Mount Niesen (2’362 m) is a very popular destination for hikers and hunters of great views.

Pyramid-shaped mountain

Its shape resembles an Egyptian pyramid, dusted with snow at the top. It is pleasant to look at, especially when standing on the other side of Lake Thun and seeing its reflection in the blue water (Spring Walk at Lake Thunersee).

You will be taken to the top of Niesen by the overground railway, which started with tourists for the first time on 15 July 1910. I suppose its appearance has changed little since then. After all, the retro style is timeless. Squeaks and creaks are included.

The starting station of the cable car is in the village of Mülenen.

A run up the stairs to the top of Niesen

In addition to the Niesenbahn cable car, a staircase with 11,674 steps leads to the summit, which is located right next to the cable car track. The stairs are only opened during the annual Niesen run – the Treppenlauf.

It is only 3.5 kilometres long, but with an incline of more than 60 per cent and an altitude difference of 1’669 metres, it is not the easiest of runs. And it was first organised in 1990.

A few words about the route

The route I propose starts a few hundred metres below the Niesen summit, at the intermediate station Schwandegg. Already from here you have a great view of the Thuner- and Brienzersee. And this is just the beginning of the experience. The higher you go, the more stunning the mountain panorama becomes.

Once you have reached the summit, you can decide whether you want to go all the way down from here, or whether you want to go down to Schwandegg station and only get on the cable car there. The descent is quite steep, but it goes quite smoothly. But before you decide, enjoy the place.

On a sunny day, the Niesen summit is bustling with life. You have to be lucky to find a free table in a restaurant. People come here quite crowded.

Paragliders and glider pilots also like it here. Their sky-high displays also provide us, stepping on the summit, with a lot of great sensations.

It is definitely worth a trip here or a ride on the Niesenbahn overground railway.