Many may know this name thanks to the Gurten festival, but also on the other 361 days of the year Berne’s home mountain has plenty to offer to visitors, hikers and families from near and far.
Traffic-free Gurten is reached on a ride in the red carriages of the funicular railway, departing from Waben, in just a few minutes. And impressive views over and around the Aare and city of Berne, as well as Mittelland and Jura as far as the Alps are viewed from the observation tower up here.
Since 1899, the Gurtenbahn funicular railway has climbed the 858m mountain where day-trippers relax and enjoy the view. Used as a golf course until 1959, the Gurten fields now offer free access and plenty of barbecue spots. Families appreciate the electric cars, miniature railway with steam locomotives and cog-wheel sections, climbing frame, frisbee and bowling.
In winter – given the right snow conditions – there is a toboggan run to the Grünenboden middle station and a miniature ski lift on the Gurten fields.
Information
Altitude: 856m
Accessibility: From Bahnhof Bern by S-Bahn to Wabern or withTram No. 9 to Wabern-Gurtenbahn, funicular railway to Gurten
View: Over the city of Berne, and from the viewing tower, all-round views of the Alps, Emmen Valley and Jura – and from the Ostsignal information center, across the Bernese Alps with Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau
Attractions: Miniature railway, in part with steam locomotives and cog-wheel sections, large playing field (former Gurten golfing green)
Culinary aspects: «Tapis Rouge» self-service restaurant, Restaurant «Gurtners» with stylish interior, Brunch at the Gurten Pavilion
Overnight stays: only a few hotel rooms
Groups: Gewölbekeller, banquet facilities, up-town stage hall (between 80 and several hundred people)
Winter: Mountain rail in operation, toboggan-run by sufficient snow
Special comments: Annual Gurten Festival
Reduced rate mountain rail ascent with the Swiss Travel Pass/GA travelcard.
Buy your tickets on arrival at the station.
