Niesen funicular railway

The Niesenbahn was the one thing my daughter saw before our trip to Switzerland and had requested to do, luckily it was only 20 mins of the train from where we were staying. The views at the top were absolutely stunning and we enjoyed it immensely, the only thing we’re we’re a little surprised at was how we were packed into the funicular. I realise they have a lot of people to get up and back down the mountain but I expected a bit more order rather than almost being shoved in and it being pretty overcrowded. We weren’t able to stay together as a family and from where my daughter stood, she wasn’t able to see out very much as people blocked her view. Note to others, think about going early or later in the day and not late morning which is when we (and everyone else) turned up!

PROS • Fun • Clean • Interesting • Great views as we ascend • Good efficient boarding process • Helpful staff • Included in the Regional Pass-Berner Oberland • Immediate and easy access from the train on the Lötschberg line (less than five minutes journey from Spiez)- but “stop on request” for Mülenen. One sees the fun icular from the train CONS This is popular and therefore, it is possible that the carriages will be crowded or full (especially for descent towards the end of the day “I VISITED THIS PLACE”… … when I had a half afternoon day and we were in Spiez and it seemed like the perfect start to our wonderful holiday. It sure was pleasant, and I recommend this. ADVICE- do it

I loved everything: from a nice lady at ticket office, to smiling drivers, helpful team and big opened windows to film the beauty of the nature in the way! Thanks it was an amazing experience

We enjoyed a lovely day first riding up the steep mountain, approx. 30 mins. in total changing the trains half way through. After the middle station the view opens up. The breathtaking view on the top is worth the ride. But depending on the fitness of a visitor any walks farther than the top of the mounting can be challenging. The mountain is perfectly situated for sunrise and sunset views!

Nice trip to the summit, either by funiculaire or by hiking. Both is fine. The funi runs every 30 minutes but more often when needed. Prices are expensive when you don't have any reduction cards, but then again, it's worth the great from from the summit.

The ride up on the funicular was great with superb views. We walked around and photographed and had a drink before lunging up at 12:45 pm to go back down on the 1:15 scheduled tram. An hour later we were told that they had a mechanical issue with the first leg of the trip and it might be another hour before we could go down. We had skipped lunch thinking we would get something after we got down. The line of people waiting kept getting longer. Finally they said we could ride down the first leg of the funicular but would have to walk down the rest of the way — a multi hour trip for good hikers. Then they said if we hiked 20 minutes a taxi would pick us up. There were old people, people with infants, people like me in sandals — not dressed for mountain hiking. When we got to the pickup point it was total chaos. Not organized, everyone trying to get on vehicles, a zoo. We finally got down at 4:15 pm and immediately tried to get a refund which was denied. I was SO angry.

First I felt it was quite expensive trip but after riding up and down it was well spent money. Whole family enjoyed the ride and the magnificent view. Well organized, no waiting lines and adequate service

One of the crown jewels in the Interlaken area; off the beaten path, normal tourist won't make it here but, it's one the most spectacular rides in the Bernese Oberland area. Slightly more expensive than most funiculars but, ride is a part of the Bernese-Oberland Regional Pass Network; reserve minimum of 3 hours. The hiking trail to the top offers spectacular views, Class 1 all the way with numerous switch backs; reserve 5 hours to hike to the top. We will hike next time. The restaurant at the top is good.

For a country with such an extensive train system, we were surprised it was so expensive to travel by train. This funicular rail was no exception since it cost 57EUR each to make the round trip. It was a very steep ride up but with great views of the valley below and the houses perched on the hillsides. We brought along a picnic lunch to eat on top. The day was blustery and not many people were at the top, so we occupied one of the multiple vacant picnic tables outside of the restaurant. In a few minutes, a server came out to take an order. When we told her we were just using one of the tables for our lunch, she shooed us away. We were surprised by this because the situation reminded us of a US ski resort, where the outdoor decks are free to use whether you buy your food inside or bring your own. There was one picnic table near the funicular loading area so we went back to it and ate there. Just above this table is the summit of the mountain and an easy trail to reach the top. There were many wildflowers blooming to admire and for photo close-ups.

We went there on July 16 with our children and grandchildren. The weather was gorgeous and we all enjoyed the very impressive funicular trip and the VIEW over Bern, Thun, the Thunersee, Interlaken, etc. The views are just astonishing and much, much better than from the top of Jungfrau which is so high up that all details are lost and surrounding mountains look like molehills. There are only 3 short tunnels which is an added advantage when compared with the terrifying tunnel inside the Jungfrau. There are virtually no foreign tourists and the top platforms never get crowded (which once again compares very favourably with the chaos of the Jungfrau). We had our picnic lunch at the top and did not sample the hotel/restaurant fare so cannot comment on it (prices are understandably very high). Fares 2017 are CHF 57 for a round-trip ticket (CHF28.50 for children 6-16). You will finf the website if you google "niesen". Highly recommended.

Travelling up the Niesen pyramid in this funicular is a truly impressive experience. The railway is so steep it's incredible. The views open up around you and the houses below shrink to a tiny size. The views from the top are astounding, and you may spot Alpine choughs flying around; indeed they're not shy, and may be interested in your picnic! There is a small playground near the summit for younger children.

Take Niesenbahn (funicular tram) nearly 7000 feet to top of the "pyramid of Switzerland). Opened in 1910, it provides an unrivaled view of valley and lakes below. Can also see EIGER, Mounch and Jungfrau.

The pyramid-shaped Niesen in the Bernese Oberland is perhaps one of the less glamourous mountain top destinations in Switzerland and, as a result, is usually less crowded even in summer. It is well worth a visit. It can be reached by a charming and well-preserved funicular from the base station at Mülenen to the mountain top at an altitude of 2,362m. The very steep ascent in two wagons is divided in two sections with an intermediate station at Schwandegg, with a maximum gradient of 69% in the second section, and reaching the upper terminus station at Niesen Kulm in 30 minutes. From the top (on a reasonably clear day), on a 360° viewing platform, you can enjoy truly magnificent panoramic views over the Bernese alps and the Simmen valley, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. The restaurant at the Mountain Lodge Niesen Kulm is in a transparent glass pavilion and there is also seating and a sundeck outside. It offers excellent food from an extensive menu (table service, rather than the usual self-service buffets commonly found at Swiss mountain top restaurants), and with very friendly service. There are special culinary events on some days, including a 5 course ‘Fullmoon Dinner’. Also at the top is the 'Niesendörfli', a miniature village family attraction and playground for small children. Ascent from the base station is every hour on the hour, while descent departs at a quarter past the hour every hour. There are also evening trips on some days during the summer. A return ticket costs CHF57.00 or CHF28.50 with a Swiss pass or other concessionary ticket/pass. If you travel on your birthday you travel for free. A nice touch this, but you will have to show proof of your birthday with a pass or identity card! Mülenen can be reached by train. From Thun it is about a 16 minutes ride (hourly trains, in the direction of Brig), from Spiez it is just 5 minutes. Somewhat surprisingly, and considering that this station leads to a major tourist attraction, Mülenen is only a request stop. This means you must push the request stop button on the train (which you can find on the inside of the carriage door and, on the return trip, push the prominently marked button at the entrance to the station.) However, in practice this may not be necessary as other passengers may well have pushed the request stop button before you do. Adjacent to the funicular is the longest staircase in the world with 11,674 steps, the venue of the annual ‘Niesen Treppenlauf’ (Staircase race, usually in June each year). Other than on racing day the staircase is normally closed to the public. Reaching the top is reportedly the equivalent of climbing the Empire State Building more than 7 times!