At the top of the Niederhorn mountain, you can hike along a dramatic ridge with panoramic views of the Berner Oberland region. It's one of our favorites in the region, popular with Swiss locals but not so much with tourists.

You can easily adjust this trail to different lengths and difficulty to suit your crew, from 2 to 11 km - trail maps linked below.

A: Niederhorn to Burgfeldstand viewpoint – 4 km / 1h45.

B: Niederhorn to Burgfeldstand, then hike down to Vorsaas – 7 km / 2h30

C: Niederhorn to Burgfeldstand to Gemmenalphorn (more difficult and exposed), loop back to Vorsaas – 11.2 km / 4h.

Option A: Short hike to Burgfeldstand Viewpoint

For casual hikers, we suggest hiking to Burgfeldstand, a viewpoint about 45 min hike from Niederhorn. You can hike back the way you came. Good with kids

Trail: 4.4 km round trip • 1h50 • 110m up and down • See trail map

Option B: Burgfeldstand viewpoint + loop down to Vorsass

Same trail as above. But after the viewpoint, you hike back towards Niederhorn, but fork left into the alpine meadows and forest. This gives you a different experience on the way back. It ends at the Vorsass middle station of the gondola.

Trail: 7 km • 2h30 • 90m up, 450m down • See trail map

Option C: Full ridge

For a longer, more exciting hike, continue past Burgfeldstand on the ridge trail to the Gemmenalphorn viewpoint. Then loop down and back through alpine meadows and forests to the Vorsass gondola station. This section has more exposed areas with steep slopes that require steady footing. Not suitable if you are afraid of heights.

Trail: 11.2km • 4h • 260m up, 630m down • See trail map

How to get there

All of these trails start from the Niederhorn viewpoint.

To get there, start with the Beatenbucht-Beatenberg funicular - Location: Beatenbucht • bus stop Beatenbucht.

Then transfer to the Beatenberg-Niederhorn gondola for the rest of the way.

You can buy tickets at the funicular. No need to buy in advance.

Free with the Berner Oberland Pass. Discount with Swiss Travel Pass, SBB GA and Half-fare cards.

More info: Niederhorn website • webcam • forecast