Steam and coal smoke drifting up a mountainside above Lake Brienz.
Harder Kulm
A funicular climbing 735 vertical meters, and two lakes appear at once.
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Nature
Koen's favourite
Koen's favourite
The Harderbahn has carried passengers up from Interlaken since 1908. The funicular leaves from a valley station a short walk from Interlaken Ost, cuts through forest, passes the small wildlife park, and reaches Harder Kulm in under ten minutes. The summit sits at 1,322 meters, and the climb gains 735 meters along the way.
At the top, a castle-like restaurant with turrets and a red tile roof marks the en of the mountain. Beyond it, the Two-Lakes-Bridge extends toward a viewing platform, part of its floor made of glass. From here, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz open on either side, with the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau rising to the south. Hikers can continue along the Hardergrat ridge instead of riding back down.
The funicular runs from spring through autumn. Winter closes the line, and the mountain returns to itself.
More in Interlaken
A restaurant with a turret and a terrace, and a two-lake view from the table.
A river runs beneath the mountain, cold and constant, whatever season waits outside.
Ibex on the ridge, the Eiger on the horizon.