Brienz Rothorn railway

Seasonal operation 2024 suspended

The operation of the Brienz Rothorn Railway in the current season has been suspended due to the massive damage caused by the unusual natural storm on 12 August 2024.
Please find further information on the Brienz-Rothorn Railway website. 

The steam locomotive and its red carriages will transport you through the verdant forests and on towards the summit. The longer the trip takes, the more breathtaking the views become. Once at the top, climb the last few metres to the summit and be rewarded with an impressive view of over 693 mountain peaks.

Your steam-train journey begins in Brienz. From there, the 7.6 km route takes you to the Rothorn Kulm summit station in just over an hour. The steam locomotive with its red carriages puffs its way up the mountain, passing through green forests and tunnels. There is a brief stop at the midway station at Planalp, where the locomotive refills its tank with water for the rest of the journey. As you continue your journey, you will enjoy an incredible panorama of the surrounding mountains and turquoise-coloured Lake Brienz. Once you reach the summit, the Berghaus awaits with Swiss specialities and overnight accommodation. The panoramic view from the summit is unforgettable.

Wide variety of special trips to the Brienzer Rothorn

The Brienz Rothorn Railaway is operational from June to October. There are plenty of things to do in and around the railway and the Brienzer Rothorn. A special treat is the “Steam Sausage Cruiser”. Enjoy a delicious sausage filled with cheese and cooked in a copper kettle at the stopover on Planalp, accompanied by a drink and some “rail rack bread”, which is baked in the shape of a cogwheel. The Salon Rouge, a bar and restaurant on wheels, offers a unique culinary ride in your own private train. A footplate ride provides an exclusive and unique insight into the world of the steam locomotive and enables you to experience the ride through the locomotive driver’s eyes.

Your highlights at a glance

• Unique steam train ride
• The trip by steam train to the summit takes about one hour
• During the train ride be amazed by the mountain panorama with a view of Lake Brienz
• Wide variety of things to do for all ages
• Special trips such as the “Steam Sausage Cruiser” or the exclusive footplate ride

To ensure that your trip is perfect in every way, please note

• Early seat reservation recommended
• Allow at least five hours for a trip to the Brienzer Rothorn
• Inform yourself in advance about the railway’s operating hours
• Check for weather-related timetable changes