Harder Kulm, Interlaken: How To Reach, Best Time & Tips

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Harder Kulm Overview

Ever wondered what would give you the best panoramic view of the Swiss Alps? Switzerland teems with such viewpoints but the one that tops the list is the Harder Kulm mountain in the beautiful city of Interlaken!

Standing at 1322 m above sea level, the Harder Kulm is the nearest mountain to Interlaken. It offers spectacular vistas of the Jungfrau, Monch and Eiger peaks. Harder Kulm is not just a viewing-platform, but also a springboard for adventure activities and nature-lovers. For those seeking budget travel in Switzerland, Harder Kulm serves as an accessible gateway to awe-inspiring landscapes, making it a perfect destination for those looking to explore the Swiss Alps without breaking the bank.

Atop the Harder Kulm is the popular Panorama Restaurant, which resembles a castle straight out of a fairy-tale book. Apart from the sumptuous local fare one can indulge in at the restaurant, the sundeck here is a great place to capture beautiful shots of the Swiss Alps - the best time for this being sunset.

Just within easy reach of the restaurant, there is the Zwei-Seen-Steg or the Two-lake Footbridge that offers panoramic vistas of the Interlaken and the majestic mountain peaks. So, gear up for one-of-a-kind experience at Harder Kulm! Explore the different trails of natural beauty, feel the highs of capturing the Alps at its best!

How To Reach

Harder Kulm is connected to the Interlaken Airport by:

- Bus (line 103) followed by a funicular ride to the top of Harder Kulm

- Direct Bus Line(104)

- Taxi, which is expensive but is less time consuming as well

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Interlaken’s local mountain would be June to August when the temperatures are slightly warm. As for the best time of the day, evenings are ideal to capture the beauty of Harder Kulm as it offers spectacular views of the sunset behind the magnificent Alps

With the panoramic vistas that promise Instagram-worthy shots, you need to plan your visit to Harder Kulm keeping in mind the climate and weather conditions of the region.

Other Essential Information

- Location: 3800, Interlaken, Bern Canton region , Parent range : Emmental Alps

- Entry fee: Funicular from Harder Kulm base station, EUR 30, return trip

- Opening hours: Monday – Saturday; 9:30 am – 9:30 pm; Sunday 8:30 am – 9:30 pm

- Distance from Interlaken Airport: 22 min (6.8 km) via Xender Bergstrasse

Highlights of Harder Kulm

- Interlaken’s local mountain, Harder Kulm is a popular viewpoint at an elevation of 1322 m above sea level.

- The peak is nestled in the Bernese Oberland. Overlooking Switzerland’s tourist hotspots, Interlaken and Unterseen, Harder Kulm offers panoramic views of the popular Alpine peaks – Eiger, Jungfrau and Monch.

- A castle-like restaurant at this viewpoint serves authentic Swiss cuisine, along with staging Swiss folklore in its sun terrace during certain months.

- Just close to the restaurant is the Two-lakes Footbridge which opens to spectacular vistas of the lakes Breinz and Thun.

- The best moments of Harder Kulm can be captured during sunset, when the mountains don a pinkish glow of the setting sun.

- Along the trail to Harder Kulm are many attractions such as the Alpine Harder Wildlife park that shelters some of the rare local species.

Tips on visiting Harder Kulm

While you brace up for a breath-taking views of the world-famous Jungfrau region from Harder Kulm, here are a few tips before you head up the trail:

- Keep in mind about the outfit you choose to wear. Check the local weather conditions and consider wearing warm clothing as the viewpoint is at a considerable altitude. As regards the footwear, ensure that you have your sneakers or comfortable walking shoes as you will be able to explore the top only on foot.

- Wear sunglasses to avoid the blinding glare of the sun at such altitudes.

- Sunset time is the ideal time of the day to visit Harder Kulm especially if you are eager for the picture postcard shots of the Alps and the surrounding landscape.

- If you are not choosing to hike the trail, the funicular ride is the only option to reach the summit.

- If you have a Swiss travel pass, check on the discount available on your Harder Kulm tickets.

- While you visit Harder Kulm, you can explore the nearby attractions like Interlaken, Unterseen, the Harder Alpine Wildlife park , Schynige Platte etc

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Harder Kulm FAQs

How long does it take to hike Harder Kulm?

The 4 km-long hiking trail starts from the Interlaken Ost station and zigzags its way up to an altitude of 1322 m. The difference in altitude from the base to the peak is about 809 m and the approximate time taken the entire hike is around 2 ½ hrs.

Can you drive to Harder Kulm?

It's not possible to drive to Harder Kulm up to the summit because of the rugged terrain from the Interlaken Ost station. However, you can hire a ride upto the Interlaken Ost station. A short walk from this station leads to the Harder Kulm funicular from where you can take a ride to the summit.

Is Harder Kulm free with Swiss Pass?

With a Swiss Pass, you can avail 50% discount on the funicular railway ticket to Harder Kulm. The Swiss pass covers almost the entire network of the Swiss transport – boats, rail and bus, with discounts on mountain top trains and cable cars, along with free entries to many museums in the region.

Harder Kulm Reviews

Durgeshwari Deshpande

Reviewed: 12 Jun 2022

5.0/5

Booked:Paragliding In Interlaken

This was my first time paragliding, and it was the best experience of my whole life. The guides were very helpful and professional, and the sceneries of Interlaken were straight out of a movie and all thanks to Thrillophilia for giving such amazing deals.

Kashyap Trivedi

Reviewed: 27 Mar 2022

5.0/5

Booked:Funicular Ticket to Harder Kulm, Interlaken

We booked this round-way train trip to Harder Kulm to enjoy the stunning beauty of the Swiss mountainside. I must say the trip was awesome and the surrounding views from the train left us spellbound. The arrangements of the Thrillophilia team were up to the mark. The best part was that I scheduled i... Read More

Shashi Naik

Reviewed: 15 Jul 2022

4.0/5

Booked:Paragliding In Interlaken

Flying at the Interlaken was one of the most enchanting experiences we had in Switzerland. My partner and I signed up for it. Neither of us had any prior experience in the sport but there was an instructor to guide us along. Interlaken is most beautiful to begin with, but the bird's eye views are ju... Read More

Pooja Dhandhukiya

Reviewed: 19 Jun 2022

4.0/5

Booked:Funicular Ticket to Harder Kulm, Interlaken

Interlaken is a splendid beauty that my family and I enjoyed on our Switzerland expedition. I highly recommend witnessing the ethereal beauty of the sunrise on Eiger and Mönch. Absolutely wonderful scenery! Thanks thrillophilia for making our trip so memorable.

Ranjan Kumar

Reviewed: 12 May 2022

4.0/5

Booked:Funicular Ticket to Harder Kulm, Interlaken

If you’re visiting Interlaken, I’d definitely suggest a hike up to Harder Kulm. We got the tickets for the funicular ride from Thrillophilia, which came with great discounts. The ride in itself was fantastic, but the views from the top were even better. We left with some of the best pictures of our ... Read More

Purushottam Bandopadhyay

Reviewed: 04 Jan 2022

5.0/5

Booked:Funicular Ticket to Harder Kulm, Interlaken

The entire booking process with Thrillophilia was quick and hassle free. Their team was also very supportive. The trip overall, was amazing, and very comfortable, and me and my partner saw a lot of the places in Harder Kulm. All Thanks to Thrillophilia for such a great experience.