Gurten (mountain) Mountain

Address: Gurten, 3084 Wabern bei Bern, Switzerland (Gurtenbahn lower station at Wabern)

Website: https://www.gurtenpark.ch/

Hours: Gurtenbahn typically 7:00am-midnight (varies seasonally); summit facilities have seasonal hours

Admission: CHF 8-12 for Gurtenbahn roundtrip (adult); discounts for Swiss Travel Pass holders and children

Gurten is a wooded hill and local recreation area south of Bern in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland, with a summit elevation of 858 metres. It is a popular short-distance excursion destination for residents and visitors to Bern.

The summit offers panoramic views over the city of Bern and the Bernese Alps, a family-friendly park, playgrounds and hospitality facilities. The site also hosts an annual summer music festival and other outdoor events on the park grounds.

The hill has long served as a local leisure area and was equipped with a funicular to provide easy access from the Wabern neighborhood; the site developed into a formal recreation and event space over the 20th century. Conservation and visitor facilities have kept the area accessible while retaining its park character.

Gurten lies immediately south of Bern, with the funicular starting in Wabern and the summit reachable within a short ride or by hiking routes from the city.

• Elevation: Elevation 858 metres above sea level, offering close panoramic views of Bern and the distant Alps.
• Access: Accessible by the Gurtenbahn funicular from Wabern and by several hiking trails, making it a short excursion from Bern.

What to See#

• Summit viewpoint: The summit area at 858 metres above sea level with panoramic viewpoints over Bern and the Bernese Alps.
• Gurten funicular and base station: The Gurtenbahn funicular provides direct access from Wabern to the summit and is the usual arrival point for visitors.
• Park and festival grounds: Park and event grounds used for family recreation and an annual summer music festival held on the hill.

From central Bern take tram line 9 or S-Bahn to Wabern; the Gurtenbahn lower station is a short walk from the stop. There is also parking at Wabern if arriving by car.

• Take the Gurtenbahn funicular from Wabern for the most direct and scenic ascent - it operates frequently from Bern's tram network.
• Walk the easy panoramic paths at the top rather than the observation tower if in poor weather - the ridge paths are sheltered and evocative.
• Attend a summer outdoor concert on the Gurten; they're popular but well organized and the sound between trees is memorable.