Get up to speed while hiking
With its varied short and longer tours, the Brienzer Rothorn is ideal for mountain hikers and walkers. Those who prefer to take it easy can take the train up and back down. The summit trail from the mountain station at 2244 m above sea level to the Rothorn at 2350 m above sea level is also suitable for the less fit.
The panoramic view from the summit is uniquely magnificent: if the weather cooperates, you can see from the Alps of Central Switzerland with Pilatus, Rigi and Titlis to the mighty four-thousand-metre peaks of the Bernese Alps with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, all the way to the Chasseral in the Jura. In ideal weather conditions, the view opens up to 693 peaks. This view alone is worth a trip to the Brienzer Rothorn.
Please be considerate of animals and other people when hiking. Therefore, do not leave any waste behind and treat nature with the necessary respect.
Important: Hikes in the Rothorn area are not walks. Red and white marked routes should only be hiked in weatherproof clothing, suitable shoes with a non-slip sole and in good physical condition!
Before planning a hike, please find out about the following influences:
Route, trail category, difficulties, your own abilities, time required, trail conditions and weather.
Mountain hiking route
| Number | Mountain hiking route | Hiking time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Brienzer Rothorn → Schönbühl → Turren (→ Lungern) | 3 h (5 h) |
| 2. | Brienzer Rothorn → Brünig Pass | 5 h |
| 3. | Brienzer Rothorn → Planalp | 2.5 h |
| 4. | Planalp → Brienz | 2.5 h |
| 5. | Brienzer Rothorn → Lättgässli → Chruterenpass → Planalp | 2.75 h |
| 6. | Planalp → Mettli → Brienz | 2 h |
| Summit trail | 0.25 h |
Important information!
There is no official hiking trail from the Brienzer Rothorn to the Harder Kulm (or vice versa)
The hiking trail ends at the "Chruterepass" - there is no official route via Tannhorn - Allgäu Lücke to Blasenhubel.
The team at Brienz Rothorn Railway, mountain hotel Rothorn Kulm and Brienz Tourism do not recommend this ascent of the ridge between Chruterepass and Blasenhubel and provide no information on the condition of the path. If you decide to do it anyway: you should be in top (!) physical condition and an experienced hiker (with appropriate equipment).
In addition, the ground on the ridge must be absolutely snow-free and dry - one wrong step can lead to death. The weather must also be sunny and dry at least two days before your hike. On your hiking day, it should be neither changeable nor windy and bring as much water as you can carry, as there are no water sources along the way. It would be best to book a mountain guide. The trail is not checked for condition and you walk it entirely at your own risk.
An insight into this section:
The Brienzer Rothorn high-altitude hike
The high-altitude hike from the Brienzer Rothorn to the Turren (or vice versa) offers you a unique panorama of the surrounding mountain peaks as far as the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The turquoise-blue Lake Brienz and shimmering emerald-green Lake Lunger glisten in the valley below.
Take the steam train from Brienz to Rothorn Kulm - the hike from Brienzer Rothorn to Lungern Schönbühl takes around 2h30. Once there, you can take a break on the beautiful panoramic terrace at the Bärghuis Schönbühl. After refreshments, hike to Turren (approx. 1h 30) and take the Lungern-Turren cable car to Lungern.
Hiking time approx. 4h
There is no combined ticket for the railway and the cable car. The individual tickets can be purchased at the valley or mountain station of the Lungern-Turren cable car and at the mountain and valley stations as well as in the Brienz Rothorn Railway webshop.
