Niesen Funicular Round-Trip

Niesen rises above the Bernese Oberland near Lake Thun. Its near-symmetrical, sharply defined silhouette has earned it the nickname "the Swiss Pyramid" — one of the most recognizable landmarks in the region. From Mülenen, the funicular climbs via the midway stop at Schwandegg to the summit, where 360-degree views take in Lake Thun, the Bernese Alps, and the iconic trio of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. 

But Niesen is more than a photo-op landmark — it's home to the world's longest outdoor staircase, an overnight stay with sunrise views at the summit, and a forest playground designed just for kids. It's one of the few Swiss peaks that keeps both adults and children entertained for a full day.

Perched high atop the mountain, the Berghaus Niesen Kulm restaurant offers classic Swiss brunch and local specialties alongside breathtaking 360-degree views of the Swiss Alps.

From Spiez (approx. 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes)

1. Step 1: Take a short 5-minute regional train from Spiez to Mülenen. Mülenen is a request stop, so press the stop button before arriving
2. Step 2: The funicular valley station is right by the platform. Board the steep, nostalgic funicular (up to a 68% gradient) for the ride to the summit — the full journey via Mülenen takes roughly 48–70 minutes

From Interlaken

1. Step 1: Board a regional or ICE train from Interlaken West or Interlaken Ost. The ride along Lake Thun to Spiez takes about 15–20 minutes
2. Step 2: At Spiez, transfer to the regional train toward Domodossola or Frutigen for the 5-minute ride to Mülenen
3. Step 3: It's less than a 2-minute walk from the Mülenen platform to the funicular valley station. The steep, historic red funicular takes exactly 30 minutes to climb the "Swiss Pyramid" to the Niesen Kulm summit
    

From Bern (approx. 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes)

1. Step 1: From Bern's main station, take the IC6 or IC61 intercity train direct to Spiez — about 30 minutes
2. Step 2: At Spiez, transfer to the R12 or RE1 regional train for the one-stop, 5-minute ride to Mülenen (a request stop — remember to press the button)
3. Step 3: Walk less than 2 minutes from the Mülenen platform to the funicular valley station, then ride the funicular about 30 minutes to the summit

Operating season: Typically runs daily from late April through early November

Running alongside the Niesen funicular track is a 11,674-step outdoor staircase — officially recognized as the world's longest. Originally built as a maintenance and emergency access route for the railway, it now hosts the annual Niesen Stairway Run every June: a relay race on Friday and an individual race on Saturday. The current individual record, held by Jonathan Schmid, stands at an astonishing 55 minutes 26 seconds. Outside race days, climbing the stairs requires a stair pass (CHF 490), a guided hike, or race entry — unauthorized climbing carries a CHF 59 fine.

For a sense of scale, here's how it compares to Taiwan's own Taipei 101 Run Up:

Even if you're not racing, knowing this staircase runs right alongside the funicular you're riding adds a story to the climb.

At the summit, the Niesen Village for Children is a themed playground inspired by the local legend of "the Niesen Fox and the Magic Millstone," letting kids play their way into the mountain's folklore while parents relax with the view. When playtime is over, the Berghaus Niesen Kulm mountain restaurant offers dedicated family set menus — "Dohlennest" and "Adlerhorst" — so the whole family can comfortably spend a full day at the summit.

For those wanting to hold onto the mountain's best moments a little longer, the Berghaus at Niesen's summit offers an overnight sunrise package: check in at 4pm, check out by 11am the next day. At over 2,300 metres, you'll have the night sky and morning cloud sea largely to yourselves — and on the right day, a dreamlike sea of mist. The package includes dinner (cheese fondue or a themed buffet), a double room, and a hearty Niesen-style brunch. With only around 22 overnight spots available, it's a rare, intimate summit experience.