Leisurely panoramic hike Elsigenalp – Frutigen

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Hike downhill comfortably and with a view along a valley flank. Sounds like a tempting plan, doesn’t it? This is exactly what the Elsigenalp – Frutigen panorama trail scores with. The mountain hike leads you over little-used paths and idyllic alpine meadows over the Achsetberg down to Frutigen. A constant companion: the magnificent panoramic view of the Niesen chain opposite.

Off to the Elsigenalp

The Elsigenalp is located halfway towards Adelboden, high above the Engstligental. By train, bus and cable car, you can reach the natural paradise from Bern in less than two hours. Once at the top, you can immerse yourself in the magnificent mountain landscape far away from the hustle and bustle. During the mountain summer, there are almost more cows and cattle than people on the extensive alpine pastures. I like this peace and idyll at Elsigenalp!

From Bern train station, we first take the BLS Lötschberger train directly to Frutigen. Here we change with numerous other day-trippers to the AFA bus in the direction of Adelboden.

From the Achseten, Kirche stop, the last winding and very narrow section up to the valley station of the Elsigenalp cable car can be overcome by on-demand bus. The timetables are perfectly coordinated, as long as you pre-register by phone on 033 671 33 33 as noted in the timetable. If, like me, you are on the road early (and don’t think about it the day before or are still unsure whether you really want to make the trip) and therefore the answering machine starts when you try to call, then you can also inform the bus driver on the bus to Adelboden about your plans. He will forward the registration via radio accordingly. That worked perfectly for us.

And so, shortly before 9:30 a.m., we take the cable car towards the steep rock flanks along the Elsigenalp.

On the panorama trail over the Achsetberg

Before we follow the signposted “Panorama Trail”, we make a short additional loop in the direction of Berghaus Elsigenalp. “Two espressos and a nut croissant, please.” After all, we have been on the road for a long time and with a nut croissant in our stomach it is usually faster than without.

Motivated, we then shoulder the light backpacks and follow the signpost along the road under the mountain station of the Elsigenalpbahn until the mountain hiking trail branches off into the forest on the right. This is followed by a short ascent to an approximately 750 m long, striking rock ledge above the “Grüenewald”. The rough and grippy limestone cliffs here are very popular with climbers. Around 100 different lines have been drilled into the walls here – but no beginner’s routes.

We pass about a dozen climbers and soon see the Obere Achsetberg alpine hut in front of us. From here, the previously dense hillside forest turns into open alpine pastures – and we catch the first beautiful panoramic view, which stretches from the Wildstrubel over the Hahnenmoos Pass along the Niesen chain to Frutigen.

With a view over the Engstligental valley down to Frutigen

At the Obere Achsetberg alpine hut, we follow the sign “Cheese/Drinks” to a self-service fridge with cool drinks and alpine cheese. Right next to the fridge, two benches placed in a panoramic location invite you to take a break.

From here, the panorama trail continues along the flanks of the Achsetberg out of the valley; sometimes over alpine meadows and sometimes through secluded forest sections. The route is pleasantly varied and at the same time the narrow, partly rooted path requires the appropriate attention. Up to the height of Portweid, the panorama trail always remains on the hill and leads only slightly downhill. After that, it gets steeper. In a zigzag we follow the hiking trail down to the fire pit Trutten. Now Frutigen is almost right in front of our feet and we enjoy a wonderful view over the Kander Valley.

The Swiss family Feuerstelle Trutten is located in a secluded location on the edge of the forest. If you want to combine the hike with a “Brätliplausch”, you will find everything you need in terms of infrastructure here.

We make good progress and now follow the hairpin bends of the gravel road further downhill to Frutigen, from where we take the train back towards Zurich.

At first, I was worried that one or two paved passages would await me on the panorama trail – but nothing there. With the exception of a short walk through the hamlet of Reinisch (and the last few metres through Frutigen), we are guided along nature trails in an exemplary manner. In terms of entertainment, views and running fun, this is an all-round successful tour, which is suitable for families, pleasure hikers but also for the sporty Sunday morning round.

Ps: if you miss the altitude difference on this route, you can of course also complete the panorama trail in the opposite direction.

Key data of the hike Elsigenalp – Achsete – Frutigen

On the following hiking map you can see the route of our panoramic hike from Elsigenalp to Frutigen. The hike starts at the Elsigenalp mountain station and then leads along white-red-white marked mountain hiking trails (difficulty T2) to the height of Trutten. These are rooted and narrow nature trails that are not suitable for strollers. The last 45 minutes are partly on tarred roads and gravel paths. The route measures just under 11 kilometres and it is advisable to allow for a hiking time of around three hours (without breaks).

Starting point	Elsigenalp mountain station (1,797 m above sea level)
Reachability	accessible by public transport
Length	10.8 kilometres
Elevation gain	↗ 135 m 1,130 m ↘
Duration	3:00 p.m.
Destination	Frutigen railway station (780 m above sea level)
Catering	Berghaus Elsigenalp (at the starting point), self-service refrigerator Obere Achsetberg, Swiss family fireplace Trutte on the descent to Frutigen

Practical tips for your hike from Elsigenalp to Frutigen

• BLS has launched a special hiking ticket for this tour, which includes the following one-way journeys in one ticket: bus connection Frutigen train station – Achseten church, bus connection Achseten church – Achseten Elsigbach/cable car, cable car Elsigbach – Elsigenalp. You can buy the ticket directly via the BLS webshop.
• With the hiking ticket, you also benefit from a price advantage compared to the regular ticket prices with a GA travelcard (e.g. the surcharge to be paid for the bus route Achseten Kirche – Achseten Elsigbach/cable car is waived)
• The hiking ticket is valid until 23 October. Until then, the cable car to Elsigenalp will also be in operation every day. Click here for information about the operating hours of the cable car.
• Note that the bus service from Achseten Kirche to Achseten Elsigbach is a dial-a-bus service. A reservation by phone is required. You can find the telephone number at BLS or in the SBB timetable. You can also inform the AFA chauffeur about your connection request when boarding at Frutigen station.
• I have described another beautiful and easy hike in the Adelboden-Lenk region, for which there is a special hiking ticket until autumn, here.