Glaubenbielen to Sörenberg along the North Side of Brienzer Rothorn Range

Sunday August 2, 2026 -- With more hot temperatures in the coming week, and possibilities of thunderstorms in the afternoon, we headed out early again for a mountain hike nearby, going back to the Glaubenbielen Pass where we had started another hike recently (June 13, photos HERE), but this time we got there by bus from Giswil along the Panorama Road, instead of coming up from the Sörenberg side like last time. 

The first part of the hike took us back to the Jänzimatt farm, but from there we ultimately headed westward toward Sörenberg, with a detour into another mountain farm called "Mittlist Arni", and ending at the base station of the Brienzer Rothorn cable-way. Along the way we had some nice mountain trails, trails through soft peaty landscape, observed some chamois (always a treat) and had refreshments and dessert at a "Beizli", which is a small family-run farm with outdoor seating. (They also sold cheese there, which we purchased). 

We could have continued on to Sörenberg along the Waldemme River (which has its source on the northern flanks of the Brienzer Rothorn mountain) but it had gotten very hot by then, and since we had already walked 8 kilometers (and would not have made it all the way to Sörenberg before the next hourly bus), we just waited for the 12:45 bus at the cable-car station for the two-hour trip back home. The weather conditions were perfect for this hike, and we really enjoyed it. 

Leaving home (from Zug this time) at 6:40, we were on our way to Giswil here along Lake Sarnen (8:10 for this photo) to switch to the small bus to go up the Glaubenbielen Pass (at the arrow). 

Early morning light at Lake Sarnen. 

Across from the Giswil train station is the pretty "Gasthaus zum Bahnhof". A short wait and we take the small bus up the panorama road to the Glaubenbielen Pass. 

This is the small bus for the approx. 30-minute drive to the pass. Unfortunately a young couple decided they wanted to do a hike this day with their approx. 6-month old baby, who cried for the entire 30-minute trip. It was excruciating... normally I'd get out and take the next bus, but this was not possible. There were about 10 people in the bus. 

Because of the unending heat this summer, the trees are starting to get their "autumn" colours much too soon. 

A lovely trip up the Glaubenbielen Panorama Road, with many switchbacks. Fortunately, the grass is still green here. 

By 8:55 we were on our way. A look back to the bus (which heads back to Giswil from here) and good-bye to the screaming baby, which, of course, is not crying any more. We have started and ended several very nice hikes here. 

Directly to the north we see the lovely forested hillsides between the Glaubenberg Pass and the Glaubenbielen Pass directly below us. We did a very nice hike once between these two passes (Starting at Glaubenberg and ending here at Glaubenbielen) in October 2020. 

And directly to the south of us we can see the "cauldron" called Arni, with the Mittlist Arni farm which is the main goal of today's hike, as we have never walked there before. (We have done the Brienzer Rothorn Crest Hike though, passing above that alp, in August 2019, also ending here at the Glaubenbielen Pass). 

To the south is the Brienzer Rothorn peak (and range) which most people know from the other side, as the popular steam train makes its way up to the crest from Brienz. (On the other side is Canton Bern, and here we are in Canton Obwalden.) 

Starting at about 9 a.m. at the Glaubenbielen parking lot, we first made our way via the Jänzimatt farm, where we had recently walked to cross the "Furgge" to Fluonalp (photos HERE). Then we took a trail we'd not done before to the Mittlist Arni Alp, and then down to the base station of the Rothorn cable-way in Sörenberg, which we reached at 12:30. (Along the way we stopped at the Arnischwand farm for refreshments). We had considered continuing for the 45 minutes right into the village of Sörenberg, but by then it was too hot. 

Walking past the Jänzimatt Chapel, which we had visited on our June 13th Hike. 

In the background are the peaks of the Giswilerstock range, where we crossed (at the lowest point above the chapel on the photo) on the June 13th hike. 

It is in small buildings such as this one that they store the cheese that they make up here on the alp.

We left the main trail to pass through the buildings of the Jänzimatt farm, where they make the cheese. (Apparently you can also buy the cheese here). On the upper right is a pass called the "Chringe Pass", which we have crossed twice (once in each direction), most recently in August 2025 when we first visited the Fluonalp mountain dairy farm. 

View to the west to the Jänzimatt farm buildings, Brienzer Rothorn on the left, and the Schrattenfluh range at the far back on the right. 

Now we are back on the "regular" trail.... This section we have walked once before, when we also crossed the Giswiler Range to Fluonalp in August 2025. 

A look back at the Jänzimatt Chapel 

It was at this ravine where we headed up to the Chringe Pass the last time we were here in August 2025, but from here on, the trail is new to us. 

Now we have the summit of Mt.Brienzer Rothorn ahead of us as we hike into a side "valley". You can see the buildings of the summit stations of both the Rothorn cableway (up from this side to the middle building) and the Rothorn Cogwheel Railway (up from Brienz on the south side, i.e. the further building at the arrow). 

As it was early and we had a lot of shady sections, it was very comfortable to do our hike. 

A look behind us to the east to where we crossed on our June hike. 

Amazingly, the trail was quite wet, considering we have had very little rain for a while now. So on this section we had to walk carefully. 

This little group of heifers was just below our trail but near the ravine. Urs was worried about them and kept an eye out for a possible mountain farmer, to ask if they might have gotten out of a fenced area. But we met no one along the way. 

From the south side of the ravine now, we look back at the Jänzimatt farm which we had passed through earlier, where we started our hike from the left of that small mountain. 

Further to the northwest on the north side of the panorama road (which heads back down to Sörenberg on this side) is a mountain called Nünalpstock, which we summited on a very spectacular hike in October 2021, also starting and ending at the Glaubenbielen Parking Lot. 

Up ahead is where we are headed, to a side "valley" with an alpine farm called Mittlist Arni. Right above there, but not visible from here, is a lake called Arniseeli, which can be seen (and reached) from the Brienzer Rothorn Crest Hike, which we did in August 2019.

And to our pleasant surprise, we then caught sight of a herd of chamois grazing on the steep hillside above our trail! This is always a treat!

Trying to get a good close-up shot of the chamois, one of which is observing us carefully! It is hard to get a sharp photo from this far distance. 

Watching the chamois watching us, as we continue down the trail!

To the west now, a full view of the Schrattenfluh range. At 6 km in length, the Schrattenfluh is one of the largest continuous limestone regions in Switzerland

Reaching the beautiful alpine pastures called Arni. 

Getting closer now to the farm at Mittlist Arni. We knocked at the door of the main building because Urs really wanted to let someone know about the little cows, but no one answered. There were a couple of vehicles here, but the mountain farmers are surely up on the hillsides doing some kind of work. We got here at 10:30.

More of those little buildings which seem to be the place where the farmers keep their wheels of cheese during the summer for curing and ageing. 

Farmhouse at Mittlist Arni, with a stunning cable-way which goes up from here to the little Arnisee Lake, and down all the way to the Arnischwand Farm where we are headed next. 

Now we're headed northwards again down the road which had led up to the Mittlist Arni Farm. Up ahead through the trees we can see buildings, which are another farm called Arnischwand, where they also make and sell cheese, and as it turns out, have a bit of a terrace restaurant there. 

Zoomed view of the Arnischwand Farm. 

Descending along a winding paved road, which was not an issue as there were no cars and it was not yet getting too hot. 

Up at about the arrow is where we came down from. 

We got to the Arnischwand farm at 11:20 and decided to stop for refreshments. We debated eating here (many such farms offer simple meals cooked in their kitchens and served on outdoor terraces), but Urs decided he wanted his favourite meringue dessert!

First Urs ordered a milkshake, and I had our standard cold Panaché. Then Urs decided he wanted a dessert instead of a cheese platter or cheese toast. 

Details of our break at the Arnischwand farm: Fresh milkshakes for 3.50 in a variety of flavours, Meringue dessert with ice cream and whipped cream, and the purchase of some very tasty garlic cheese, made here on the farm. We took a 30-minute break here. 

The owner of the farm is also named Urs, (and the bench is a commemoration of his 50th birthday) but I can't pass up an opportunity for an "Urs Photo"!!!

Maybe also a cheese storage shed? How pretty. 

Looking back at the Arnischwand Farm and where we had descended from Mittlist Arni Alp, after hiking over from the left side of the photo.

Then we walked through a lovely marshy grasslands region. Sometimes we come across thesw special structures where the cut grass is piled to dry. 

Another look behind us to the Giswilerstock massif, as we make our way toward Sörenberg, or rather to the cable-car station of the Brienzer Rothorn cable-car. 

Still enjoying the fact that there is enough shade so that we are not suffering in the uncomfortable heat of the day. 

We knew we would be crossing the Canton Border at some point. The borders are marked with these borderstones. On this side: "OW" = Obwalden. On the other side it is Canton Luzern. Urs is in Canton Luzern, and I am still in Obwalden!

Crossing the Waldemme River, which has its source here at the northern flanks of Mt.Brienzer Rothorn. (The Waldemme joins another river at Schüpfheim to become the Kleine Emme River, not to be confused with the main Emme River which gives its name to the Emmental Region). 

As we arrived at the cable-car station at 12:30, one of the large cabin cars was just coming down from the Brienzer Rothorn crest. This is a cable-car I have yet to ride on. 

Till now it was only an easy 8-km walk, and we could have continued along the Waldemme River all the way into the main village of Sörenberg, but we covered that ground once in winter (photos HERE, although not the same thing), but it was getting hot, and this outing was perfect just the way it was. 

The 12:45 bus arriving just on time, for the trip down the valley to the train station in Schüpfheim (then continuing via Luzern to Zug). 

What our hike looks like on Google Satellite Maps. Starting at the Glaubenbielen Parking Lot, via Jänzimatt, Mittlist Arni and Arnischwand to the Brienzer Rothorn Cable-Car station. 8 km, 3½ hours. 

All the hikes we have done in this region around Sörenberg and the Brienzer Rothorn and Giswilerstock. 

Location of Glaubenbielen and Brienzer Rothorn within Switzerland.