Stoos Ridge hike and a ride on the GoldenPass Belle Époque in 1 day?
Adam will be traveling to Switzerland in June and has most of his trip planned, except for one day. He's trying to fit in a hiking trip to Fronalpstock and a ride on the GoldenPass Line in one day but is struggling with the timetable. He's traveling with a Swiss Travel Pass and staying in Neuchâtel, and is seeking advice to make it work.
- Dedicate your day to the GoldenPass Line instead of trying to cram both activities.
- Make sure to reserve your seat on the GoldenPass Express as it only operates a few times a day.
- Consider the Peak Experience ticket for a future visit to Stoos, as it is discounted with the Swiss Travel Pass.
- Take the early train to maximize your time in Interlaken, especially for visiting Harder Kulm.
AI-generated summary-
Hello everyone,
I will be travelling to Switzerland in June 2025. I have a fully planned itinerary for all but one day, which I need some logistical help with. I am wanting to do the following two things in one day:
- Taking the funicular to Stoos, the chairlift to Lingenstock, then doing the hike to Fronalpstock.
- Taking the GoldenPass Line (either direction is fine), including the Belle Epoque.
Given that the Belle Epoque only departs from Montreux or Zweisimmen twice a day and the operating hours of the chairlifts in Stoos, I am finding the timetable quite restrictive and can’t find a combination that would allow me to do both activities.
I will be travelling with the Swiss Travel Pass, so the cost of transportation is not a concern for me. I will be staying in Neuchâtel, which I know will add a few hours to just get to the start point of the journey, but I am willing to wake up very early to make it happen.
Would greatly appreciate any help or advice.
Thanks in advance!Adam
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Alternatively, if that is not feasible I am willing to take the panoramic train directly between Montreux and Interlaken.
Hello Adam
Welcome to MySwissAlps
Congratulations on investing in a Swiss Travel Pass. Congratulations too on choosing Neuchatel as your base. STP holders should always base themselves in a town which is a good public transport hub, and Neuchatel certainly is. (I have stayed there.)
I am a timetables Nerd, not a hiking expert. How long do you expect your hike to last? Which day have you earmarked for the hike? Are you sure the chairlifts will be open on that day?
Also, what exactly do you mean by ‘Golden Pass’? The term is ambiguous. Do you want to go Lucerne-Interlaken-Spiez-Zweismmen-Montreux? Or would you be happy with just the Spiez to Montreux section?
Belle Epoque carriages. I have travelled in these vehicles. I have mixed feelings. Despite using the name ‘Belle Epoque’, which strongly suggests pre-First World War, the vehicles date from 1930. The interiors look very attractive, but the seats are not very comfortable. The windows do not open and there is no air conditioning.
Combining the two activities? Even if you follow your suggestion in reply one, it is going to be an extremely long day!
I await your replies with interest!
Roger
Hi Roger,
Thanks for the reply!
After looking into the logistics a bit further, I think my plan of doing both things in one day is a bit unrealistic, getting to the hike itself already takes a long enough time from where I am based, and would take up the whole day, it is also quite expensive since the chairlift is not included in the Travel Pass. As beautiful as the hike looks, I think I’ll save it for the next time I am in Switzerland.
Instead, I think dedicating the entire day to the GoldenPass Line will make my day be less rushed and allow me to actually enjoy the journey. I was thinking of starting in Montreux and taking the panoramic train to Interlaken. In Interlaken, I’d like to explore the town a bit and go up to Harder Kulm and perhaps do a shorter hike there since there is a discount with the Travel Pass, before doing the last section to Lucerne.
I just need to decide whether I should take the panoramic train directly from Montreux to Interlaken, or if it is worth doing the panoramic or Belle Epoque train to Zweisimmen and then going to Interlaken (does this option require a stop in Spiez or does the train just go through it without stopping?). I am also willing to do the line in reverse (starting in Lucerne and ending in Montreux) if that helps with planning.
I would love to hear your thoughts about this, especially in regards to the various options from Montreux to Interlaken, and how much time I can spend in Interlaken exploring. Looking forward to your reply!
Warm regards,
Adam
Hello AdamI would suggest the following.Take the 06 53 IC5 to Olten, arrive 07 57.
Change there to the 08 06 RE24 to Lucerne, arrive 08 55.
Catch the 09 06 Luzern-Interlaken Express, arrive Interlaken Ost at 10 54. Sit on the right when leaving Lucerne. Do not change your seat when the train changes direction at Meiringen.
Interlaken is a modernish town which grew up with 19th century tourism. Do not bother to explore. Go up Harder Kulm. The bottom station for Harder is close to Interlaken Ost station.
Get back down to Interlaken Ost in plenty of time for the 14 07 Golden Pass Express through to Montreux. This train will change from standard gauge to metre gauge at Zweisimmen.
I would strongly recommend that you get a reservation for this train. The Golden Pass Express only operates four times a day. As these high-tech variable gauge trains eliminate the changes at Spiez and Zweisimmen, they are proving very popular.
The GPE train reaches Montreux at 17 27.
Montreux is a beautiful lakeside resort on Lac Lėman (Lake Geneva). Take another break there.
To get back to Neuchatel catch an RE33 bound for Annemasse. These trains leave Montreux at 08 and 38 minutes past each hour. You stay on the RE33 for 27 minutes, you get off at Renens, the stop after Lausanne.
(As I know from very recent personal experience, Swiss railways are currently rebuilding Lausanne station. For understandable reasons they are discouraging passengers from changing trains at Lausanne. I made a change at Renens on April 9th – it was very easy short walk.)
From Renens IC5 trains to Neuchatel depart at 11 and 41 past each hour. The total journey time Montreux to Neuchatel is one hour and thirteen minutes.
Kind regards
Roger
Hi Adam,
Lots of useful and helpful information from Roger.
Yes, as you have discovered the chair lifts once you reach Stoos are not included with the Swiss Travel Pass. When you do return to visit Stoos, you may want to take a look at the Peak Experience ticket which is discounted with the Swiss Travel Pass. It may suit your needs, to include the hike :-). If you scroll to “Other websites of interest” in our Stoos guide below, you’ll find a link that you can click on under “Prices”.
The following links should help you out for your visit to Harder Kulm and Interlaken.
- Harder Kulm: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/harder-kulm/
- Interlaken: https://www.myswissalps.com/town/interlaken/
All about a ride on the GoldenPass route and the various trains here.
In case you needed some ideas for things to do in Montreux. Take a look in the link attached.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Hi Roger,
Thank you! That is super helpful and very much appreciated!
Do you have any recommendations on the best place to reserve a ticket?
Best,
Adam
Hello Yolanda,
Thank you for the reply, I will definitely add the Peak Experience ticket to my notes for the future!
In my itinerary, I have an entire day dedicated to Montreux and Gruyeres, so I have already looked into things to do in Montreux, but I will take a look at the link to see if I missed anything.
Best,
Adam
Hi Adam,
Here’s our Gruyères guide.
You’ll find reservation options for the GoldenPass Express in the GoldenPass link I provided above. Scroll to ” Where to buy GoldenPass tickets, reservations and tours: trusted webshops:.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
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