The Niederhorn

The Niederhorn is another mountain destination near Interlaken which provides a relatively interesting and easy day out, which sounded like a nice way to spend our last day there.  It is 1,963 metres so not a big mountain by local standards, but it does give great views and is a popular hiking waypoint.  It is served by a gondola from Beatenberg and of course has a restaurant!  Anna suggested Niederhorn as a good trip because it can combine a boat ride, a cable car, a gondola ride, and some hiking if you are so inclined.  We decided to give it a go.

Our ferry arriving at Interlaken West, where it docks beside the railway station.

For about 30 min we cruised across the calm waters of Lake Thun.

We got off at Beatenbucht, at the foot of the cable car to Beatenburg.

In the cable car, climbing up away from the lake.

It is a long ride, including a tunnel.

At Beatenberg we transferred to this gondola for the ride to the summit.

Three cars travel together, holding up to 17 passengers each.  It was quiet today.

The steep cliffs on the back side of the Niederhorn.

The Niederhorn does not appear steep from the valley below, but from the top you can see that the northern side of the mountain is almost a sheer drop into the deep glacial valley on that side.

The valley floor far below.

Recharging in preparation for the walk back down!

We walked the first part of the descent, to rejoin the gondola part way down.  The first part was on a well-maintained path through the mountain meadows; further down it had disintegrated somewhat but was still quite easy going.

Setting out from the top of the Niederhorn.

We had to cross through a herd of cows, the air filled with the sound of their bells.

Must be a bit annoying spending your days with a loud bell around your neck?

Those with insurance can also ride down on these scooters for hire.

Instead of cruising back to Interlaken on the (relatively infrequent) boat we took a bus from Beatenberg.  Fun fact: Beatenberg is the longest village in Europe!  The bus wound its way along the side of the hill most of the way back, then descended steeply through a series of hairpins back down to Interlaken.