ViaBerna

You leave the small village of Isenfluh on its terrace above the Lauterbrunnen valley over meadows and past barns and stables. The old mule track negotiates the first steep incline below the threatening rock faces. In many twists and turns, it drops through the wild mountain forest down into the Lauterbrunnen valley. Soon you cross the road bridge over the Weisse Lütschine and reach the Zweilütschinen train station, where the trains to Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen are separated or coupled.

Across the Schwarze Lütschine, you arrive at Gündlischwand with its spacious Oberland houses. A short stretch on the valley path in the direction of Grindelwald, then you branch off onto the steep path that leads up through the first section of forest. A demanding, strenuous ascent over many hairpin bends begins. Crossing a rock wall, you come to a shelter where you can look out over the valley for the first time. After countless more hairpin bends, you reach Alp Schwand on a path that is also accessible to cattle herds. The view of the Oberland's four-thousand-metre peaks and the famous triumvirate of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau is now clear again. The trail climbs further to Alp Usserläger, from where a driveable dirt road leads up to the loop trail used by tourists and then to the railway station of the Schynige Platte.

Relieved and satisfied after completing the total of 1300 metres of ascent, you can now enjoy the comforts of the mountain hotel! A breathtaking view from its terrace rewards your previous efforts. It is better to save a visit to the nearby alpine garden for the next day. As soon as the last train of the historic cogwheel railway has left the station heading downhill, peace and quiet prevail on the Schynige Platte.