Brienz Rothorn Railway -Chugging
to the Peak
Brienz
A nostalgic rack railroad driven by steam engines leads up the Brienz
Rothorn, which was even in the 19th century one of the most popular
vantage points for views in the Bernese Oberland. The train takes
about one hour to climb the 1,678 meters difference in height.
The inhabitants of Bern built the Brienz Rothorn Railway thanks to the people of Lucerne. For the
people of Bern decided to make up for the advantage that Lucerne gained after the Rigi Railway, a
tourist magnet, was built in 1871. They came up with the idea to make the Brienz Rothorn accessible
by train. In the year 1892 steam locomotives carried the first passengers up the over 2,000 meter
high mountain peak. The railway line was never electrified - thus the historic railway carriages are
still driven up the mountain by steam locomotives, as in the olden days, except for the fact that they
are partially powered by diesel engines. The magnificent panoramic view of the Bernese and Central
Swiss Alps as well as six diverse mountain hiking trails and the charming mountain hotel "RothornKulm" await the visitor on the mountain peak.
Open from 7 June – 26 October
Closest Train Station: Brienz approximately 60 minutes form Luzern
Cardada Cimetta
Locarno
Have you ever stopped to think that right above Locarno there is a
panoramic viewpoint that's very easy to reach, which offers
spectacular sights from the lowest point above sea level in
Switzerland, the river Maggia's delta in Ascona, right up to the
summit of Monte Rosa, the highest in the whole country?
The cable-car from Orselina takes you up to Cardada (1340m) in just a few minutes, where you can
access the chair lift right up to Cimetta at 1670m. This little oasis of peace and nature offers an
unforgettable 360° panorama over Lake Maggiore and the surrounding valleys. More active visitors
can try the foot-massaging walkway, an orienteering route, the circular mountain-bike track or one
of the official Helsana nordic walking trails. Families with kids are guaranteed a good time in the
indian village, in the play areas or whilst strolling around the shaded play path. In the five
restaurants and huts on the mountain, you can find lots of tasty traditional dishes from Ticino.
Open from 11 March to 2 November
Closest Train Station: Locarno
Piz Corvatsch - Panoramic View at
3303 Meters
Silvaplana
The Corvatsch is the highest mountain of the Upper Engadine skiing
region. A member of the Bernina Group, it is covered by a glacier. An
aerial cable car comfortably takes one up to the Panorama Restaurant,
which is located at 3,303 meters and offers a view of Lake Sils and
the Bianco Ridge.
Silvaplana in the Upper Engadine is the gateway to the Corvatsch region. Two large cable cars
accommodate 80 or 150 passengers respectively on the ride to Piz Corvatsch, the highest point
accessible by mountain railway in the Engadine. The skiing area that lies at the side of the mountain
and always has a snow cover, encompasses 120 kilometers of pistes and 23 ski slopes, including the
longest illuminated night ski run in Switzerland. Eighty kilometers of hiking trails beckon all year
round to this Alpine region, including, for example, the water path, a comfortable hike, that leads
past six picturesque mountain lakes. Several additional hikes start in Silvaplana and Sils, and also in
Val Roseg. The hike from Val Roseg leads across Fuorcla Surlej, which is famous for its vistas of and
around the Corvatsch.
Open 365 day per year, weather permitting
Closes Train Station: St Moritz
Niesen - Railway and World's
Longest Staircase
Niesen
The 2,362 high Niesen Mountain at Lake Thun is striking because it is
nearly perfectly shaped like a pyramid. The steep slopes are not
climbed on foot, but are traversed by cable car. The world's longest
staircase was built to parallel the course of the cable car, so that
maintenance work can be carried out on the cable car when needed.
Niesen Mountain has earned an entry into the Guinness Book of Records thanks to its staircase which has 11,674 steps. However, one does not have to climb the world's longest staircase to enjoy
the view from the mountain (which is a destination for excursions) or to enjoy a stay in the mountain
house Niesen-Kulm. The staircase was only built to enable maintenance work on the nostalgic cable
car and is only opened once a year for the Niesen Staircase Race, a climbing marathon that has been
taking place since 1990. By the way, the fastest climber so far only took 1 hour to climb the staircase.
The panoramic cable car takes passengers in about half an hour to the peak of Mt. Niesen, which is
well known for its impressive panoramic view that sweeps from the Black Forest to the Bernese Alps.
Open 19 April to 16 November
Closest Train Station: Mülenen approximately 20 minutes from Bern
Rochers-de-Naye: mountain with a
view
Montreux
Opposites are fascinating. And no two worlds could contrast more
than those at the beginning and the end of the thrilling train ride from
lively, sophisticated Montreux to the austere summit of Rochers-deNaye.
A rack-railroad starts at Montreux and continues past forests, meadows and rocks up to Rochers-deNaye. Once one reaches the top, there is a panoramic view of the Swiss and French Alps. And there
is the opportunity for numerous hikes or sightseeing trips. Nearly 1000 different mountain plant
species from all over the world can be admired in the Alpine Garden "La Rambertia", which was
inaugurated in 1896. Visitors gain insight into the life of 14 different marmot species in the Marmot
Paradise. The panorama restaurant "Plein Roc", which offers a marvelous view of Lake Geneva, is
reached through a tunnel, and as a special experience, visitors can stay overnight in Mongolian yurts.
Open 365 days per year, weather permitting.
Closest Train Station: Montreux
Säntis - View Across Six Countries
Eastern Switzerland / Liechtenstein
To see Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, France and
Italy all at the same time - this can be accomplished from the 2,502meter-high Säntis. The highest mountain of the Alpstein region is the
starting point and destination for mountain tours, hikes and ski trips.
The Säntis is the landmark of the Lake Constance region. The mountain, which can be seen from
miles away, is also well-known for extreme weather conditions that otherwise only occur in the High
Alps. A first weather station was built here in 1882, and has been manned by a weatherman ever
since. One can comfortably get to the Panorama Restaurant at the top of the mountain with the
aerial cable car Schwägalp–Säntis, one of the most used mountain trains in Switzerland. On foggy
winter days, winter hiking trails and snow shoe hiking beckon visitors to the mountain sun on the
Schwägalp. In the summer the Säntis is a popular destination for hikes and mountain tours in the
Alpstein region. A 360-degree view of six Alpine countries is always guaranteed.
Open 8 February to 31 December
Closest Train Station: Urnäsch approximately 90 minutes from Zurich
Stanserhorn on Lake Lucerne
Stans
The 1,898 meter high Stanserhorn offers a view of ten lakes, 100
kilometers of the Alpine mountain range and three countries. Even the
arrival by nostalgic cable car has its charms. The tour continues with
the CabriO Bahn (CabriO Cable Car), a worldwide first.
Since 1893, visitors to the Stanserhorn ride in the wooden wagons of the vintage funicular to the
intermediate station Kälti, where they continue their ride up the Stanserhorn by transferring to the
modern CabriO Cable Car. The double-decker cable car has two cabins and an open upper deck. It is
an experience for all senses, for one enjoys not only the panoramic view, but also the wind in one’s
hair and the pristine mountain air. The two cabins move on side-mounted support cables in order to
facilitate an unimpeded panoramic view. The cable car moves almost noiselessly from 711 meters
above sea level to the 1850-meter high Stanserhorn. The most convenient spots to enjoy the
panorama are in the revolving restaurant or on the viewing platform. Visitors who prefer more
intense physical activities, hike the Flower Reserve or the Marmot Park. By the way, the Stanserhorn,
an ideal summer mountain, is the local mountain of Delta Club Stans, the largest and oldest kite
flying club of Switzerland - a fact that can hardly be overlooked on sunny weekends. By the way,
rangers help out in naming mountain peaks.
Open 14 April to 16 November
Closest Train Station: Luzern
The Allalin – Worlds Highest
Funicular
Saas Fee
The Allalin is the highest tourist attraction in the Saas Valley. From it,
visitors can enjoy stunning views of the Allalin, the Jungfrau in the
Bernese Alps and the Italian Alps.
The Alpin-Express aerial cableway takes passengers up to the glacier tongues.on Felskinn (3000 m
a.s.l) and you can then head even higher by catching the Metro Alpin, the worlds highest
underground funicular railway, to the top of the Allalin, 3500 meters a.s.l.
Open 365 day per year, weather permitting
Closes Train Station: Approximately 40 minutes via postal bus from Visp.