Brienz Rothorn Railway
Pure nostalgia: since 1892, the Brienz Rothorn Railway has steamed its way up to the Rothorn from Brienz – an intact Swiss cultural asset. Within one hour, the steam cog railway negotiates a difference in altitude of 1,678 metres (5,505 feet), passes through eight tunnels and ranks as an absolute must for railway enthusiasts.
In roughly one hour, the small steam locomotives push the merry red panorama coaches from Lake Brienz up to the Brienzer Rothorn. Additionally, an aerial cableway makes its way to the Rothorn from the UNESCO biosphere Entlebuch (Sörenberg). Unlike the steam railway, this line also operates during winter. Whichever way visitors choose to travel up: the panoramic view from the 2,350-metre summit remains positively impressive.
The view over the Bernese Alps, Lake Brienz and the Grimsel area is magnificent – as is the view of Pilatus and Hogant. Summit restaurants and the Mountain Lodge Rothorn Kulm with newly refurbished rooms guarantee a memorable stay with spectacular sunsets and sunrises.
- Altitude: 2,350 m a.s.l.
- Arrival: Zentralbahn from Interlaken Ost or Luzern to Brienz, steam cog railway to Brienzer Rothorn. PostBus from Schüpfheim to the valley station Rothornbahn (Sörenberg), aerial cableway to Rothorn
- Travel duration to summit: app. 60 min
- Attractions: Almost all trains operate with steam engines, many open coaches
- Special highlight: Free ride on the steam railway on one’s birthday. “Steam Sausage Express” Wednesdays at 10.00 hrs from June to October
- Website: Brienzer Rothorn