Niesen – the mountain for hikers and athletes

Panoramic hike from Mülenen to the Niesen

A long and challenging hiking trail leads from Mülenen via the middle station of Schwandegg and up to the summit of the Niesen. There’s around 1,700 metres of elevation gain to overcome. The trail leads along the path of the Niesenbahn and snakes up to the middle station of Schwandegg predominantly through the forest. From the middle station of Schwandegg there are two possible options. The direct, somewhat steeper path will take you up to the Niesen in around 2 hours. Or you can take a longer but gentler trail via the Oberniesen alp and Cheesbödi, which will take around 3 hours.

The hiking trail is perfect as a training route for mountain runners.

If you prefer to take things a little easier, you can take the cable car for the first section and save yourself 1,000 metres of elevation gain.

Hiking route: Mülenen–Schwandegg–Niesen Kulm Distance: 7.7 km Hiking time: 4 hours Height difference: 1650 m Level of difficulty: difficult

Circular route from Schwandegg to the summit

Taking the Niesenbahn to the middle station will shorten the climb through the forest. From Schwandegg the view opens up: on the steep and stony climb to Niesen Kulm you can repeatedly enjoy magnificent views of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. The descent from the summit via Oberniesen back to Schwandegg is gentler but no less spectacular.

Hiking route: Schwandegg–Niesen Kulm Distance: 8 km Hiking time: 3 hours 30 minutes Height difference: 770 m Level of difficulty: medium

Niesen–Springenboden panoramic trail

Travel up to Niesen Kulm by cable car and hike from there into the neighbouring Diemtigtal valley. At the mountain station, the path branches off in the direction of Springenboden and leads down to “Obere und Untere Stalde”, via Chummli to Geeri. The path divides here. Right, it goes over Bruchgeere via Zünegg to Hasli and further to the Oey train station. Or you can carry straight on at Geeri to the Hoschüpfe viewing platform. Here you can enjoy one last view of Lake Thun before reaching Springenboden via Unterer Drunen. From here, the hiking trail leads down to the valley road in Horboden, where you can either walk to Oey on the valley hiking trail or return by post bus from the Horboden, Wirtschaft stop.

Hiking route: Niesen Kulm-Oey-Diemtigen Distance: 12.3 km Hiking time: 4 hours 30 minutes Height difference: + 79 m / -1749 m Level of difficulty: medium

Hiking map Niesen

With the hiking ticket you can travel 3 sections on the Niesenbahn and hike one section. You can choose the sections freely and benefit from a discount of up to CHF 11.00 compared to the single ticket. The sections on the Niesen:

• Ascent from Mülenen valley station to Schwandegg middle station

• Ascent from Schwandegg middle station to Niesen Kulm mountain station

• Descent from Niesen Kulm mountain station to Schwandegg middle station

• Descent from Schwandegg middle station to Mülenen valley station

Prices hiking ticket

• CHF 48.00 adults

• CHF 24.00 adults with half-fare travelcard

• CHF 24.00 adults with GA travelcard

• CHF 24.00 Children (6-15.99 years)

Children with a Junior or Co-travelcard travel free of charge.

Prices per person in CHF, incl. VAT. / Prices and products are subject to change without notice

Do you already know the special ticket for the Springenboden-Niesen panoramic hike? Find out more here.

Longest flight of stairs in the world

With 11,674 steps, the staircase is the longest staircase in the world next to the route of the Niesen railway. It serves as a rescue staircase for emergencies, and it is forbidden to enter. But once a year – in June – the legendary Niesen Stairway Run takes place. For a few hours, the cable car comes to a standstill and registered runners can take on this special challenge.

Info & registration

Niesenbahn cable car operating times

Daily from 27 April to 10 November 2024 (extension option in good weather)

Timetable Niesenbahn

Hiking trails

The hiking trails are generally open during the operating hours of the Niesenbahn. However, the routes may be closed or interrupted depending on the season and the weather, so please check the current route and weather conditions in advance at the Niesenbahn.

Information about the condition of the hiking trails

Travel in comfort by train to Mülenen. From Mülenen train station, it is just 200 m on foot to the valley station of the Niesenbahn. The Niesenbahn will then take you up the Niesen in 30 minutes.

Timetable