Is Schynige Platte Worth Visiting? My Favourite Surprise in Switzerland
Before this trip, Schynige Platte wasn’t even close to the top of my Switzerland bucket list.
Like most people planning their first visit to the Jungfrau Region, I was focused on the places you see all over Instagram—Jungfraujoch, Grindelwald First, Lauterbrunnen and Mürren. Schynige Platte only made it onto our itinerary because we had an extra day between sections of our Bernese Oberland Traverse.
Looking back, I’m so glad it did.
In fact, if someone asked me today for my top three experiences in the Jungfrau Region, Schynige Platte would absolutely make the list.
What surprised me most wasn’t necessarily that the scenery was beautiful—you expect that almost everywhere in Switzerland—but how complete the experience felt.
The historic cogwheel railway is an attraction in itself, the hiking is spectacular, the wildflowers were some of the best we saw during our entire two-week trip, and unlike many of Switzerland’s most famous viewpoints, it never felt overwhelmingly busy.
The Panorama Trail quickly became one of my favourite hikes of the trip, and adding the short climb to Oberberghorn gave us incredible ridge-top views over Interlaken on one side and the Bernese Alps on the other.
If you’re someone who enjoys hiking, photography, or simply spending time in the mountains rather than checking off tourist attractions, I genuinely think Schynige Platte is one of the best day trips in Switzerland.
It’s also one of the few places I’d happily return to on a future visit.
Schynige Platte at a Glance
Location Near Wilderswil, Bernese Oberland
Elevation 1,967 m
Access Historic cogwheel railway from Wilderswil
Best For Hiking, ridge walks, wildflowers, panoramic views
Time Needed Half day to full day
Best Time to Visit Late June–September
Difficulty Easy to moderate (depending on trail)
My Rating ★★★★★
Worth the Cost? Absolutely
Where is Schynige Platte?
Schynige Platte sits above Wilderswil, just outside Interlaken, in the heart of the Bernese Oberland.
It’s famous for its historic cogwheel railway, incredible hiking trails and panoramic views of Lake Thun, Lake Brienz and the surrounding Bernese Alps.
Despite being so close to Interlaken, it receives a fraction of the visitors that head to Jungfraujoch or Grindelwald First.
How to Get There
One of the best parts of visiting Schynige Platte is that getting there is all part of the experience.
The journey begins in the small village of Wilderswil, just a five-minute train ride from Interlaken Ost. From there, you’ll board the historic Schynige Platte Railway, which has been climbing the mountainside since 1893.
The train takes around 50 minutes to reach Schynige Platte, climbing through forests, alpine meadows and increasingly spectacular mountain scenery as you gain nearly 1,400 metres of elevation.
If possible, I’d recommend sitting on the right-hand side of the train on the way up for some of the best views over the valley.
We travelled throughout Switzerland using the Swiss Half Fare Card, which reduced the cost of the railway ticket by 50%. If you’re planning to visit several mountain destinations during your trip, I think the Half Fare Card is one of the best investments you can make.
If you’re driving, parking is available at Wilderswil Station, but honestly, I wouldn’t recommend renting a car for this itinerary. Switzerland’s train network is exceptional, and we found it much easier to travel everywhere using public transportation.
💡 Cassie’s Tip: Take one of the first trains of the day if you’re planning to hike. Not only will you have more time to explore, but you’ll also enjoy quieter trails and softer light for photography.
Is Schynige Platte Worth It?
Yes.
While everyone seems to flock to Jungfraujoch or Harder Kulm, Schynige Platte feels quieter, more authentic and much more focused on hiking.
If you’re someone who enjoys getting out on the trail rather than simply visiting viewpoints, I think you’ll appreciate it even more.
Best Things to Do
Ride the Historic Cogwheel Railway
Even if you didn’t plan to hike, I’d still recommend taking the train.
Dating back to 1893, the Schynige Platte Railway is one of Switzerland’s oldest mountain railways and feels like stepping back in time. The vintage carriages, open windows and slow climb into the mountains give you plenty of time to soak in the scenery.
Rather than rushing to the top, the journey becomes part of the adventure.
As the train climbs, the views gradually open up until you’re looking across Interlaken, Lake Thun, Lake Brienz and the surrounding mountains.
For me, it was one of the most enjoyable railway journeys of our entire Switzerland trip.
Hike the Panorama Trail
This is the reason most people come to Schynige Platte—and for good reason.
The Panorama Trail is a relatively easy alpine hike that delivers incredible scenery almost the entire way. You’ll walk through rolling meadows, colourful wildflowers and panoramic ridges with constant views of the Bernese Alps.
Unlike many of Switzerland’s more famous hikes, we found it surprisingly quiet. Even in July, we often had long stretches of trail almost entirely to ourselves.
If you only have time for one hike here, this is the one I’d recommend.
Climb Oberberghorn
This ended up being my favourite part of the entire day.
The climb isn’t particularly long, but it adds just enough elevation to reward you with one of the best viewpoints in the region.
One of my favourite sections was the long staircase leading up toward the summit. It felt like climbing straight into the mountains, and every few minutes we’d stop to admire another incredible view.
From the top, you can look down over Interlaken and both lakes while turning around to see the towering peaks of the Bernese Alps behind you.
If you’re already hiking the Panorama Trail, don’t skip this short detour.
Visit the Alpine Garden
Near the railway station you’ll also find the Schynige Platte Alpine Garden, home to hundreds of alpine plant species native to Switzerland.
While the garden is interesting, I actually found the wildflowers growing naturally along the hiking trails even more impressive.
If you’re visiting in July like we did, the meadows themselves become one giant alpine garden.
How Long Should You Spend Here?
I’d recommend allowing an entire day.
Between the train ride, hiking, lunch and simply taking in the scenery, there’s no reason to rush.
If you’re trying to decide between Harder Kulm and Schynige Platte, I’d spend the day here instead.
My Recommended One-Day Itinerary
If you’re visiting Schynige Platte as a day trip, this is exactly how I’d spend the day.
8:00–9:00 a.m.
Take the train from Interlaken to Wilderswil before boarding the Schynige Platte Railway.
10:00 a.m.
Arrive at Schynige Platte and spend a few minutes enjoying the views before the hiking begins.
10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Hike the Panorama Trail, including the climb to Oberberghorn.
1:00 p.m.
Enjoy lunch or a picnic while taking in the mountain views.
2:00 p.m.
Visit the Alpine Garden or simply relax near the viewpoint.
3:00–4:00 p.m.
Ride the historic railway back down to Wilderswil before returning to Interlaken.
Who Should Visit?
I think Schynige Platte is one of those places that appeals to a surprisingly wide range of travellers.
You’ll love it if you:
Enjoy hiking but don’t necessarily want an all-day epic.
Love landscape photography.
Visit Switzerland during wildflower season.
Enjoy historic trains and mountain railways.
Like spending an entire day outdoors rather than rushing between attractions.
You may want to skip it if you:
Aren’t interested in walking at all.
Only have a few hours in the Jungfrau Region.
Are looking for adventure activities like zip lines or mountain carts (Grindelwald First is a better fit).
My Tips
Start early.
The train ride is part of the experience, and giving yourself a full day means you won’t feel rushed on the trails.
Bring proper hiking shoes.
Although the trails are well maintained, they’re still mountain trails with uneven terrain and loose rock in places.
Dress in layers.
Even on a warm summer day, temperatures can change quickly once you’re above 2,000 metres.
Bring your camera.
The scenery changes constantly throughout the hike, and this ended up being one of the most photogenic days of our entire trip.
Don’t rush back to Interlaken.
It’s tempting to catch an earlier train once you’ve finished hiking, but slowing down and spending a little extra time enjoying the mountain atmosphere is part of what makes Schynige Platte so special.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Schynige Platte worth visiting?
Without question.
Is Schynige Platte better than Harder Kulm?
For hiking, absolutely.
How difficult is the Panorama Trail?
Generally easy, with optional side trips that add more elevation.
Is it family friendly?
Yes, although younger children may find some of the longer hikes tiring.
Can you visit without hiking?
Absolutely. The train ride and viewpoints alone make the trip worthwhile.
Interested in the Ultimate Swiss Adventure?
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