Niesen Funicular: Views from the Swiss Pyramid
The Niesen Funicular begins in the town of Mülenen and ends at the top of Mount Niesen. At the summit, you will be blown away by 360-degree views all around you. The most famous sight, and the one that earned Niesen its special title of the “Swiss Pyramid”, will be seen at dusk as the setting sun casts a pyramid-shaped shadow towards Lake Thun.
Niesen Funicular Railway
This scenic ascent begins south of Lake Thun and offers breathtaking views of the Bernese Alps and the peaks of the Bernese Oberland. Operating daily from late April to mid-November, the Niesenbahn runs every 30 minutes. The funicular is one of the oldest railways in Switzerland with construction beginning in 1906 and opening in 1910. The entire length of the railway was constructed without the aid of cranes or helicopters, which did not exist at the time.
Niesenbahn Timetable
The first journey of the day departs Mülenen at 8:00 AM with departures every 30 minutes. The last departure is at 5:00 PM.
The last descent time from Niesen Kulm is at 5:45 PM and arrives in Mülenen at 6:45 PM. There are special evening times on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. On these days, the last departure from Mülenen is at 7:30 PM and the last ride down from Niesen Kulm is at 10:55 PM.
The current timetables can be found here.
Niesenbahn Tickets
Ticket Prices
Return tickets from Mülenen to Niesen Kulm are 59 CHF. With a Half Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass, the price is 29.50 CHF. After 3:30 PM, return ticket prices are reduced to 29.50 (no additional discount with the Half Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass, except for children under 16).
One-way tickets cost 38 CHF or 19 CHF with a Half Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass.
Hiking Ticket Prices
The hiking ticket will grant you 3 sections on the funicular. Most will choose to take the funicular to the halfway point and hike the remaining distance to the top. After enjoying the summit, hikers can take the full journey back to Mülenen. At the time of writing, the hiking ticket cost 48 CHF (24 CHF with discount).
How to Get to Mülenen
From Interlaken, Mülenen is a 25 minute car ride or a 50 minute train ride. If arriving by train, the Mülenen train station is right next to the Niesenbahn station. If you arrive by car, there is a metered parking lot next to Niesenbahn. Either way, getting to Niesenbahn will be very convenient once you arrive.
Funicular from Mülenen to the Niesen
The funicular journey is a steady and steep climb straight to the top of Niesen! The ride up is very scenic with views of the Bernese Alps all the way to the top. The funicular will stop at the Schwandegg interchange about halfway up. This is the common departure point for hikers who want to hike the remaining way up. We had hiked the prior two days and earlier that morning, so we decided to take the lazy way up and hopped on the second car for the remaining journey. The total travel time is exactly 30 minutes from Mulenen to the summit.
The Top of Mount Niesen
At the summit, you will be surrounded by views of lush green valleys below, the Bernese Alps panorama, and Lake Thun in the distance. We found ourselves walking from one end of the summit to the other taking it all in! There is an observation deck, a small playground, and the Berghaus Niesen-Kulm restaurant. The restaurant is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The restaurant also offers evening culinary events on certain Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. You can find more information on these events here.
The summit can be very windy, and in the early morning and late afternoon/evening, it likely be cold. We recommend dressing in layers, even in the summer.
Niesen: The Swiss Pyramid
Mount Niesen has earned the rightful title of “The Swiss Pyramid” due to its pyramid shape. At dusk, the setting sun will cast a perfect pyramid shadow towards Lake Thun to the north. It happens fast, so don’t get distracted and miss your opportunity to watch the shadow extend out across the valley floor towards the lake!
Hiking Niesen
Hiking from Mulenen to the top of Niesen will be a challenging hike with (5,500 ft) 1,700m of elevation gain. Most hikers choose to ride the funicular to Schwandegg and hike the remaining distance. This reduces the elevation gain to a more manageable 2,130 ft. (650m). We considered the hike, but after two days of hiking, we decided to save our legs for another day!
If you want more Niesen hiking information we recommend checking out Jackson Groves’ overview of his experience on Niesen at Journeyera.com.
Other Experiences at Niesen Kulm
- Sunrise Trips: In the spring and autumn, early trips to the summit of Niesen will provide a unique opportunity for a stunning panorama. Trips are weather dependent and dates are announced 1-3 days in advance so you will need to check just before you go.
- Niesen Brunch at Berghaus: Brunch is offered daily from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Other Culinary Experiences: Evening buffets are held every Wednesday from July through October. Fondue is served every Saturday from May through November. Check here for current offerings.
- Full Moon Dinner: Enjoy a 5-course meal made from seasonal and local ingredients. See current dates here.
- Niesen Playground: A trip to the top of Niesen is great for families. Kids can unwind at the unique natural wooden playground.
Best Time to See Niesen
The Niesenbahn runs from late April into November; however, the best time to visit, in our opinion, is July through September when most or all of the snow has melted. We visited in late September and the first snowfall had yet to occur; however, it was chilly and windy at the summit.
Best Places to Stay
- Grindelwald: With multiple hotels, hostels, restaurants, shops, and easy access to dozens of hiking trails, Grindelwald is a great place to stay
- Interlaken: The region’s main hub, offering the widest selection of accommodations and amenities.
- Lauterbrunnen: Arguably the most beautiful town, nestled in the Lauterbrunnen valley with dramatic cliffs and waterfalls flanking both sides. It is a smaller town than Grindelwald or Interlaken but still has plenty of amenities.
See Our Other Switzerland Travel Guides!
3 Day Interlaken Itinerary – A Swiss Adventure!
Is the Swiss Travel Pass Worth it? Review and Guide (2025)
Oeschinen Lake Panorama Hike in Switzerland
Hiking the Eiger Trail in Grindelwald, Switzerland: Complete Guide
Bachalpsee Lake Hike from Grindelwald: Full Guide & Map
