Brienzer Rothorn
Mountain Swiss mountain reachable by historic steam cog railway
Brienzer Rothorn rises above Lake Brienz and the Bernese Alps and is reached by a preserved steam‑hauled rack railway; visitors ride the train, hike alpine trails and photograph sweeping lake and mountain views.
Brienzer Rothorn is a 2,350-metre mountain in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland above Lake Brienz. It is known for panoramic summits and a historic rack railway service.
Hikers and railway passengers reach the summit for wide views over Lake Brienz and the surrounding Bernese Alps; alpine walking routes and the summit plateau are primary attractions. The mountain is popular for day trips in the summer season when the steam railway runs.
The Brienz Rothorn Bahn, a steam-operated rack railway, was established in the late 19th century to provide tourist access to the summit and has operated since then with seasonal service. The mountain itself has long been used for alpine pasture and recreation.
The peak rises above the village of Brienz on the eastern shore of Lake Brienz in the canton of Bern, central Switzerland.
- Elevation: The mountain reaches an elevation of 2,350 metres, providing extensive views across Lake Brienz and surrounding peaks.
- Railway access: The heritage steam railway operates seasonally and offers an alternative to the alpine hiking routes for reaching the summit.
What to See #
- Summit viewpoint: The summit area offering panoramic viewpoints over Lake Brienz and the Bernese Alps, reached by the historic mountain railway and by alpine hiking routes.
- Steam rack railway: The Brienz Rothorn Bahn, a historic steam-operated rack railway that ascends from the lakeside village of Brienz to the summit, operating seasonally for tourists and hikers.
How to Get to Brienzer Rothorn #
Travel to Brienz by regional train from Interlaken Ost (frequent connections on the Interlaken-Brienz line). In Brienz, the Brienz Rothorn Bahn steam rack railway departs from the lower station a very short walk from Brienz railway station and climbs to the Brienzer Rothorn summit. You can also drive to Brienz and park at the railway/start point before boarding the Rothornbahn.
Tips for Visiting Brienzer Rothorn #
- Take the Brienz Rothorn Bahn from Brienz and aim for a morning ascent for the clearest views over Lake Brienz and the Bernese Alps; the steam trains run seasonally (summer months), so check the timetable in advance.
- Buy tickets in advance during July-August or take an earlier or later train to avoid peak mid-day crowds; allow time for short summit walks-there are panoramic vantage points a few minutes from the station that many visitors miss.
Best Time to Visit Brienzer Rothorn #
Best visited in summer when the mountain railway and trails are operating and alpine views are at their clearest.
Weather & Climate near Brienzer Rothorn #
Brienzer Rothorn's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -7°C to 13°C. Abundant rainfall (1433 mm/year), wettest in June, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -6°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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February
February is the coldest month with highs of -1°C and lows of -7°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -6°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -5°C. Significant rainfall (121 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (121 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (129 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (127 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (125 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (121 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -4°C. Significant rainfall (127 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -6°C. Significant rainfall (121 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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