Brienzer Rothorn
2,349 m
Switzerland
Also known as ბრინცერ-როთორნიAlso known as
ბრინცერ-როთორნი
- Elevation
- 2,349 m
- Prominence
- 1,348 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Sep
- Routes
- 1
Path closedReported 1 Aug 2024
A major debris flow on the Milibach in August 2024 (source gives month only) closed the stream-side path from Brienz past the Milibach waterfall until further notice; the hiking route to Planalp is diverted along the Trachtbach via Gäldried.
outdooractive.comAdvisoryReported 6 Jun 2026 · until 25 Oct 2026
Brienz Rothorn Railway 2026 season: trains run to Rothorn Kulm daily from 6 June to 25 October 2026.
brienz-rothorn-bahn.ch
Routes
1Sources differ: T3 (wanderungen.ch (Lättgässli variant))
A long, steep but straightforward mountain hike of about 1,780 m from the shore of Lake Brienz (566 m) through the Gäldried forest to Planalp, then over open alpine meadows past Oberstafel to the summit ridge and the top station of the steam rack railway. The railway or the Sörenberg cable car make easy descents.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 10.8 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,799 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,349 m
- Time Up
- 7h 23m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 5h 02m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From Brienz station, follow the Trachtbach to Gäldried and climb through the shaded Galdriedwald; the steep sections below Planalp need care. Since a major debris flow on the Milibach in August 2024 the old stream-side path past the Milibach waterfall has been closed, and the signed route follows the Trachtbach. Leave the forest just below Planalp (1,341 m), the halfway station of the railway with the Berghaus Planalp, about 2¼–2½ hours from Brienz. Above Planalp the path crosses meadows above the tree line past Mittelstafel and Oberstafel. At Greesgi the direct route goes right up the front slope, with views of the railway, to the summit ridge near the Rothorn Kulm top station (2,244 m); the alternative goes left to the Chruterepass and along the ridge to the steep, stepped and protected Lättgässli (T3, snow can linger early in the season), about 25 minutes longer. From the top station a short path leads to the summit (2,349 m) in under 20 minutes. Allow about 5 hours from Brienz (the railway quotes 5–6 hours). Most people descend by the steam railway to Brienz or the cable car to Sörenberg; on foot, Rothorn Kulm to Planalp takes 2½–3 hours. The last train down leaves Rothorn Kulm at 17:40.
Start
Brienz BRB577 m
- Brienz Rothorn Railway (steam rack railway, Brienz–Planalp–Rothorn Kulm); Sörenberg–Brienzer Rothorn cable car
- Train (Zentralbahn) or BLS boat to Brienz. Return by the Brienz Rothorn Railway (6 June – 25 October 2026 to the summit) or the cable car to Sörenberg (PostBus to Schüpfheim).
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brienz BRB → Brienzer Rothorn | 10.8 | 1,799 | 24 | 7h 23m |
Waypoints
- Station: Brienz BRB577 m
- Feature: Gäldried1,020 m
- Station: Planalp1,342 m
- Feature: Oberstafel1,807 m
- Lift: Brienzer Rothorn (Rothorn Kulm station)2,247 m
- Summit: Brienzer Rothorn2,349 m
Key Passages
- Steep forest path through the Galdriedwald below Planalp
- Open meadows past Oberstafel
- Optional Lättgässli (steps, protected, T3)
- Short path from Rothorn Kulm to the summit
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 80%Overview
The 2,349 m high point of the Emmental Alps and of the canton of Lucerne, where Bern, Lucerne and Obwalden meet above Lake Brienz. A steam rack railway from Brienz and a cable car from Sörenberg reach the top station; walkers can climb 1,780 m from the lake on a T2 path.
The Brienzer Rothorn rises steeply from the north shore of Lake Brienz. Its summit is a tripoint of three cantons (Bern, Lucerne and Obwalden) and the highest point of the canton of Lucerne, with over 1,300 m of prominence. From the top the view runs across the lake to the Bernese Alps, from the Wetterhorn and Eiger to the Jungfrau, and north over the Entlebuch and the Swiss Plateau.
Since 1892 the Brienz Rothorn Railway, an 800 mm gauge rack line with gradients up to 25 % and still mostly steam-hauled, has climbed 7.6 km from Brienz to Rothorn Kulm (2,244 m), a little below the summit. A cable car comes up the other side from Sörenberg. The summit area is therefore busy in summer, with a hotel and restaurants by the top station.
For walkers the classic challenge is the full climb from the lake: about 1,780 m of ascent on steep forest paths to Planalp and open meadows above, finishing at the railway's top station. The ridge east of the summit continues over the Arnihaaggen to the Brünig Pass, one of the region's best-known ridge walks.
Climbing Notes
The ascent from Brienz is a long but non-technical mountain hike: allow about 5 hours and be prepared for steep, sometimes slippery forest paths below Planalp. Good fitness for 1,780 m of ascent is the main requirement. Most people ride down by train or cable car; check the last departures (the last train leaves Rothorn Kulm at 17:40) and reserve a seat on fine days, as trains sell out. The railway also sells a hiking ticket covering three of its four sections.
The season for walkers is June to October, matching the railway season; snow can linger in the Lättgässli and on the upper slopes into June. The ridge traverse to the Brünig Pass and the Hardergrat to Interlaken are much more serious (T4–T5), exposed routes for experienced hikers only.
History
The Brienz Rothorn Railway opened on 17 June 1892 with Roman Abt's double rack system. Traffic was poor, and services stopped on 1 August 1914 with the outbreak of the First World War and did not resume until 13 June 1931. From 1953 to 1990 it was Switzerland's only steam-operated railway; new light-oil-fired steam locomotives were added in 1992 and 1996.
Season
Best Jul–Sep- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Not advisable
- April: Not advisable
- May: Possible
- June: Good
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Good
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Railway closed; winter sports area on the Sörenberg side only
- Feb
- Winter
- Mar
- Winter
- Apr
- Snow on the upper slopes
- May
- Snow on the upper slopes; railway not yet running to the summit
- Jun
- Railway to the summit from 6 June (2026); snow may linger in the Lättgässli
- Jul
- Busy; afternoon thunderstorms
- Aug
- Busy; hot on the lower forest section
- Sep
- Clear views; fewer people
- Oct
- Railway closes 25 October (2026); early snow possible
- Nov
- No railway; winter conditions
- Dec
- Winter
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Berghaus Rothorn Kulm (up to 100 beds): book online or via +41 33 951 12 21 / berghaus@brb.ch. Railway seats: buy online in advance with a seat guarantee on fine days.
- Fees
- Brienz Rothorn Railway fares apply; optional seat guarantee CHF 8; day passes not accepted; dogs CHF 10
- Paid parking at Brienz station (CHF 8 per day); free long-term parking at the boat station
- Rules
- Milibach stream-side path above Brienz closed until further notice after the August 2024 debris flow; follow the signed detour via the Trachtbach
- Getting There
Brienz
Zurich (ZRH) or Bern (BRN)
- Train (Zentralbahn, Lucerne–Interlaken line) or BLS boat from Interlaken to Brienz; the rack railway station is opposite the Zentralbahn station
- Sörenberg side: PostBus from Schüpfheim to Sörenberg, then the cable car to the Brienzer Rothorn
- By car: Brienz (paid parking) or Sörenberg
Hazards
- Weather
Huts & Shelters
1- 2,244 m
Berghaus Rothorn KulmHotelStaffedBooking required
100 beds · Railway season (June to October); open daily 08:00–21:00