Harder Kulm in Interlaken: how to plan and what to expect

This page was last updated by Annika on 15 February 2024.

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Harder Kulm: the must-knows

Harder Kulm is a viewpoint above Interlaken, open from spring to fall.
Because of the quick 10-minute funicular ride from Interlaken Ost, you can easily combine Harder Kulm with other excursions near Interlaken.
You’ll have wide views over Interlaken, Lake Thun, Lake Brienz and the Bernese Alps.
This is one of the best places to have a sunset dinner with mountain views, without having to sleep in a hotel: the funicular operates until the evening.
Harder Kulm makes for a relatively affordable excursion, even without rail pass discounts.

Min. time required: 1:00

Season: early April to late November

Recommended season: early April to late October

Max. altitude: 1321 m (4334 ft)

What is Harder Kulm?

Harder Kulm is a viewpoint on a hill at 1321 m altitude above Interlaken, open from April to November. You can reach it by a 10-minute funicular ride that starts close the rail station Interlaken Ost.

The top offers views of large parts of the Bernese Oberland. You can have brunch, lunch, and even dinner in the panorama restaurant: there are evening rides during the summer season.

About prices, tickets, and reservations

Harder Kulm - 2024 prices

Price	More information and prices	Description
CHF 22	more info	Return trip with a Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Travel Pass Flex or Swiss Half Fare Card in high season: June-July-August
CHF 19	more info	Return trip with a Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Travel Pass Flex or Swiss Half Fare Card in other operation months: April-May, September-October-November
CHF 0	more info	Return trip with a Jungfrau Travel Pass in all operation months: April-November
CHF 0	more info	Return trip with a Berner Oberland Pass in all operation months: April-November
CHF 44	more info	Return trip with a normal ticket, full fare, in high season: June-July-August
CHF 38	more info	Return trip with a normal ticket, full fare, in other operation months: April-May, September-October-November

Where to buy your tickets

You can get your tickets to Harder Kulm online, or at the valley station in Interlaken.

Reservations

You don't have to make reservations for a trip to Harder Kulm.

Get your tickets for Harder Kulm

Book your tickets with and without rail pass discounts here. Or find a tour that suits your needs.

Interlaken: Funicular Ticket to Harder Kulm

Mountains

Ride a Funicular to the Top of the Harder Kulm. Enjoy fabulous views of Interlaken, Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau.

Offered by GetYourGuide: www.getyourguide.com

Easy, online, free cancellation in most cases
Best Price Matching: GetYourGuide will pay the difference if you find a lower price.
Extra Support: if you buy here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.

Funicular Ticket from Interlaken to Harder

Mountains

Book a ticket to ride the Harder Kulm funicular in Interlaken and visit a viewing platform 1,322 meters above sea level. Marvel at sweeping views of the Bernese Alps, Lake Thun, and much more.

Offered by GetYourGuide: www.getyourguide.com

Easy, online, free cancellation in most cases
Best Price Matching: GetYourGuide will pay the difference if you find a lower price.
Extra Support: if you buy here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.

Harder Kulm - Top of Interlaken Funicular Ticket

Mountains

Escape the bustling core of Interlaken and ascend to a peaceful Alpine retreat via the funicular

Offered by Klook: www.klook.com

Best price guarantee: Klook will refund double the difference if you find a lower price.
Extra Support: if you book here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.

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Cheaper Harder Kulm tickets with your rail pass

The below rail passes offer discounts or even free traveling to Harder Kulm.

Pass	Discount
Berner Oberland Pass	Free: Interlaken to Harder Kulm (funicular)
Day Pass	Discount 50%: Interlaken to Harder Kulm (funicular)
Eurail Global Pass	Discount 50%: Interlaken to Harder Kulm (funicular)
Interrail Switzerland Pass	Discount 50%: Interlaken to Harder Kulm (funicular)
Jungfrau Travel Pass	Free: Interlaken to Harder Kulm (funicular)
Swiss Half Fare Card	Discount 50%: Interlaken to Harder Kulm (funicular)
Swiss Travel Pass	Discount 50%: Interlaken to Harder Kulm (funicular)
Swiss Travel Pass Flex	Discount 50%: Interlaken to Harder Kulm (funicular)

How to reach Harder Kulm: directions and map

How does the timetable work?

How to get to the valley station in Interlaken

Harder Kulm can be reached by funicular from Interlaken. The ride takes about 10 minutes. The valley station is located close to the railway station of Interlaken Ost and can be reached in a 5-minute walk. It's on the other side of the river Aare and you'll see it quickly after crossing the bridge.

Where to park if you come by car

If you come by car, you can park it at the P+R parking lot near the railway station. We recommend using public transportation though. That allows you to combine your trip to Harder Kulm with other activities: you can start and end wherever you like, without having to return to your car.

Can one drive to Harder Kulm?

No, Harder Kulm can not be reached by car. The only way up (other than hiking) is the funicular.

Map: funicular route Interlaken-Harder Kulm

Maps are available to members only

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Operation dates, schedules and timetable

2024 operating dates for Harder Kulm

The funicular operates from 29 March to 1 December 2024. Evening rides are available from April to October.

Planning your trip in the timetable

You can either consult the Harder Kulm timetable here, or use the general Swiss timetable:

The valley station is called "Interlaken Harderbahn".
The top station is "Harder Kulm".

Best months for your excursion

The best season to go to Harder Kulm is early April to late October. This is when the panorama restaurant is open in the evenings and sunset dining is an option. Within this timeframe, we prefer:

Mid-April to June. The combination of green valleys and snow on the high Bernese Oberland mountains is beautiful.
Mid-September to October. This is when you can see the onset of autumn colors in the valley.

Weather at Harder Kulm

The views are the main reason to get up to Harder Kulm, so check weather forecasts and make sure it’s not too cloudy. You can estimate with quite some certainty if the sky is clear enough while you're in Interlaken. It's only a short ride up, so there's no huge risk of dramatic weather changes during the ascent.

Even though Harder Kulm is at lower altitude than many other Swiss mountain tops, don't underestimate the temperature difference with Interlaken in the valley. It will be a bit cooler at the top and it can be windy too: dress accordingly.

If you plan to hike, make sure you wear solid hiking shoes and other appropriate gear.

5-day forecast for Harder Kulm

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What to see and do at the top

Once you get off the funicular, you have to walk a bit to reach the viewing point and restaurant. This is a 5-minute walk over an easy gravel path. Here’s what you can do:

Admire the views from a spectacular viewing platform, supported by a steel construction. It’s called the ‘Two Lakes Bridge’, as you can look down onto Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. You’ll also see the famous mountain trio Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, framed by the rest of the Jungfrau Region and other parts of the Bernese Oberland.
The panorama restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. From April to October, the funicular operates in the evenings as well. Harder Kulm is a great place to experience the sunset while dining!
From June to September, there are live folklore shows demonstrating Swiss traditions.
There’s a 1- to 1.5-hour circular hiking trail.

Is Harder Kulm as good as other mountain tops in the Jungfrau Region?

We think that Harder Kulm is different from most other mountains in the Jungfrau Region. Pros of other mountain tops are:

They’re higher. This means that the trip up is usually longer and more spectacular.
They’re closer to the snow-capped Alps and give you the feeling you’re right within the mountains.

The advantages of Harder Kulm are:

It’s very easy to reach.
It’s relatively affordable.
You’ll have amazing panoramic views of the Bernese Oberland, with the highest mountain tops somewhat in the distance.

Other activities to do on the same day

A trip to Harder Kulm can be done quickly if you want, even within 1 hour from Interlaken. You can combine it with any of these activities:

Explore Interlaken and do some souvenir shopping.
For kids, consider a visit to Heimwehfluh, the JungfrauPark or the Alpenwildpark Interlaken. This is a small zoo with alpine ibex and a marmot colony next to the Harder Kulm valley station.
Travel into the Jungfrau Region and enjoy one of the many activities there.
Enjoy a boat ride over Lake Thun and visit a mountain top such as the Niesen, Stockhorn, or Niederhorn. Or explore the lakeside towns Spiez and Thun.
Take a boat ride over Lake Brienz and visit Brienz, Brienzer Rothorn, the Aare Gorge, the Reichenbach Falls or the Ballenberg open-air museum.