Harder Kulm: an easy-to-reach viewing point above Interlaken
Are you looking for an easy trip with beautiful views? Hop on the funicular from Interlaken to Harder Kulm, where you’ll have pretty views of the Bernese Oberland. You can enjoy a meal in the panorama restaurant too.
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Attraction type: natural site, mountain top, by funicular
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Escort: independent (no guide)
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Region: Interlaken (Bernese Oberland)
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Duration: 1 day or less
An easy ride and great views
Harder Kulm is a mountain at 1321m, located above the tourist town of Interlaken. It can be reached in a 10 minutes’ ride by funicular, and the funicular valley station is at an easy 5 minutes’ walk from the railway station of Interlaken Ost. Once you’re at Harder Kulm, you can look down onto Interlaken and the two lakes of Thun and Brienz. If weather is clear, you’ll also see the snow-capped Bernese Alps, including the famous trio of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. If you like, you can enjoy the views at ease from the panorama restaurant.
What to expect at the top
Once you get off the funicular, you have to walk a bit to reach the actual viewing point and restaurant. This is a 5 minutes’ walk over a mostly level gravel path. You’ll then find a spectacular viewing platform, supported by a steel construction. It’s called the “Two Lakes Bridge”, as visitors can look down onto Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.
You’ll also find a playground and the panorama restaurant here, which serves brunch, lunch and dinner and specializes in Swiss food. From April to October, the funicular operates in the evenings as well. The last ride down is as late as about 21h00, allowing you to experience sunset while dining. Breakfast buffets are available on Sundays in June to October (reservation is required).
From May to October, there’s a daily live folklore show in the late afternoon and early evening, allowing you to get acquainted with several Swiss traditions.
If you prefer to enjoy the views while hiking, consider the 1,5 to 2 hours circular theme trail. On 12 information panels along the way, information about the history and geology of this area is provided.
How to prepare
The views are the main reason to get up to Harder Kulm, so check weather forecasts and make sure it’s not too cloudy or rainy. There might be some wind at the top, so dress accordingly. Don’t forget your sunglasses either. If you plan to hike the circular theme trail, make sure you wear solid hiking shoes and other appropriate gear.
Combine a visit to Harder Kulm with other activities
A trip to Harder Kulm can be done quickly, if you don’t opt for an extensive meal or a hike at the top. You can even complete the entire trip within one hour, meaning that there’s plenty of time to plan some more activities on the same day. How about these suggestions?
- explore Interlaken and do some souvenir shopping;
- for kids, consider an additional visit to Heimwehfluh, the JungfrauPark or the Alpenwildpark Interlaken, which is a small zoo with alpine ibex and a marmot colony;
- enjoy a boat ride over Lake Thun and visit a mountain top such as Niesen, Stockhorn or Niederhorn, or explore the lakeside towns of Spiez and Thun;
- take a boat ride over Lake Brienz and visit Brienz, the Aare Gorge, the Reichenbach Falls or the Ballenberg open-air museum.
An overview of more activities in the Bernese Oberland can be found here.