Schynige Platte to First over the Faulhorn

From the top of the Schynige Platte railway, with its alpine garden, the path climbs gently along the Oberberg and passes below the Loucherhorn. It crosses the grey limestone of the Güw, passes the little Sägistalsee and reaches Berghaus Männdlenen, tucked in a gap in the ridge. A steady climb leads on to the Faulhorn, with its old summit hotel and a view over Lake Brienz to the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The way then drops to the Bachalpsee and follows a broad path to the gondola station at First.

It is 16.1 km one way with 805 m of ascent and 598 m of descent; allow about 6 hours. The grade is Hard: a long day on marked mountain paths, stony in places, with no difficult ground.

Jungfrau Railways give mid-July to mid-October as the usual season, as snow lies late on the high ground. In 2026 the railway runs daily until 25 October. There is little shade and the weather can change quickly: carry water, warm clothes and waterproofs. Berghaus Männdlenen and the Faulhorn hotel close in autumn, so check before relying on them.

The Schynige Platte railway leaves from Wilderswil station, near Interlaken. At the end the gondola from First goes down to Grindelwald, where trains run back to Interlaken.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.