Schynige Platte is a vast natural space, a natural plateau, and a diverse alpine botanical garden specializing in the display of and research into the high-altitude flora of Switzerland.

Schynige Platte is a mountain with magical landscapes, which offers breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding lakes and mountains. It is also a starting point for many hikes, Schynige Platte is a huge playground for nature lovers.

From the short panoramic walk to the trek of several hours through escarpments, karst landscapes, vertiginous cliffs, and alpine forests. It’s a real pleasure. The paths are well-marked and maintained. Here and there, chains and stairs facilitate the ascent.

How to get to Schynige Platte?

Located near Interlaken, you reach the Schynige Platte and its alpine garden with a cogwheel train which is slow, very very slow. Unless you go up there on foot and discover all the charm of the region.

The cogwheel train

The Schynigne Platte Railway has been operating for more than 125 years and most locomotives are still in their original condition! Sit back, relax, and enjoy the sweeping views of the lakes, surrounding mountainscapes, and even the Valley of 72 Waterfalls!

The train runs every day from July to mid-October.

Did you know you can get a return ticket to Schynige Platte for only CHF44 with your guest card? When you check in at Balmers Hostel, you will receive a guest card that allows you to travel by bus to Interlaken for free.

Hiking to the top of Schynige Platte

If you decide to not take the train, it is one of the most beautiful hikes around the lakes of Interlaken, but also one of the most difficult.

Starting point: Wilderswil
You will start with a very difficult ascent of 4 hours to Schynige Platte (550 – 1967 altitude) but there is the possibility of taking the cogwheel train to avoid the climb.

1. Schynige Platte – Faulhorn. Hike on magnificent ridges with a view of Lake Brienz and Lake Thun on one side and the glacier on the other. Faulhorn is located at an altitude of 2690m. About 3 hours

2. Faulhorn-Bachalpsee. Descent to the lake with a view of the Glacier. About 1h15

3. Bachalpsee – First. Allow 1 hour for a hike with an incredible panorama.
Possibility to descend by cable car to First and take the train to return to the starting point.
In total it will take 25km from the start.

Most people tend to do this trip the other way around or even take the train up to the top and then back. But it is up to you.

In reality, it is a pretty challenging hike, with a combination of short and serious elevation gains, together with a wooded, rocky trail that was uneven underfoot and a route that had an endless amount of switchbacks.

About halfway up the mountain is the station of Breitlauenen 1,542 m (5,059 ft), an immediate station where the trains can pass and a location with overnight accommodation for hikers. It is a lovely place nestled in the alpine meadows, awash with impressive panoramic views.

Close to the actual summit, the views open up even more, and there are a series of impressive narrow paths and dramatic drops that require a steady footing, nerves of steel, and perhaps a good idea not to look down.

At the top, the summit of Schynige Platte is regarded as a hidden gem, with great views from the top and the setting for many a great hike, notably a six-hour jaunt over to First, Grindelwald, which is one to do in the future.

Discover Schynige Platte

As soon as you ascend the funicular, you will be impressed by the magical panorama of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau as well as the surrounding peaks. Take a walk in the picturesque Alpine Garden or hike up in altitude in front of an unforgettable panorama. After your hike, you can relax on the sun terrace of the century-old mountain hotel and enjoy yourself.

🌺 Schynige Platte is home to the most beautiful & best-known flowers from the Swiss Alps. Here you can find 777 alpine plants in their natural environment! There are always some flowers blooming on the Schynige Platte. In June, crocuses and gentians announce the beginning of springtime on the mountain. In July, stars like the alpine rose and edelweiss line the way. In August, the carpet of flowers reaches its colorful peak

🎵 Every day between 11 am-2 pm you can watch a live performance of alphorn (Switzerland’s most traditional musical instrument) players.

🥾There are numerous hiking trails that start on Schynige Platte with the shortest called “The Natural Cinema” taking just under 25min to complete. If you’re up for a challenge, Switzerland’s most beautiful high-Alpine trail through wonderfully varied scenery to First mountain also begins here and takes 6 hours to complete.

The panorama hike on the Schynige Platte lets you marvel at both Lake Brienz and the majestic mountain trio of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.