ViaBerna - Stage 14 Isenfluh - Schynige Platte

The hike begins in the mountain village of Isenfluh and leads over the old church path through forest and past streams and waterfalls down to the valley floor at Zweilütschinen. From the station building, you go downstream to the railway bridge over the Schwarze Lütschine. After the bridge, the path turns onto the old valley road into the Grindelwald valley and leads through the village of Gündlischwand. After leaving the village, the actual ascent to Iselten begins. In wide and tight switchbacks, the path winds uphill through shady forest. In an area with loose rock formations, it squeezes through a rock gate formed by two steep limestone rocks. The locals call this passage "Angel's Gate," because if you're very good, you are supposed to hear the angels sing here. In Ussren Blatti, the open alpine pastures begin, with a wonderful view deep into the Grindelwald valley. From the huts of Ausserläger, you overlook the whole pasture basin of Alp Iselten and climb through the sunny slope to Oberberg. From here, the trail coming from Faulhorn leads to Schynige Platte. The view of the Jungfrau group is overwhelming.

Especially during high water, the confluence of the Schwarze Lütschine and Weisse Lütschine at Zweilütschinen presents an impressive sight: From the east, the darkly colored waters of the Schwarze Lütschine, stained by slate mud, surge in and mix with the water of the Weisse Lütschine, which originates in the limestone-rich Lauterbrunnen valley.

The Schynige Platte is accessible by a cogwheel railway from the "Belle Epoque" and is a popular starting point for many hikes. Wooden benches in the train cars, rolling stock from the 19th century, and the historical uniforms of the train attendants recall times gone by.

Climbing onto a rock ledge at life-threatening risk to discover rare mountain flowers? This is not necessary in the botanical alpine garden on Schynige Platte. To see the edelweiss up close, no one needs to put themselves in danger. In the alpine garden, it grows together with black gentian, the paradise lily, and around 650 other species in an easily accessible environment. On a roughly one-kilometer-long circular route, visitors can observe two-thirds of the entire alpine flora and walk through artificially created terrains such as the primary rock field or the lime scree slope, where very specific species thrive. Ice axes, ropes, and carabiners can stay at home.