When researching what to do in Switzerland you’re bound to come across the turquoise Lake Brienz, and the wonderful viewpoint from the Brienz Rothorn. But the Brienz Rothorn is more than just a great view: it it also home to the only daily steam rack railway in Switzerland, and is a starting point to additional challenging hikes. Whether you’re outdoorsy or not, the Brienz Rothorn has a lot to offer the swiss explorer!
About Brienz Rothorn
The Brienz Rothorn is a 2,350m tall mountain in the Emmental Alps. It is located on the edge of three swiss cantons: Bern, Obwalden, and Lucerne. From the top there is a great view of Lake Brienz, along with 693 other mountain peaks across the horizon.
In addition to sweeping panoramic views, the Brienz Rothorn is home to the Brienz-Rothorn Railway: the oldest steam rack railway in Switzerland. The 7.6 km (4.7 mi) long railway has been in operation since 1891 and takes about an hour each way, including a short stop in Planalp to refill the train’s water tank. Unlike most European railways that are electric, the Brienz-Rothorn Railway is operated by steam power. Add to that that it is also the 4th highest railway in Switzerland… this is definitely a must see for locomotive fans!
Once you arrive at the top of the mountain you can enjoy the views of the surrounding alps and Lake Brienz, have lunch at the Berghaus, or use this as the starting point in a longer hike.
Preparation
Whenever visiting a mountain viewpoint in Switzerland it’s always good to check the weather on the morning of your trip. Cloudy weather can ruin the day so be flexible with your scheduling and double check the weather before getting ready for the day.
Once you are ready to leave make sure to grab sunscreen, sunglasses, and to dress in light layers. While the Brienz Rothorn is not particularly high compared to other mountains in the alps, it is still a mountain, and you should expect it be chilly and windy. While it’s unlikely to see snow, light layers and a backpack will allow you to adjust as necessary throughout your visit. Additionally, the steam train to the top can be cold due to the open windows, so layers are important!
If you’re planning to use the Brienz Rothorn as a starting point for a larger hike make sure to wear good shoes!
How to get to to Brienz
To get to Brienz Rothorn you first need to get to Brienz! From there you will take the Brienz-Rothorn steam train straight to the top.
I’ll go over a few ways to arrive in Brienz from different origins. For exact times and prices I recommend Google Maps or (even better) the SBB App, the official app for Zurich public transport that allows you to purchase the tickets right in the app!
The half-fare card will save you money on all of these routes. Check out my Zurich Transportation Guide to learn more about tickets and potential discounts. While this guide is specific to Zurich, many of the discounts covered (like the half-fare card) are valid across Switzerland.
luggage storage
If you’re traveling with luggage, the Brienz Tourism office offers free luggage storage during business hours. Check their website for specific hours – they vary by the month and are closed during lunch. The office is located right next to the Brienz Rothorn railway station, just across the the Brienz train station.
Interlaken to Brienz
If you’re staying at Lake Brienz overnight you might be staying at the nearby Interlaken on the other side of Lake Brienz. You have two main modes of public transportation to get to Brienz: train and boat. You can take the train from Interlaken towards Meiringen and get off in Brienz in about 20 minutes. The train runs right next to the lake, so try to get a seat on the lake side of the train to see some views! Thew ticket will cost around CHF 8.20 without discounts.
If you have a bit more time, consider taking the 75-minute long boat ride from Interlaken to Brienz. The boat trip makes several stops along the lake and ends in Brienz.
The train is faster and much more affordable, but the boat is definitely not to be missed when visiting Lake Brienz! Both the train station and the boat dock are located right next to the Brienz Rothorn railway station.
Lucerne to Brienz
There is a direct train straight from Lucern to Brienz that takes 1.5 hours. Board the Lucerne-Interlaken express train towards Interlaken Ost and get off at Brienz. This ticket will cost around CHF 28 without discounts. This is a great day trip option from Lucerne, or maybe even a quick stop off on the way to somewhere else!
Bern to Brienz
There are several trains that run directly from Bern to Interlaken that take about an hour. From Interlaken Ost, change trains or take the boat across the lake. See the Interlaken to Brienz section above for more details. The total route will cost around CHF 34 without discounts.
Zurich to Brienz
Zurich to Brienz takes about 2.5 hours, with routes available through Bern and through Lucerne. Use Google Maps to determine which is best for your timing, and then see the Bern and Lucerne sections above to get to Brienz. If possible, I would recommend going through Lucerne for less transfers. This basic ticket from Zurich to Brienz without discounts will cost around CHF 48.
Brienz Rothorn Bahn (train)
The Brienz Rothorn Steam train in the 4th highest railway in Switzerland and the only daily steam train operation in Switzerland. As you wind up to the mountain summit you’ll see breathtaking views all while experiencing a truly unique mode of transportation.
You’ll board the train in Brienz and take it all the way to the mountain summit: Brienz Klum. First, arrive in Brienz, then head across the street from the Brienz Station to the Brienz Rothorn Bahn (BRB) where you can purchase your train tickets.
Train tickets are for a specific train departure time and cannot be used on future trains. The train has open seating.
travel tip: arrive early + seat guarantees
The Brienz Rothorn train can be quite popular so it is recommended that you arrive 30 minutes prior to your anticipated departure time to purchase tickets for your desired departure.
If you want to guarantee a specific time you can purchase your ticket ahead of time via the Brienz Rothorn train’s official website. They charge an CHF 8 / per ticket surcharge to confirm your ticket ahead of time, but it may be worth it if you want to guarantee a specific train!
Once you’re on the train enjoy the 1-hour trip up the mountain. You will pass through 5 small tunnels and there will be a short stop in Planalp to fill up the steam train’s water tank. This is the halfway point; wait on the train for your ride to resume.
In the case of the Brienz Rothorn Railway, the destination is just part of the journey. With the bright red train chugging along the alpine hillside the stream train provides a classic swiss experience! The trains have windows that open all the way providing a truly panoramic view on your way up the mountains; for the best possible view try to get a seat on the left side of the train on your way up. This is another reminder to dress warm since many passengers will have those windows wide open!
While the majority of the trains on this route are the classic steam train, there are also diesel trains that may be used in inclement weather or for other safely reasons.
Brienz Rothorn Bahn map
brienz rothorn bahn price
Like other trains in Switzerland a ticket to the top of Brienz Rothorn is not cheap, but there are ways to save some money! The swiss travel pass and swiss half fare card both provide a 50% discount on tickets for the Brienz Rothorn steam train.
There is also a discount for the first train of the morning. This is the 8:36am train on most mornings, and the 7:36am on Saturdays and Sundays in July, August, and September.
Another option to save some money on your train ticket is to purchase the Hiking Ticket. This ticket allows you to travel 3 of the 4 legs of the roundtrip. For example, ride from Brienz to the summit. After exploring the view from the top, hike down to Planalp where you can catch the train down to Brienz.
| Ticket Type | Full Price | Half Fare Price | Child Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round-trip ticket | CHF 94 | CHF 47 | CHF 10 |
| Early bird round-trip ticket | CHF 75 | CHF 37.50 | CHF 10 |
| Hiking round-trip ticket | CHF 75 | CHF 39.50 | CHF 10 |
| One-way ticket | CHF 61 | CHF 30.50 | CHF 5 |
| Early bird one-way ticket | CHF 49 | CHF 24.50 | CHF 5 |
Specialty tickets
In addition to their daily service, the Brienz Rothorn steam train offers some unique experiences. They famously offer tickets on their Steam Sausage Cruiser: a ride on the steam train that also features sausages cooked in the steam from the train, along with bread and beverages.
They also offer the Full Moon Dinner package which is a special trip up the mountain at night, lit by the light of the moon. You’ll enjoy a 3-course meal at the Rothorn Kulm restaurant at the top before descending back to Brienz.
Another option is the Salon Rouge Ride: a ride on a special train with a full multicourse luxury meal onboard.
All of these special train rides cost more than the typical ride, and are only available at special times. Check the official website for times, tickets, and prices.
When does Brienz Rothorn Bahn operate?
The Brienz Rothorn only operates in the summer time: June through October of each year. The timetable may be subject to change; here is the 2021 schedule:
Brienz departures
| Brienz BRB | 07.36* | 08.36 | 09.40 | 10.45 | 11.45 | 12.58 | 13.58 | 14.58 | 16.36 |
| Planalp | 08.02* | 09.03 | 10.07 | 11.12 | 12.15 | 13.27 | 14.27 | 15.27 | 17.03 |
| Rothorn | 08.36* | 09.31 | 10.35 | 11.43 | 12.45 | 13.57 | 14.57 | 15.57 | 17.31 |
Rothorn Kulm departures
| Rothorn | 09.06* | 09.38 | 11.15 | 12.20 | 13.28 | 14.28 | 15.28 | 16.28 | 17.40 |
| Planalp | 09.35* | 10.10 | 11.50 | 12.58 | 14.02 | 15.02 | 16.02 | 17.02 | 18.12 |
| Brienz BRB | 10.10* | 10.38 | 12.20 | 13.30 | 14.32 | 15.32 | 16.32 | 17.32 | 18.40 |
The Sorenberg-Brienzer Rothorn Cablecar
Once you’ve arrived at the top of Brienzer Rothorn you have another way to make your way down the mountain: the Sorenber-Brienzer Rothorn cablecar. Unlike the steam train, the cablecar only takes 15 minutes each way! From Sorenberg you can take to take a series of buses to return to your origin point; this may actually be slower than the steam train so make sure to check via google maps!
Similar to the steam train the cable car operates from June through October with roundtrip tickets costing about CHF 40 for adults. You can use your half-fare card or swiss travel pass for a 50% discount.
What to do at the Brienz Rothorn Summit
While the view from the Rothorn may be enough for most, there are even more adventures waiting for the truly outdoorsy. For the more delicate among us (me included!) there is also some dining opportunities!
Hikes from Brienz Rothorn
The most manageable and common hike is the walk from the Brienz Klum train platform (at 2,244m above sea level) to the Brienz Rothorn summit (2,350m). This is only a 15min walk, but it has serious elevation up a steep staircase so wear good shoes!
If you purchased the hiking ticket you may consider hiking down to Planalp to catch the steam train to Brienz. This takes about 2.5 hours and is all downhill!
For those looking for a full day hike check out the Brienz Rothorn hiking map for details on additional trails.
Where to eat at Brienz Rothorn
Even if you’re not hungry you may wish to check out the Berghaus Alpine Lodge. Located just a few minutes from the Brienzer Rothorn summit train station, this iconic hotel features a restaurant that boasts a gourmet menu and beautiful views. Right next door near the cable car station is the Rothorn Summit Restaurant with similar views and menu.
When to Visit the Brienz Rothorn
The main modes of transportation to Brienz Rothorn only run June through October, so it is recommend you visit during that time frame. These summer months should make it more likely for you to hit good weather that will result in a clear view of Lake Brienz and the alps.
How long to visit the Brienz Rothorn
Considering that the roundtrip steam train will take you at least 2 hours, I recommend 3-5 hours for your trip to Brienz Rothorn. If you’re not planning a hike then take 1 hour at the top to walk around and enjoy the scenery before the next train departs.
Where to stay at the Brienz Rothorn
If you have the time in your itinerary, you may consider staying a night at the top of the Brienz Rothorn. While the accommodations are not five-star, it is the only way to get those early morning views before the train starts moving. The Berghaus Alpine Lodge offers hostel style options for very reasonable rates, a full restaurant, and unparalleled views.
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**Featured image by Timon Studler
