Sledding, hiking & enjoying: a scenic winter excursion to Isenfluh

The small mountain village of Isenfluh and the hamlet of Sulwald, perched on a sunny terrace high above the steep cliffs of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, boast a breathtaking panoramic view of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. But that’s not all! Whether you’re planning a winter trip with family, as a couple, or with colleagues – Isenfluh-Sulwald offers the perfect setting for a relaxing day in the snow.

Advertisement: Post created in collaboration with PostAuto AG

With the Isenfluh Line to Isenfluh/Sulwald

In collaboration with PostAuto, I present selected excursion destinations in the Bern/Central Switzerland region along various PostAuto lines. After visiting the Schwarzwaldalp, this trip takes us to the charming village of Isenfluh, high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, searching for the best sledding slopes in the Bernese Oberland.

The Hidden Gem of the Lauterbrunnen Valley

“The sun has definitely drawn more than just us to the mountains,” I think as we search for a seat on the train heading to Lauterbrunnen from Interlaken Ost station. The train is packed to the brim with winter sports enthusiasts. What sets us apart from most of our fellow travelers is our off-the-beaten-path destination, away from modern ski lifts. By the time we reach Lauterbrunnen, our paths will diverge. While the majority transfer to the Wengernalpbahn toward the Kleine Scheidegg ski area or take the cable car toward Grütschalp/Mürren/Schilthorn, we head for the smallest PostAuto waiting at Lauterbrunnen’s station square. The winding 15-minute drive from the Lauterbrunnen Valley to the secluded mountain village of Isenfluh is not only scenic, but it also includes a unique 1.2-kilometer-long switchback tunnel – one of its kind in Switzerland!

Ride the Nostalgic Cable Car to the Sunny Plateau

But we’re not quite there yet. High above our heads, a bright red cable car gracefully glides over the freshly snow-dusted treetops. The valley station of the Isenfluh-Sulwald cable car is just a short walk from the PostAuto stop. Since 1975, it has effortlessly bridged the 536-meter altitude difference between the mountain village of Isenfluh and the hamlet of Sulwald. The nostalgically designed cabin can accommodate eight people or a cow. On this sunny winter day, there are no cows, but a handful of other visitors with the same idea as us. Due to the limited capacity of the cable car, patience is needed on sunny winter weekends – especially if you arrive closer to noon.

A Must for Food Lovers: Sulwald Stübli

Patience pays off! Once at the top, you can immediately dive into the culinary delights. Right next to the mountain station is the welcoming Sulwald Stübli. Whether for a quick snack before snowshoeing or skiing, a drink afterward, or simply to soak up the sun and stunning views from a wind-sheltered spot, everyone is welcome here. Classic dishes include the “Stübli Hot Dog,” chickpea stew, cheese spaetzle with crispy onions, and fondue. Oh, and of course, there’s an excellent cheese and dried meat platter on the menu. It’s a mountain restaurant exactly to our taste.

Snowshoeing on the Sulwald Trail

Despite these temptations, we couldn’t resist taking a round on the Sulwald Trail with our snowshoes first. The Sulwald Trail is the shorter of two marked snowshoe trails that start right at the mountain station. It’s a fun, scenic loop offering breathtaking views and can be completed in under an hour. It’s perfect for building up an appetite before treating yourself to a well-deserved break on the Sulwald Stübli’s sunny terrace.

 

Key Facts About the Sulwald Trail

The map below shows the route of the Sulwald Trail. The path is well-marked and not physically demanding. The only challenging part is the descent from Haltenmad to Halte, which is relatively steep and can be difficult for beginners. Otherwise, the snowshoe trail is easy in terms of distance and terrain.

Starting Point	Mountain station of Isenfluh-Sulwald cable car (1,530 m above sea level)
Accessibility	Accessible by public transportation
Length	2.0 kilometers
Elevation Gain	↗ 170 m ↘ 170 m
Duration	50 minutes (walking time, without breaks)
Destination	Mountain station of Isenfluh-Sulwald cable car (1,530 m above sea level)
Refreshment Options	Sulwald Stübli

Extra Tip: A popular snowshoeing and ski touring route leads from Sulwald to the Lobhornhütte at 1,955 m above sea level and back along the same path (total distance: 4 kilometers). The ascent takes approximately two hours. During good weather conditions, the Lobhornhütte is staffed on Fridays through Sundays in the winter season. Current updates are available weekly on the Lobhornhütte website.

Sledding Back to Isenfluh

A special treat is the 4-kilometer sledding trail from Sulwald down to Isenfluh. This is also clearly marked near the Sulwald Stübli and can easily be combined with a snowshoe tour. Just note that sleds cannot be rented at the mountain station, so you’ll need to carry the sled with you during the tour. Along the way, a stop at the spectacularly frozen Sulsbach waterfall is worth it. If you, like me, prefer a leisurely pace, you can expect to pull the sled along two or three sections of the trail. In my opinion, this adds a welcome variety to the somewhat bumpy descent – depending on the snow conditions.

Key Facts About the Sledding Trail Sulwald – Isenfluh

The sledding trail is clearly marked near the Sulwald Stübli. The starting point is about a five to ten-minute walk. It follows a paved road with long hairpin bends descending to Isenfluh. In flatter sections, you may need to pull the sled for short distances, depending on your pace.

Sleds can be easily rented at the valley station of the Isenfluh cable car. On busy days, all sleds may be rented out. The rental fee for a standard sled is 7 CHF. Adventurers can also rent a Velogemel for 8 CHF.

Starting Point	Mountain station of Isenfluh-Sulwald cable car (1,530 m above sea level)
Accessibility	Accessible by public transportation
Length	4.7 kilometers
Elevation Change	↗ 0 m ↘ 450 m
Duration	Approx. 30 minutes
Destination	Valley station of Isenfluh-Sulwald cable car (1,080 m above sea level)
Refreshment Options	Sulwald Stübli

Practical Tips for Your Winter Trip to Isenfluh – Sulwald

• From Lauterbrunnen station, the Isenfluh Line (Line 142) runs eight times daily to the mountain village of Isenfluh. Check the schedule in advance, as the frequency (about every two hours) varies depending on the time of day. The GA/Half-Fare travelcard is valid on this route.
• The Isenfluh-Sulwald cable car generally operates daily from 7:00 AM to 6:15 PM, departing every 15 minutes. In bad weather or with few passengers, operations may be reduced or suspended. Current operating status can be found on the official Isenfluh website.
• A single ride on the cable car costs 10 CHF for adults. A round trip costs 16 CHF. Children pay 5 CHF (single ride) or 8 CHF (round trip). For those planning multiple sled runs or traveling in groups, a multi-ride ticket (10 rides = 70 CHF) may be worthwhile.
• The Sulwald Stübli is open during the winter season (mid-December to mid/late April) from Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. On Saturdays and Sundays, it serves guests from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
• The Sulwald Stübli offers a “Z’morge for Connoisseurs” (brunch with regional products, available for two or more people) daily until 12:00 PM. A must for breakfast fans! Reservations are required in advance. If you plan to enjoy fondue at the Sulwald Stübli on weekends or holidays, be sure to book ahead as well. Contact details can be found on the Sulwald Stübli website.