Ridge walk between Schynige Platte and Faulhorn with continuous panoramas of Lake Thun, Lake Brienz, and the Eiger-Mönch-Jungfrau trio. Alpine garden with 600 indigenous plant species.
The Schynige Platte Panorama Trail runs along a high Alpine ridge in the Bernese Oberland, connecting Schynige Platte at 1,967 metres with Faulhorn summit at 2,681 metres and offering continuous panoramas of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau trio to the south and the twin lakes of Thun and Brienz to the north. The one-way route covers approximately 12 kilometres with around 400 metres of net ascent and is typically completed in four hours. Schynige Platte is reached by a historic rack railway from Wilderswil, a short train ride from Interlaken Ost. The railway operates from late May to late October and is included with the Swiss Travel Pass. Driving to Wilderswil is possible; the rack railway journey to Schynige Platte takes approximately 50 minutes. The descent from Faulhorn to First gondola station above Grindelwald connects by gondola to Grindelwald and then by train to Interlaken, making a clean one-way traverse the most popular configuration. The trail surface alternates between well-maintained gravel path, compacted earth through alpine meadow, and short rocky sections on the ridge crest near Faulhorn. The entire ridge is exposed to wind and sun throughout; there is no tree cover above Schynige Platte station. The Alpine Botanical Garden at Schynige Platte, containing over 600 indigenous high-altitude plant species arranged in habitat zones, sits directly at the trailhead and deserves 30 to 45 minutes before the walk begins. Between Schynige Platte and Faulhorn, the ridge offers simultaneous visibility of both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz — a pairing unique to this elevation and angle in the Bernese Oberland. The Berghotel Faulhorn at 2,681 metres, one of Switzerland's oldest continuously operating mountain inns, provides refreshments and emergency shelter at the high point. On the descent toward First, panoramic views of the Bachalpsee lake appear below. Water is available at Schynige Platte station restaurant, the Faulhorn hotel, and a seasonal kiosk near Bachalpsee; no water sources exist on the exposed ridge sections between these points.
Trail facts
- Trail area
- Interlaken area, Bernese Oberland
- Best season
- Late June to mid-October
Highlights
- Eiger-Mönch-Jungfrau panorama
- Alpine botanical garden
- Lakes Thun and Brienz views
- Faulhorn summit
Tips for visiting
- Walk from Schynige Platte to First rather than the reverse to take advantage of the rack railway schedule and avoid a net uphill finish in tired legs.
- Reserve a table or book a room at Berghotel Faulhorn in advance; it has limited capacity and fills weeks ahead in July and August.
- The ridge is fully exposed throughout — a windproof layer and sun protection are essential even on cloudless days, as wind speeds on the ridge can be surprisingly strong.
- Visit the Alpine Botanical Garden at Schynige Platte station before departing; it opens with the first morning train and provides excellent context for the wildflowers seen along the ridge.
- Check First gondola operating hours before starting: if the gondola is out of service for maintenance, the return to Grindelwald must be made on foot, adding approximately 2 hours.
When to visit
Early July to mid-September for reliably snow-free ridge conditions; wildflowers along the Schynige Platte approach peak in mid-July, making this the most scenic window of the hiking season.
Accessibility
The Schynige Platte Panorama Trail involves sustained ridge walking on rocky and exposed terrain with significant elevation change and is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers. The Alpine Botanical Garden at Schynige Platte station has some flat, paved paths accessible to limited-mobility visitors arriving by rack railway.
Frequently asked questions
How do visitors reach Schynige Platte?
The Schynige Platte rack railway departs from Wilderswil station, reachable in under 10 minutes by train from Interlaken Ost. The rack railway journey takes approximately 50 minutes and is included with the Swiss Travel Pass. The railway operates from late May to late October.
Is Berghotel Faulhorn open for day visitors?
Yes. Berghotel Faulhorn serves hot food and drinks to passing hikers and is one of the most celebrated mountain rest stops in the Bernese Oberland. The hotel also offers overnight accommodation in simple dormitory and private rooms; day visitors typically stop here for lunch before descending to First.
What is the Alpine Botanical Garden at Schynige Platte?
The Alpengarten Schynige Platte is run by the University of Berne and contains over 600 indigenous Alpine plant species arranged in habitat zones. Admission is approximately CHF 3; the garden is open daily during the rack railway operating season from late May to late October.
Can the route be walked in the reverse direction from First to Schynige Platte?
Yes, but the reverse direction involves a net ascent of approximately 750 metres from First to Faulhorn, making it physically harder. The one-way traverse from Schynige Platte to First is more popular because it aligns with the rack railway schedule and places the steepest terrain early in the day.
Are there risks of snow on the ridge in early season?
Snow can persist on the exposed ridge sections between Faulhorn and Schynige Platte until late June in a typical year. Icy patches on the ridge crest are possible as late as early July. Microspikes or walking poles with rubber feet are advisable for the Faulhorn approach before mid-July.