Harder Kulm: the top of Interlaken

Harder Kulm: Interlaken’s rooftop

If you are staying in Interlaken and want a panoramic overview of the region before committing to the bigger mountain excursions, Harder Kulm (1,322m) is the perfect starting point. A 10-minute funicular ride from Interlaken Ost station lifts you above the valley to a viewpoint that frames the entire Bernese Oberland in one sweep: Lake Thun to the west, Lake Brienz to the east, the town of Interlaken nestled between them, and the great peaks of the Jungfrau massif — the Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger — rising behind.

The centrepiece is the Two Lakes Bridge, a wooden and steel structure built out over the cliff edge. Standing on the bridge, you are suspended above the forest with both lakes visible below and the Alps behind. It is one of the most photographed viewpoints in the Bernese Oberland and takes about 3 minutes to walk to from the funicular station.

Harder Kulm is often overlooked by visitors focused on the bigger mountains. That is their loss. At CHF 34 roundtrip (or free with 50% off on the Swiss Travel Pass), it is the most affordable mountain viewpoint in the region, requires no planning, and delivers genuinely spectacular views.

Getting to Harder Kulm

The Harder Kulm funicular departs from directly beside Interlaken Ost railway station. You cannot miss the funicular station — it is signposted from the platform and takes about 2 minutes to walk from the train.

Trains run every 15 minutes during operating hours. The funicular takes about 10 minutes to reach the summit. No reservations needed — simply show up and buy a ticket.

Operating hours: March to November (closed in winter). Typically 09:00 to 21:00 in peak summer, shorter hours in spring and autumn. Check the Harder Kulm website for current 2026 seasonal hours.

The funicular is closed December to February. If you are visiting Interlaken in winter and want a mountain view, the area around Schynige Platte (also covered by Swiss Travel Pass) is an alternative, though it has its own seasonal closure. The Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn are open year-round from their respective access points.

Ticket prices 2026

• Roundtrip adult ticket: approximately CHF 34
• Swiss Travel Pass: 50% discount — approximately CHF 17 roundtrip
• Children 6-15: approximately CHF 17 roundtrip
• Children under 6: free
• Family tickets: available — check current pricing online

The 50% Swiss Travel Pass discount makes Harder Kulm one of the best pass benefits in the Bernese Oberland. At CHF 17 roundtrip, it is essentially negligible cost compared to the region’s bigger excursions. For the full picture on pass discounts, see our Swiss Travel Pass guide.

Interlaken funicular ticket to Harder Kulm (GetYourGuide)

What to see and do at Harder Kulm

The Two Lakes Bridge

The Two Lakes Bridge (Zweilütschinen-Brücke-Aussichtsplattform — referred to on signs simply as the Two Lakes Bridge) is a wooden walkway built out from the cliff face at the restaurant terrace, suspending you above the treeline with Lake Thun and Lake Brienz framed on either side of Interlaken below. The metal grille floor in the middle section is transparent — you look down through your feet into the forest 700 metres below.

The bridge is the undisputed highlight of Harder Kulm and is included in the funicular ticket. It takes about 5-10 minutes to walk out, pause, and return. The best photograph is taken from the end of the bridge looking back toward the restaurant building with the lakes in the background — almost every Interlaken tourism image you have ever seen was taken from approximately this position.

Alpine wildlife: ibex on Harder Kulm

One of the lesser-known attractions of Harder Kulm is the small colony of Alpine ibex (Steinbock) that live around the summit. These large, sure-footed members of the goat family have impressive curved horns and are completely unintimidated by visitors. In spring and summer, it is common to see several ibex grazing within metres of the restaurant terrace. Do not feed them, but do photograph them — ibex at close range against an alpine backdrop is a rare and memorable sight.

The ibex colony was re-introduced to the Harder in the 20th century as part of wider Swiss efforts to restore wild ibex to their historic range in the Alps. The population is now self-sustaining and growing.

Hiking from Harder Kulm

The summit is the starting point for several hiking routes in the Harder massif:

Harder Kulm to Bönigen (2.5 hours, moderate): A descent through forest and meadows to the village of Bönigen on the shore of Lake Brienz. The trail passes a small waterfall and crosses alpine pastures. Rewarding and not too strenuous.

Harder Kulm to Brienz (4-5 hours, strenuous): A full-day ridge walk along the crest of the Harder to the town of Brienz at the eastern end of Lake Brienz. Excellent views throughout, but requires proper footwear and fitness.

Short loop near the summit (45 minutes, easy): A marked circular trail from the funicular station through the forest and back, with several viewpoints. Suitable for families with children.

In summer, the walking trails are well-marked and in good condition. In spring, some sections may be muddy after snowmelt. Always carry water and a snack even on short walks.

Watching the sunrise and sunset

Harder Kulm faces east across Lake Brienz — a perfect orientation for sunrise. The first funicular of the morning (typically around 09:00, though special sunrise funicular trips are sometimes organised — check with Harder Kulm) arrives before the main crowds. Alternatively, the last funicular of the evening (around 21:00 in summer) gives you sunset light on the Jungfrau massif to the south, which turns gold and then orange in the hour before darkness.

The restaurant stays open until the last funicular descends, so you can stay for the full sunset without rushing.

The restaurant at Harder Kulm

The Top o’ Met restaurant at the summit is one of the better mountain restaurants in the Bernese Oberland. The building perches right on the cliff edge with a large glass-fronted dining room and a terrace. The interior is warm and welcoming, with views framing the Two Lakes panorama from every window table.

The menu features Swiss classics — fresh lake trout from Lake Brienz, rösti with various toppings, cheese fondue in the evenings — alongside more casual options (soups, sandwiches, cakes). Prices are reasonable by Swiss mountain standards:

• Main courses: CHF 22-38
• Soup and bread: CHF 12-16
• Coffee: CHF 4-5
• Local beer: CHF 6

The fondue in the evenings (reservation recommended) is particularly popular for the combination of traditional Swiss food and the illuminated lakes and mountains below. Interlaken town lights up clearly at dusk and makes the evening visit a different experience from the daytime panorama.

The evening funicular schedule in summer typically allows dinner visits — check current times to confirm the last descent.

Practical tips

When to go

Morning: The mountain air is typically clearest before noon. The Jungfrau group is usually visible on clear mornings from around May through October. The ibex are most active in the cooler morning hours.

Evening: The Two Lakes Bridge and restaurant gain a different atmosphere as the sun sets to the west over Lake Thun and the lights of Interlaken appear below. The last funicular gives a natural cut-off that prevents overcrowding at sunset.

Avoid after rain: The forest paths can be slippery after rainfall. The viewpoint itself is fine in any weather, but the walk on the bridge in a strong wind is less enjoyable. The restaurant is a good option on cloudy or rainy days — the views are still impressive even in overcast conditions.

What to wear

At 1,322 metres, Harder Kulm is significantly cooler than Interlaken but not alpine-extreme. A light jacket is sufficient in summer. The bridge can be windy — a layer for the wind is useful. In spring and autumn, bring a proper warm layer.

How long to spend

The bridge, restaurant, and a short walk around the summit can be covered in 1.5-2 hours. If you plan to hike down rather than take the funicular back, allow 3-4 hours in total. Many visitors combine Harder Kulm with a half-day in Interlaken town.

Combining Harder Kulm with other Interlaken activities

Harder Kulm is the ideal warm-up or wind-down for bigger Bernese Oberland excursions. Because it requires no planning and takes only 10 minutes to reach, it fits naturally into any Interlaken day.

The morning before Jungfraujoch: Take the 09:00 funicular to Harder Kulm, enjoy the view and have coffee, descend by 11:00, then catch the early afternoon train to Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen for the Jungfraujoch connection. Note: if you want to do the Good Morning Ticket at Jungfraujoch, you will need to start from Interlaken before 08:00, making Harder Kulm better for the day after.

Combining with Grindelwald First: Grindelwald First for the adventure activities in the morning, Harder Kulm in the evening for the sunset view. Both are in the Bernese Oberland and the combination gives a great contrast between adrenaline activities and peaceful panoramic contemplation.

Rest day views: If you have taken the time and effort of Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn and want a quieter day before moving on, Harder Kulm is perfect. Two hours, no planning, spectacular views, good food.

Interlaken as a base

Interlaken sits at the geographic and logistical centre of the Bernese Oberland, making it the most convenient base for visiting multiple mountains. From Interlaken Ost station, you can reach:

• Harder Kulm funicular: 2-minute walk
• Grindelwald: 35 minutes by train
• Lauterbrunnen (for Schilthorn): 20 minutes by train
• Jungfraujoch: 2 hours via Grindelwald/Eiger Express

For Interlaken hotels, restaurants, and more activities including paragliding, see our full Interlaken guide.

Harder Kulm in winter

The funicular closes from late November to early March, which is a genuine limitation for winter visitors. However, if you are visiting Interlaken in winter (which is less common but increasingly popular as a base for skiing in Grindelwald), note that the closure applies.

In late autumn (October to November) and early spring (March to early April), the mountain can have snow on the upper paths while the funicular is still operating — the contrast of snowy peaks in the background and autumn foliage or spring wildflowers in the foreground makes these among the most photogenic times.

Photography guide

The classic shots from Harder Kulm:

The Two Lakes panorama: From the end of the bridge, looking southwest with Lake Thun on the left and Lake Brienz on the right. Best in morning light (east-facing lake is well-lit) or in soft overcast conditions.

The Jungfrau group with the valley: From the terrace, looking south-southeast. The Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger appear in the centre-left of the frame, with the Interlaken valley below. Best in early morning before haze.

The ibex: They wander close to the terrace and are photographable with any camera. A 50-100mm equivalent lens frames them well with the mountains behind.

Evening lights: From about 60 minutes before sunset, the light turns golden on the Jungfrau group. The illuminated valley after dark is dramatic from the restaurant windows.

Accessibility

The funicular cabin is accessible for wheelchairs and prams, though the gradient is steep. The Two Lakes Bridge and main terrace are accessible at summit level. Some of the hiking trails involve steps and uneven terrain unsuitable for wheelchairs. Contact the funicular operator in advance for specific accessibility requirements.

Is Harder Kulm worth it?

At CHF 34 (or CHF 17 with Swiss Travel Pass), Harder Kulm is the best-value mountain viewpoint in the Bernese Oberland. It does not compete with Jungfraujoch for altitude or Schilthorn for drama, but for a quick, easy, and genuinely beautiful view of the region it is hard to beat. The ibex colony, the Two Lakes Bridge, and the Top o’ Met restaurant combine to make it a memorable 2-hour stop.

For first-time visitors to Interlaken, it is the essential orientation — once you have seen the Two Lakes Bridge view, you understand the geography of the Bernese Oberland and can plan your bigger excursions with confidence.

For more ideas in the region, see our mountains overview, day trips from Lucerne, and 7-day Switzerland itinerary.