The Scenery and Things You Can Expect in Harder Kulm
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Honestly, one doesn’t have to climb the mountains to see awe-inspiring scenery in the Jungfrau Region. While I was exploring this region, I discovered that one can simply visit villages like Lauterbrunnen, Gimmelwald and Iseltwald, and be filled with wonder in an instant. The views from there are just unreal… straight out of our favorite fantasy novel movies — Lord of the Rings. You can easily fill and enjoy four days in the Jungfrau Region just by sightseeing.
However, if you can and if time and weather permit, consider visiting the region’s top viewpoints. They’ll let you appreciate the unique landscape of the Jungfrau Region, which to me is an unforgettable sight. From a trough-shaped valley to an alluvial plain, snow-capped mountains to a bright turquoise lake, it’s a visually overwhelming panorama.
Among the vantage points in the Jungfrau Region which you can easily visit, I believe Männlichen and Harder Kulm are the best. Visit Männlichen for a 360-degree view of the Jungfrau Region. Visit Harder Kulm for the 180-degree spectacular panorama above Interlaken.
Wondering what it’s like visiting Harder Kulm and what the view from there is like? Let me share it with you here.
Writer’s Note
Ever since I first set foot in the mountains, I’ve felt a sense of belonging. The tranquility of the mountains brings me peace of mind, and the adventures that come with exploring them have given me some of my most unforgettable memories. Plus, the fresh mountain air does wonders for my allergies!
But what I love most about the mountains are the breathtaking views. When I take in the beauty around me, all my worries vanish, and my mind feels rejuvenated. It’s an indescribable feeling of pure joy. I hope you experience the same sense of wonder when you visit Harder Kulm or other breathtaking places in Switzerland.
Tip: If you want to discover more amazing places that offer stunning views of the mountains in Bernese Oberland, I recommend Thun Castle in Thun Old Town.
Why Visit Harder Kulm (What To Expect)
Visiting Harder Kulm can be a special experience for wanderers like me. Mainly, it’s because of the stunning scenery. However, there are a few more nice things you can expect! In addition to the breathtaking views of the Jungfrau Region, Harder Kulm is a great destination for its funicular, thrilling viewing deck, and beautiful restaurant. Even though the highlight of visiting Harder Kulm is at the top, the amazing experience begins before you even reach it.
1. An Exceptional View of Jungfrau Region
There’s one sentence to simply describe the view that one can behold in Harder Kulm — a dreamy panorama of the gateway to the Jungfrau Region.
Learn more about the view that you can see from the Harder Kulm
I was awestruck when I first saw the view from Harder Kulm. The view — you can expect it to be something so stunning, especially when the sky is blue and there are no clouds.
The scenery from Harder Kulm simply surpasses every other viewpoint nearby, making it a must-visit. From Harder Kulm, one can enjoy a panoramic view that encompasses almost all the beautiful places one would want to see in the Jungfrau Region. The bright turquoise Lake Brienz, the fairytale-like Lake Thun, and the superstars of the Jungfrau Region, Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, are all visible from this vantage point. You can also see the entrance to the valleys where the Lütschine rivers flow from Harder Kulm!
If we could see Lauterbrunnen Valley (heaven on earth) from Harder Kulm, I would think that Harder Kulm is the place that offers the best views of the Jungfrau Region. Männlichen would only come in second place.
2. Fantastic Funicular Ride
Another aspect that makes Harder Kulm worth a visit is the convenience and excitement of getting to this viewing point! The Harderbahn Funicular, which departs from Interlaken, can transport you to Harder Kulm (1322 meters) in just 10 minutes. It ascends an impressive 755 meters, and the steep tracks, with an average inclination of 64%, will surely provide a thrilling experience!
Tips and more information about the funicular ride to Harder Kulm
For an incredible view, stay at the back of the funicular as you ascend to Harder Kulm. The funicular features a window at the rear, allowing you to witness the scenery becoming increasingly stunning as you climb toward Harder Kulm. The journey on the funicular takes you through forests and tunnels, but most of the time, you’ll have a breathtaking view of Interlaken and the Jungfrau Region. Just five minutes after leaving Interlaken, the view is already spectacular, and you can easily spot Lake Brienz.
If you enjoy recording time-lapse videos, the Harderbahn Funicular offers an excellent opportunity to capture an awesome one. The tracks are straight, and the resulting time-lapse footage should appear as though you are rapidly flying away from Interlaken through the forest.
By the way, if you like funiculars, you should try the Pilatus Railway. It is the world’s steepest cogwheel train, located on Mount Pilatus near Lucerne.
3. Thrilling Viewing Deck
Harder Kulm is a bit more special compared to other viewpoints in the Jungfrau Region. This is because Harder Kulm has a viewing platform called “Two Lakes Bridge,” which offers an exceptional bird’s eye view of the Jungfrau Region or Bernese Oberland. Two Lakes Bridge isn’t actually a bridge, but a metal platform extending a few meters from the mountain. I think it’s called a “bridge” because it links our sight to both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.
What else is to expect + alternative experiences
While at the Two Lakes Bridge, look left and right, and you can compare which looks more turquoise — Lake Brienz or Lake Thun. Also, if you stand at the tip of Two Lakes Bridge, you get this breathtaking overlooking view of Interlaken with nothing but emptiness below you. It’s a thrilling experience to conquer your fear of heights.
The middle section of Two Lakes Bridge’s floor is made of glass. It’s the perfect spot to see what’s below you if you don’t want to look down from the railings.
Harder Kulm’s Two Lakes Bridge is only one of the best viewing points in the Jungfrau Region featuring a metal platform that extends from the mountain and providing a breathtaking view. If you’re interested in having more experiences like that, you can visit First Cliff Walk in Grindelwald or Birg Thrill Walk in Mürren.
4. Beautiful Restaurant
Like any other mountaintop destination and hiking area in the Alps, Harder Kulm has a restaurant. However, this restaurant is unlike any other! It’s a panoramic restaurant, which is definitely one of the nice things about going to Harder Kulm.
Interestingly, the restaurant is not only for travelers seeking an exceptional dining experience but also for people like me who are interested in architecture. Harder Kulm’s restaurant boasts great food, stunning views, and a gorgeous appearance. It resembles a Swiss mini fairytale castle, and it truly leaves a good first impression of Harder Kulm. Take a look for yourself.
More information + alternative experience
Inside, the dining area exudes a pleasant ambiance, thanks to the enormous windows that offer diners a breathtaking view of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. For a more mountainous dining experience, you can opt to eat at the alfresco seating tables.
If you’re looking for an exceptional dining experience in the Jungfrau Region, you’ve got to check out Piz Gloria in Schilthorn. This mountain boasts a stunning rotating restaurant that will leave both your taste buds and your eyes completely satisfied.
5. Strategic and Accessible Location
One more reason to check out Harder Kulm is its convenient location, easily accessible from Interlaken which is a breeze to get to from other Swiss cities. With the breathtaking views from Harder Kulm and effortless accessibility, it’s a no-brainer to add it to your Switzerland travel plans. That said, I think Harder Kulm is an awesome destination for travelers wanting to see impressive mountain views of the Swiss Alps while only planning a short Switzerland trip.
Getting To Harder Kulm
There are two ways to reach Harder Kulm: the first is by taking the Harderbahn Funicular (as previously mentioned), and the second is by hiking various trails in the area. In this section, we’ll discuss the specifics, tips, and necessary information for reaching Harder Kulm.
Harder Kulm Funicular
Without a doubt, the best and easiest way to reach Harder Kulm is by taking the Harderbahn Funicular. It allows visitors to get to Harder Kulm in about 10 minutes, which is so sweet!
Getting to Harderbahn’s valley station is easy. It’s just on the other side of the Aare River, a 5-minute walk from Interlaken OST station. To get to Harderbahn, walk west along Untere Bönigstrasse from Interlaken OST. When you see the 6-story Haussman-style hotel (Lindner Grand Hotel Beau Rivage), turn right and cross the bridge over the Aare River. The first building you’ll come across after crossing the river is Harderbahn.
You can book your tickets to Harder Kulm in advance here (list of organized tours to Harder Kulm included). Usually, tickets can only be booked in advance during the visiting season (summer). The funicular train operation schedule is available at Jungfrau Region’s official website, linked at the end of this post.
Hiking Harder Kulm
Another way to reach Harder Kulm is by hiking. However, I wouldn’t recommend it unless you have ample time during your trip and are prepared for a challenging hike.
To my knowledge, there are two hiking trails to Harder Kulm. One starts from Interlaken, and the other begins in Unterseen. Both trails require intermediate hiking skills, take approximately three hours to complete (ascent), span 3.5 kilometers, and have an elevation gain between 670 and 700 meters.
More Information about the hikes to Harder Kulm
The trail to Harder Kulm from Interlaken starts beside the Harderbahn valley station. From there, you can expect a steadily inclined path to Harder Kulm, passing through the forest with a few vantage points. The scenery along the trail from Interlaken to Harder Kulm is similar to what you’ll see from the top of Harder Kulm. The only difference is that the views are lower and more peaceful, as only a few people hike this route to reach Harder Kulm.
You’ll know you’re halfway through the Interlaken-Harder Kulm trail when you cross over the Harderbahn funicular tracks. From there, you can watch the funicular cars entering and exiting the tunnel.
If you want to hike to Harder Kulm and enjoy a unique view, you can start your hike from Unterseen. The trail from Unterseen to Harder Kulm offers a breathtaking view of Unterseen and Lake Thun. The jump-off site of the Unterseen-Harder Kulm trail is near the Hohmüedig bus stop in Unterseen.
When you start hiking on the Unterseen-Harder Kulm trail, you’ll find that it’s relatively flat for the first 20 minutes or 700 meters. Then, there’s a short steep section before it flattens out again. During this flat part of the trail, you’ll come across the Unterseen viewpoint. After the flat part, the trail inclines steeply until you reach Harder Kulm.
When To Visit Harder Kulm
Getting to Harder Kulm is easy and convenient, thanks to Harderbahn. However, it’s important to note that visiting Harder Kulm at any time may not be ideal. To make the most of your trip, it’s crucial to know the best time to visit Harder Kulm.
The first thing to keep in mind is that Harderbahn does not operate year-round. It only runs during the summer season, which is from April to November. The opening hours of the ticket counters, the schedules for the first and last ascents, and the times for the first and last descents may vary by month. Typically, however, Harderbahn operates from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, with a departure interval of 30 minutes at both Harderbahn stations.
If the weather is excellent, I suggest arriving early at Harder Kulm for the ultimate experience. Try to take the first ascent to have the place to yourself and fully appreciate the peacefulness of the mountains from the viewing point. However, there may be times when low-lying clouds are present in Interlaken. It’s essential to consider this before visiting Harder Kulm, as the clouds can obstruct the view of the mountains and make the trip not worthwhile.
On the day you plan to visit Harder Kulm, be sure to check the live view on the official website of the Jungfrau Region. This will help you decide whether or not to go. If the view is obstructed by clouds, skip it for now and try again later, or on your next visit. Please check the official website of the Jungfrau Region, linked in the resources section of this post, for exact schedules and a live view of Harder Kulm.
A weather-flexible itinerary is always necessary when traveling to outdoor destinations like the Jungfrau Region. If low-lying clouds block the spectacular view of the surroundings in Harder Kulm or the Jungfrau Region, you might like to spend a day in Bern for its stunning architecture, or in Thun, a small fairytale town with castles and viewpoints of Lake Thun.
Visiting Harder Kulm Resources
So, I think that’s all you need to know about Harder Kulm. If you plan to visit, you can refer to the links below for help with planning your trip.
If you’re planning a short trip to Switzerland to visit Harder Kulm and the Jungfrau Region and haven’t secured accommodations yet, I recommend checking out my partner’s hotel search and booking platform. They offer some fantastic hotel deals across Europe that could be just what you’re looking for. Please note that this is an affiliate link. If you book through this link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This is a wonderful way to support Wander In Europe in creating more content like this. Your support is greatly appreciated! <3
Get an idea of how you can make the most of your visit to Switzerland using my 4-day and 6-day Switzerland itineraries. They’re focused on visiting the charming attractions in Lucerne, exploring the views and landmarks in Bern, and witnessing the breathtaking beauty of the destinations around Interlaken. Some of the unmissable experiences in the Jungfrau Region are included!
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