From the Wimmis train station, the path leads in the direction of Oberdorf and below the castle hill to the clearing Gatafel. The partly narrow path winds its way to Stueffistein with a beautiful view. The ascent to Schafboden is particularly steep. Overall, the mountain hike is very demanding with 1,700 meters of ascent and requires a good physical condition.

Hike from the top station via Oberniese to Schwandegg

A hike from Kulm to the middle station via Oberniese and Unterniese has a distance of 5 km. It can be done in less than two hours, as it is almost exclusively downhill. And if you like, you can use the barbecue place "Tristhubel" above Schwandegg.

In addition to table and benches, the barbecue site is equipped with a grill, firewood and waste garbage cans. In three minutes you can reach cold water and toilets at the middle station.

Alternative hikes to and from Niesen

Hikes to the northwest of the mountain Niesen like to Diemtigtal or from the north from Wimmis are alternative hiking trails where you don't have to miss the beautiful panorama.

Hike to Diemtigtal

The hike starts with the drive up to the Kulm. From there, the mountain trail leads over the Obere Stalde in a northwesterly direction to the village of Oey. You pass alpine pastures, walk through rock dumps and forests into the nature park Diemtigtal. The hiking trail is signposted.

Hike from Wimmis ("Enjoying the Niesen")

The starting point Wimmis is a village with beautiful wooden houses from the 17th and 18th century. From Spiez you can reach Wimmis in 6-7 min with the regional train Zweisimmen. From Wimmis train station the path leads towards Oberdorf and below the castle hill to the clearing Gatafel. The partly narrow path winds its way to the Stueffistein with a beautiful view. The ascent to Schafboden is particularly steep. Overall, the mountain hike with 1700 meters of ascent is very demanding and requires a good physical condition.

Paragliding on the Niesen

The launch site for paragliders on the Niesen is located on the north side in the direction of the Niesen ridge. A flight to Spiez is particularly popular. With more than 1700 meters of altitude and the panorama it is unique. It takes between 20 and 30 min. The best season is from May to the end of October. The starting conditions are better at the Niesen in the morning. Therefore, Niesen flyers have to get up a little earlier. When the wind blows from the north, paragliding flights are not possible.

The approach is by Niesenbahn, the paragliders are transported together with the pilot in a limited number per trip. Everyone is responsible for reloading their own paraglider at the middle station. Further information can be found on the paragliding info page of the Niesen Bahn.

Paragliding flights from the Niesen are also offered as tandem flights by surrounding paragliding schools.

Yoga on the Niesen

Fabienne Egli from Wild Moon Yoga will be conducting "Vinyasa Yoga - dynamic & powerful" on the Niesen in early September. The yoga classes will be held on Thursday evening: 18:00 to 19:30 and on Friday morning: 6:30h to 8:00. Participants have the possibility to book one of the 11 double or twin rooms in the Berghaus for an overnight stay.

The price for yoga on the Niesen includes:

• three hours of yoga
• Niesenbahn ascent and descent
• Dinner (3-course menu or buffet)
• Overnight stay in a double room
• Niesen brunch

Visit Niesendörfli

The Niesendörfli is an adventure playground for the whole family. It is located at the summit of the Niesen. The playground also offers a beautiful view of the surrounding area. In the Dörfli, children have the opportunity to live out their imagination while playing. The playground equipment is largely designed from wood

Events on the Niesen

In addition to the famous stair run, various cultural events are offered. In addition, there are culinary or culinary-accompanied events in the Berghaus Niesen Kulm.

Annual stair run on the Niesen

The stair run is a special attraction on the Niesen. The run takes place every year in June. Only athletically trained people without health problems may take part. The number of participants is limited to 220 people every year. If you are interested in this challenge, you can register on the page of the Niesen Stair Run. As soon as more than 220 people want to participate, the decision will be made by lot. The staircase runs directly next to the rails of the Niesenbahn.

Facts about the stair run:

• 11,674 steps
• 693 m.a.s.l. Start in Mülenen
• 2336 m.a.s.l. Finish mountain station Niesen Kulm
• 66% maximum gradient in part 1
• 68% maximum gradient in part 2
• The best times of the stair climbers on the Niesen are about one hour.

Since 2019, the Niesen Stair Run is part of the Oberland Cup. This Cup includes the following runs, which are held consecutively:

• Blüemlisalp run
• Niesen Stair Run
• Evening run Wengen
• Vogellisi mountain run

For all non-participants and outside the competition it is forbidden to enter the stairs of the Niesenbahn.

up to culture - Culture on the Niesen

On the Niesen, cultural events are offered again and again throughout the season

Some examples:

• Arlette Wismer: She and her ensemble play Swiss folk music under the motto of the Four Seasons. Their repertoire includes not only traditional but also modern tunes. The musical instruments are violin, accordion and double bass.
• 1st August celebration on the Niesen for the national holiday with summit bonfire from 21:00 hrs
• Novel readings, for example with Arno Camenisch on "Der Schatten im Dorf".
• Concerts with James Gruntz, who reinterprets songs together with a DUO partner
• Songwriter summit meeting with Lorenz Sommer (formerly known as Tschou Zäme) and Stefan Heimoz
• "DARUM" with the comedian Claudio Zuccolini
• Open air concerts of changing artists under the motto Seaside Sessions on the terrace of the Berghaus Niesen Kulm, they take place from 18:00 to 23:00.
• Niesen-Jasset in November: Culinary ride with the mountain railroad

Events at the Berghaus Niesen Kulm

Events are planned in the Berghaus or on its terrace from June to November, most of which are accompanied by culinary delights. These include the cultural events (up to culture) and the culinary endings of the "Gschichtefahrte uf e Niese". Direct culinary events take place regularly at the Berghaus Niesen Kulm.

Mountain house Niesen Kulm

The Berghaus was already built in 1856 on the Niesen Kulm. At that time there was no railroad to take the guests up. In 2002 the restaurant pavilion was added and the Berghaus was rebuilt.

Today the restaurant has 200 seats inside and 180 seats on the outdoor terrace. In the Berghaus there are eleven rustic double rooms (without TV and possibly with shared bathroom) for overnight stays at Kulm. Some rooms of the restaurant are separable for celebrations and events.

During the season, the restaurant is open daily until 4:30 p.m. and offers various specials that are coordinated with the travel times of the Niesenbahn:

• Niesen Brunch from the beginning of June until the end of November daily from 8:30-11:00 a.m
• Lunch daily from 12:00 p.m., food and drink menus can be viewed online
• Culinary evening trips to the Niesen
• Niesen Buffet à discrétion: Wednesdays (from July until the beginning of November)
• Ächt Schwyzerisch à discrétion: Fridays (from April to mid-November) with monthly changing themes
• Fondue Rustique (meat fondue) à discrétion: Saturdays (end of April to mid-November)
• Full moon dinner: with 5-course surprise menu, candlelight
• Sunrise arrangement: overnight stay with dinner and brunch
• Group offers for celebrations, meetings or simply being together

Rail travel (except for lunch) is already included in the prices.

Kiosks with snacks and gift articles are available at the valley station Mülenen and at the Berghaus Niesen Kulm.

Niesen: Location and Getting There

The Niesen is part of the Bernese Oberland. It is located south of Lake Thun and can be reached via a funicular from Mülenen.

Getting there by public transport

You can reach Mülenen station by public transport from Bern by taking the IC or EC train to Spiez. From there, it's a quick 50-minute journey on the regional train. The BLS regional train takes 38 minutes from Bern without stops but only stops in Mülenen on request. The station is about 200 meters from the valley station. If you're coming from Thun, the journey takes around 16 minutes.

Getting there by car

To get to Mülenen by car, head towards Frutigen via Spiez. It takes about 5 minutes to drive from Spiez. If you come through the Lötschberg Base Tunnel from the Valais, you'll reach Mülenen just after Reichenbach. The mountain railway station is on the left-hand side of the road. Driving from Thun takes about 20 minutes, and from Bern about 40 minutes.

Parking

There are three parking lots north of the valley station with space for 140 cars. The parking lots are fee-based. You can reserve a parking spot in advance using the ParkApp.

• Minimum rate for 5 hours: CHF 5, full day: CHF 8.
• Season parking pass for CHF 60 per vehicle.

Climate and weather at Niesen

In the period from April to September the sun shines on average 6 to 8 hours a day. Temperatures reach up to 22 °C at Kulm at 2362 m above sea level in high summer

In May, more than 20 rainy days have been measured on average. Also in June, July and August you have to expect frequent rain showers. For hikes on the Niesen, rain protection and ankle-high mountain boots are therefore always a must.

Paragliding flights cannot be carried out if there is a north wind. However, experience shows that there is little wind in the early morning hours. Therefore, paragliding flights are best scheduled in the early morning hours.