Harderbahn

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The Harderbahn

The Harderbahn is a funicular that runs from Interlaken (altitude 567m above sea level) to a station near the summit of the Harder Kulm (altitude 1322m), Interlaken’s own mountain. From the Harder Kulm station, a 5-minute walk takes you to the Harder Restaurant. The views from the restaurant terrace are spectacular, over the town, the Lakes of Thun and Brienz, the Lütschine valleys and the summits of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Clear weather is essential for a worthwhile visit.

The funicular, opened on 15th May 1908 has a length of 1435m and climbs a total of 755m (2340ft) from the lower station, situated nearby the Interlaken Ost train station (about a 5-minute walk), to the upper station (Harder Kulm) near the summit. The journey takes around ten minutes. The line, with a gauge of one metre, is single track with a single passing point and is operated by two coaches. Power supply is by a 400V three-phase system and the line uses the Stromsystem Drehstrom which controls the passing of the cars safely. The railway, unusually for a funicular, almost describes a quadrant and so does not cut a direct path through the woods and spoil the view of the mountain from the town.

[edit] Passenger Vehicles

The present two passenger cars, numbered 1 and 2, were constructed by specialist builders Carrossiere Gangolf AG of Bern. Each carry 62 passengers in 4 compartments.

[edit] Timetable

The line operates daily from the last weekend in April to the end of October with a regular service of trains :

Departures from Interlaken : 08h00*, 08h30*, 09h00 and every 30 minutes until 11h30, 11h45, 12h00, 13h00 and every 30 minutes until 16h00, 16h45, 17h15, 17h45.

Departures from Harder Kulm : 08h00*, 08h30*, 09h00 and every 30 minutes until 11h30, 11h45, 12h45, 13h15, 13h30 and every 30 minutes until 18h00.