24-hour Mountain Adventure on the Niederhorn: Overnight Trip

Sponsored: Article in collaboration with Niederhornbahn AG

Whether a scenic hike, a cozy summer evening on the summit, or exciting wildlife watching: the Niederhorn offers an activity to suit every taste and tops it off with one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the Bernese Alps.

I’ve been to Beatenberg’s local mountain several times and am always amazed at how much there is to discover and experience. In mid-July we got to know the Niederhorn from a new angle once again. Instead of just enjoying a mild summer evening on the summit, we checked into the mountain hut and spent 24 relaxed hours on the Niederhorn. Along the way we gathered plenty of ideas and tips that also work for a shorter trip to the mountain.

4:00 PM | To the Niederhorn with the mountain railway

Our trip starts at just under 30 °C in the Beatenbucht on Lake Thun at 615 meters above sea level. Accordingly, I’m looking forward to the fresher mountain air that awaits us about 1’300 vertical meters higher up on the Niederhorn.

The ride from the Beatenbucht to the roughly 2’000-meter-high summit takes about 40 minutes. The first leg goes up about 500 vertical meters to Beatenberg via the funicular. This section is considered basic infrastructure, which is why, for example, the GA is fully valid. In Beatenberg we change to the iconic 3-person gondola. With it we float the remaining roughly 800 vertical meters uphill and already get a first taste of the fantastic panorama of the Bernese Alps.

Tip: From Thun and Interlaken you can reach the Beatenbucht directly by bus line 21. A nice alternative on sunny summer days is to arrive or return by boat. The landing stage is located directly next to the valley station of the Niederhornbahn.

5:00 PM | Checking in at the Berghaus Niederhorn

Directly after our arrival on the summit we check in at the Berghaus Niederhorn. There are nine double rooms to choose from, including a family room, as well as 22 bunks in the dormitory. Shower and toilet are each located on the floor. We are accommodated in a cozy double room with a «Grand-Lit» – the other rooms have two single beds – and from our room we have a direct view of the turquoise shimmering Lake Thun.

Tip: The mountain railway ride on arrival and departure day is included in the overnight price.

5:30 PM | First viewpoint walk on the Niederhorn

In the meantime the day trippers have gone down into the valley and calm has settled around the Berghaus. We take advantage of the moment for a first short exploration on the roughly 600-meter-long, well-secured ridge path. This runs a few vertical meters above the Berghaus along the steeply dropping rocks and opens impressive views: on one side into the Justistal, on the other towards Thun and the Stockhorn range beyond. At nine creatively designed info points along the path you can also learn exciting facts about the local flora and fauna.

On the second part of the ridge path, the first animal highlight of our mountain adventure then awaits completely unexpectedly. When it gets quieter around the summit, the ibexes sometimes come up here to graze. And indeed we meet a group of young ibexes that allow themselves to be observed up close.

Tip: Along the ridge path runs Rocky’s Path, the easiest of a total of four alpine orienteering routes on the Niederhorn. Children learn the most important orienteering symbols in a playful way and practice using the map. A great activity for families. You can find more information about the alpine-orienteering routes here: Alpine Orienteering

6:30 PM | Dinner at the Berghaus Niederhorn

Slowly hunger makes itself felt. The Berghaus Niederhorn offers a small evening menu with various dishes. I decide on a green salad with roasted seeds and croutons, followed by a really delicious cheese rösti.

Tip: From early July to mid-September, the Berghaus invites you on Friday and Saturday evenings to the «GipfelGenuss». With a 3-course dinner you can really savor the summer evening on the Niederhorn and, with a bit of luck with the weather, you’ll get the sunset as an extra.

8:30 PM | Sunset over the Bernese Alps

And it is precisely this sunset that pulls us back onto the ridge path after dinner. But unfortunately the clouds are stubbornly stuck on the horizon today and swallow the sun before the hoped-for play of colors really gets going. Even so, the atmosphere is magical!

To our delight we also discover the night quarters of the ibex crew that we had met a few hours earlier on the summit. The animals have made themselves comfortable on the shady, steeply sloping northern slopes of the Niederhorn.

Tip: From early July to early October, the Niederhornbahn offers on Friday and Saturday evenings Evening rides on. These can be used independently of the «GipfelGenuss» and are perfect for anyone who simply wants to be on the summit for sunset.

5:30 AM | Sunrise on the Niederhorn

The next morning we are up early and the first look out the window is promising. So out we go! Aside from the ringing of cowbells there is nothing to hear at this time. As the sun slowly appears over the horizon, the clouds above the Bernese Alps glow in the first warm colors of the day. A wonderfully idyllic mountain morning, far away from any everyday hustle – and definitely, in my opinion, one of the most persuasive reasons to spend a night on the Niederhorn.

7:00 AM | Wildlife watching on the Niederhorn

Not only the sunrise, but also our next activity is one reason we are getting up early today. We take part in the guided wildlife watching that takes place every Thursday from early July to early October. We already presented the offering and the accompanying hike from the Niederhorn towards the Gemmenalphorn in this blog post in detail. The tour leads via Gemmenalp and Oberburgfeld back to the mountain station of the Niederhornbahn or, depending on time, alternatively via Häliloch down to the mid-station Vorsass.

Our second participation impressively shows that the wildlife watching is definitely worth doing more than once. While last time we were able to observe almost exclusively chamois, this time we also encounter Alpine ibex (both females and males).

And even independently of the animal encounters, the hike from the Niederhorn to the Gemmenalphorn is a pleasure. I mean, just look at this view!

The second animal highlight of these 24 hours follows shortly before the Gemmenalphorn, where we spot two older male ibexes. In this section of the route you rather rarely see the stately males. They avoid the hustle and prefer to retreat into the less frequented terrain behind the Gemmenalphorn.

While on the previous tour, after a break on the Gemmenalp (where you can wonderfully observe marmots), we had to return to the Niederhornbahn mountain station at Oberburgfeld for time reasons, this time we continue via Häliloch to the mid-station Vorsass.

Tip: At Häliloch it’s worth taking a short look into the depths: the huge cave shaft drops about 100 meters vertically into the dark and is part of the extensive cave world in the Niederhorn massif. Interesting to know: underground there is a hydrological connection to the St. Beatus Caves on Lake Thun.

1:00 PM | Lunch at the Bergrestaurant Vorsass

Shortly after 1:00 PM we reach the Bergrestaurant Vorsass, which is located directly next to the mid-station of the Niederhornbahn with the same name. The sun terrace is already well filled, but we still snag a shady spot. With a platter of local alpine cheese, salami and cured meat we treat ourselves to a well-deserved breather after the intense morning.

2:30 PM | With the Trotti-Bike from the mid-station Vorsass to Beatenberg

Last but not least one more experience awaits to be tried by us: the descent with the Trotti-Bike from Vorsass to Beatenberg. Two routes of different lengths are available. ‘Rocky’s Run’ leads relatively directly and quickly down to Beatenberg over six kilometers. The twelve-kilometer ‘Happy’s Trail’, on the other hand, takes a more leisurely detour via Bodenalp and Rischerental and finishes by running lengthwise through Beatenberg, which is considered the longest village in Europe.

We decide on ‘Rocky’s Run’ and swoosh down the winding but very well signposted route (by the way it’s really only half as wild as it sounds ;)). The pleasantly fresh riding wind suits us perfectly after the intense morning and the descent is great fun! In Beatenberg we return the Trottis directly at the mountain railway station and, after 24 eventful hours on the Niederhorn, head home.

Tip: The Trotti-Bikes can be rented directly at the mid-station Vorsass. Depending on your speed, you should allow about 20 to 30 minutes for «Rocky’s Run» and about 60 to 90 minutes for the longer «Happy’s Trail». You can find more information about the routes, prices and operating times here: Trotti Biking

Practical tips for your trip to the Niederhorn with an overnight stay

• Operating hours and ticket prices: The Berghaus Niederhorn is open during the summer season from early May to mid-November. The operating hours of the Niederhornbahn vary by month and day of the week. You can find the current information here: Timetable and Prices
• Breakfast during the wildlife watching: If, like us, you stay overnight on the Niederhorn and take part in the guided wildlife watching, you are already out and about before the regular breakfast at the Berghaus. Overnight guests receive a packed lunch for the trip instead of breakfast in this case.
• Luggage: Think about your second day’s program already when packing. If you continue hiking from the Niederhorn via Gemmenalphorn and Häliloch to Vorsass, you can take your overnight luggage with you directly as we did. Accordingly, it’s worth packing as lightly as possible. Alternatively, you can leave your luggage at the Berghaus and pick it up later.
• Good to know: Many of the experiences presented can also be combined without an overnight stay. Depending on the time available, you can put together your own Niederhorn program – from a short viewpoint walk to a hike, the Trotti descent or a summer evening on the summit.