Niederhorn Panorama Trail with fantastic views of the Bernese Alps

Wednesday September 3, 2025 -- Another hike I have long wanted to do was along the crest north of the summit of Mt.Niederhorn, a very nice view mountain on the north side of Lake Thun in the Bernese Oberland. 

There are still lots of tourists in the region, but Mt. Niederhorn isn't one of the more popular view mountains, which is a good thing because it's not overrun with foreigners. Especially not when you get there early as we did, getting to the summit (with funicular and cable-car) at 10 a.m. after leaving home at about 6 a.m. We wanted to get there early because it was going to be a long hike and the weather forecast was for sunny all day.

Had we checked the weather forecast in the morning, we would have left an hour later, as now it was going to be overcast till noon, a real disappointment because the main point of this hike was to enjoy the view of the Bernese Alps from close up and above! By the time we got to the summit, it was cold, even a bit rainy, and the mountains were hidden in clouds. Fortunately, there was a restaurant at the summit, where we spent an hour waiting for the clouds to lift...which they eventually did.

The rest of the hike over the ridge northwards to two view peaks with fantastic views into the Justis Valley to the West, and then down through a lovely karst landscape to the village of Habkern was quite spectacular, not too strenuous (except for the long descent) and we were treated with the sight of a herd of Ibex (about 30 females and young ones) which hang around up there and seem totally unbothered by the many people who pass by there!

(Side note added later: About a week after we were here, the cable-way from Beatenberg to Niederhorn was shut down due to technical problems, which they won't be able to fix until at least December. That means no more trips up here this year, and they hope to be running again during the ski season!)

After leaving home at just after 6 a.m., we got to the base station of the Beatenbucht funicular at 9:00 a.m.. We were expecting cloudless skies as per the weather forecast the night before, but now the forecast has changed to clouds till noon!

The view over Lake Thun as the funicular heads up to Beatenberg (from where one changes to a cable-car). The town below on the south side of the lake is Spiez, and the mountain is Mt.Stockhorn. We hiked to the summit there in September 2023. 

Once we got to Beatenberg, we didn't continue on the cable-way right away, as the sun was shining here. So we sat on a bench at the station for a while, and watched till the next funicular came up from Beatenbucht. 

The second section of the trip up to the summit of Mt.Niederhorn is via this cable-way. We were fairly early so the gondolas were not yet full of tourists and hikers. 

We were up at the summit at 10 a.m., and the mountains of the Bernese Oberland, which we had come to see, were all covered in clouds. Weather forecast had for clearing by noon, so another two hours to go! At this point, I realized we could have left home an hour later, and still had enough time to complete our hike! (Mapped as a four-hour hike). 

First we walked to a look-out point where we can see the west end of Lake Thun. The sky was overcast, and it even started to rain, so there was no point in starting on our hike yet. We decided to go into the restaurant for a cup of coffee and to wait till the clouds started to lift (the sky to the west was cloud-free). 

We spent just under an hour in the restaurant, and then decided to start on our hike, as we figured we'd have some nice views in a couple of hours while still on the crest of the mountain. 

50 minutes later we were back at the same view-point before starting on our hike. It's really clearing up now in the west!

A very nice look into the Frutig Valley directly to the south of here. (Straight ahead the valley goes to Adelboden, and on the left are the Suld Valley, the Kien Valley and the Frutig Valley turning toward Kandersteg! What a view.) 

And the first view we had to the north up the Justis Valley as we started on our hike northwards here along the ridge on the right. The pass at the back is called Sichle, and we have long wanted to hike into this valley from the north side (a long, total 4½-hour hike to Beatenberg). This stunning view into the valley made us want to do this even more!

One of the viewpoints near the summit station at Mt.Niederhorn. By now, at about 11 a.m., there were a whole lot more people up here than an hour earlier!

I am always happy when we find one of the red frames from the "Grand Tour of Switzerland" 

At 11:10 we were on our way to our hike. This is the view into the Bernese Alps which we came for, and even though the main peaks (Eiger, Jungfrau) are still hidden, the view is getting better. 

Starting at the Niederhorn summit, we walked northwards along the Güggisgrat (Güggis Crest) over two view peaks ending at Gemmenalphorn (part of the Niederhorn Panorama Trail) where we had our picnic lunch. Originally we had planned to continue along the "Panorama Trail" (No.342) to Waldegg, but we had done a winter trail that way in December 2017 (photos HERE) and thus decided to head down to Habkern instead, to join up other trails we had done. We started at about 11 a.m., and got to Habkern at about 4:30 p.m. 

Description of the Niederhorn Panorama Trail

Another fantastic view up the Justis Valley and the summits of the hills we are walking along on the right. 

Heading along the trail now, we could see people off the trail looking at something, and we noticed there was an ibex lying in the grass. Now it has suddenly gotten very interesting. 

Getting closer now, we saw this was a whole herd of about 15 animals here, all females and young ones! So very exciting. 

These beautiful animals were not at all bothered by all the people walking nearby!

Trying to get close enough for a photo together with the ibex!

Beautiful! In the background is Mt.Jungfrau. You can see the two horns called the "Silberhörnli", but the summit is still hidden in the clouds. 

Continuing on we came to a second herd of ibex, many more this time, and lots of little ones. 

I wasn't the only one taking photos! These animals are beautiful!

They weren't even bothered with us getting so close!

VIDEO:

Watching the ibex on Mt.Niederhorn

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So these ibex herds were not 20 minutes away from the summit (restaurant/station!). Now we are finally REALLY on the way, with an hour and 10 minutes to the summit of Gemmenalphorn, which is the last hill before we head down the mountain (ultimately ending in Habkern). 

The first uphill climb was to a summit called Burgfeldstand. Many of the hikers came as far as here after seeing the ibex, but we were able to keep enough distance. 

All along the way we had views in all directions. 

The cliffs below the trail looking down into the Justis Valley were fascinating.

Paragliding is popular here. The peaks are visible now: To the far left (white peak) is Mt.Finsteraarhorn, the highest peak in the Bernese Alps. Then is the north face of Mt.Eiger, then Mönch and Jungfrau. 

It's now just after noon, and the weather report was corrrect: We now have blue skies for the rest of the afternoon.

VIDEO:

Watching the paraglider

Close-up view of Mt.Jungfrau

Absolutely beautiful!

At 12:15 we got to the first summit: Burgfeldstand, the highest peak on this ridge. We took a small snack break here before continuing on. 

Up ahead we can see the ultimate peak we are walking to, before heading down the mountain to the valley to the right. The trail was easy to walk and very interesting. 

That's me on the trail below!

And a view behind us. 

The final peak up ahead! 

Just after 1 p.m. we reached the summit of Gemmenalphorn, with the fabulous backdrop of the Bernese Alps. 

A few other hikers up here, but lots of space for everyone!

Success at the summit of Mt. Gemmenalphorn at about 1 p.m. 

Panorama view from our lunch spot! On the right are the Bernese Alps near Interlaken, and then you can see the ridge from Harder Kulm to the summit of Augstmatthorn. We stayed up here for an hour, and later walked over the open landscape below. 

It didn't take the alpine choughs long to figure out we were having our picnic lunch up here!

They are used to eating right out of your hands! Urs gave it a piece of pretzel, and from me it got a cranberry... 

Enjoying the sunshine and the views on top of Mt. Gemmenalphorn. 

A zoomed view of the Harder Kulm Hotel (at the south end of the Harder ridge) which is also a popular tourist destination, accessed by a funicular from Interlaken Ost on the other side. 

Close-up look at Mt.Schrekhorn and Mt.Finsteraarhorn

We spent a lot of time admiring the Sichle passage to the north, which we really want to hike over one day. Just to the north of that passage is the border between Canton Bern and the Entlebuch region of Canton Luzern. 

View from our private spot next to the summit, and with enough privacy from most of the other people. 

I can't get enough of the view.

Another close-up of the Jungfrau. and to the left, you can just make out the Sphinx Observatory at the Jungfraujoch, a most popular excursion goal for foreign tourists. 

A closer look at the Sphinx Observatory at Jungfraujoch. 

After spending an hour up here, it is now 2 p.m. and time to continue on our hike, as we have another two hours to go!

Our trail winds down the northwest side of this peak!

A look down the Justis Valley as we descend

(These two ladies had ridden up with us in the cable-car, and it turns out they were doing the same hike we did this day! We passed each other several times along the way, and exchanged pleasantries). 

Now our trail heads eastward down into the valley north of the Harder Crest and Mt. Augstmatthorn. We have hiked up to the summit of that mountain and walked down the crest toward the right, and ultimately descending to Habkern village from the other side. Those fantastic photos are HERE. 

An interesting section through karst (limestone) landscape

Even though we decided not to continue along the "official" panorama trail, we had this panorama almost all the way down to Habkern. 

Those two recognizable peaks are Mt. Schreckhorn on the left, and Mt. Finsteraarhorn in the center. 

And a close-up look at Mt.Finsteraarhorn, the highest peak in the Bernese Alps (4274m)

Almost everywhere there are fountains for filling up our bottles!

At this point we had three options to reach Habkern. The shortest option meant a longer stretch along a paved road, so we picked the 1 hour 20 minute option through forest (which turned out to be somewhat wet and rather steep!). It's now 15:06 and we need to catch the 16:36 bus, so no more space for breaks!

I must have taken a hundred photos of this view!

After a section through the forest, we now have a trail through pastureland. 

The peaks of Eiger-Mönch-Jungfrau are still visible over the Harder Crest. 

The rooftops of Habkern come into view, the end of our hike. 

Cows are so curious! This is the Simmental breed, the kind of cows you see in the regions of Bern and Western Switzerland. 

The roofs of the village of Habkern. 

And now, looking down the valley, we can see Lake Thun. 

Final stretch into the village of Habkern where we will catch the 16:36 bus to Interlaken West (It is now 16:27, and we made it with just a couple of minutes to spare!)

Cute houses in Habkern next to the bus stop in the center of the village. (This is about as far up the valley as the bus comes from Lake Thun level). 

What our hike looks like on Google Satellite Maps. To get to the summit of Mt.Niederhorn, you take a funicular from lake level, and then a cable-car from Beatenberg. 

Sitting on the front seat of the bus as it heads down the valley from Habkern toward Interlaken West. This view is what the tourists come for. 

The bus crosses the Aar River Canal into Interlaken West, from where we take a short train ride to Interlaken Ost. 

From Interlaken Ost we take the train of the Zentral Bahn via Meiringen and the Brünig Pass to Luzern. Leaving the station, you can see the looming peak of Mt. Jungfrau.

The train travels along the north side of Lake Brienz. Across the lake is the Giessbach Hotel, reached from lakeside by the oldest mountain cable railway in Europe (1879). Hidden within the forest are some fantastic waterfalls. This is also a favourite destination of foreign tourists. 

Up ahead is the town of Brienz at the east end of Lake Brienz. The train continues along the Hasli Valley to Meiringen, and then heads northwards of the Brünig Pass. This is the route of the Panorama Express train between Luzern and Interlaken, which has become popular with all the tourists. 

These are all the hikes we have done on the north side of both Lakes Thun and Lake Brienz. in July 2024 we descended from the Augstmatthorn to Habkern (pink). In April 2023 we started in Habkern (light blue) and walked down almost to lake level.  And in July 2019 we also hiked up to the Harder Ridge near Augstmatthorn and walked down to Harder Kulm hotel / funicular (purple). The green path starting at Niederhorn is the winter hike we did in December 2017.