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5 Great Reasons to Visit Schynige Platte (+2024 Info & Tips for Best Views)

5 Great Reasons to Visit Schynige Platte (+2024 Info & Tips for Best Views)

There are so many beautiful places in the Swiss Alps that it’s often impossible to say which of them is nicer or worth a visit more than another. However, if you are wondering if Schynige Platte is worth visiting, I can say without any hesitation that Schynige Platte deserves a place on any list of must-see places in Switzerland. Yes, it’s that beautiful!

Last summer we spent ten days in the Jungfrau Region in central Switzerland and visited so many beautiful places. One by one worth a trip, even if you are coming from the other side of the world.

However, there was one place that stood above all the rest – Schynige Platte! We were blown away by the incredible scenery here! After so many trips and so many places visited, Switzerland – once again – surprised us beyond expectations.

Furthermore, Schynige Platte is one of the easiest accessible mountain destinations in the Jungfrau Region. It’s a place that has plenty to offer to everyone – from families with young kids to experienced hikers.

All this makes Schynige Platte popular with locals and people vacationing in the area for a longer time, but it’s not as widely known or visited by groups of international tourists as e.g. Zermatt, or the nearby Jungfraujoch or places like Interlaken, Wengen, and Grindelwald

In this article, you can find our guide for visiting Schynige Platte. What makes it so special and what there is to see and do here. We also included hiking suggestions, as well as our top tips for the best viewpoints and more. At the end of the post, you can find some practical information for your visit. Find out!

Complete guide to visiting Schynige Platte in Switzerland
 

Here are the best things to do at Schynige Platte:

1. Historic Railway

Schynige Platte proudly calls itself ‘Top of Swiss tradition’. First opened in the summer of 1893, the historic railway between Wilderswil near Interlaken and Schynige Platte has been in operation for over 125 years.

The old steam locomotives have been replaced by electric trains in 1914. The ‘newest’ trains operating on this line today are all over 100 years old. As you step into a wooden carriage, it truly feels like taking a trip back in time, the beautiful Belle Époque era. There aren’t many other places in Switzerland that still use trains from those days… It certainly has its charm!

Some trains have open carriages without windows, which look even more like something from an old movie. I’m not sure how they decide which trains to use, but we saw several different models in operation during the day when we visited.

The 52-minute, 7 kilometers journey on the historic railway is stunning! And because the train ascends quite slowly, you have plenty of time to admire the scenery. However, that’s just a taste of what’s to come…

Good to know: You can reserve your tickets for the railway here. Four times a year, you can also ride to Schynige Platte on a historic steam train, using the original locomotive that was built in 1894. You can find more information about these steam trips here.

Historic train - Schynige Platte railway
Historic train at Schynige Platte
Historic Belle Epoque train at Schynige Platte in Switzerland
Historic Belle Epoque train at Schynige Platte – this one has open windows
 

2. Jaw-dropping Scenery

Once you reach Schynige Platte at 1967 m altitude, the most spectacular landscapes await. The panoramic terrace of the hotel restaurant has great views and also allows you to easily access the nearest summit at 2076 m, from where you can see the lakes of Interlaken and the mountains of the Jungfrau Region.

Even if you don’t hike, you should at least take a short walk at the Botanical Alpine Garden that’s located right above the railway station (more information further below). From there, you have a fantastic view of the stunning landscapes in the direction of the most famous mountain peaks of the Jungfrau Region.

As you walk around, you’ll pass giant wooden picture frames overlooking the snow-capped mountain peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. The Swiss call it the ‘Nature Cinema’. And indeed, you can just sit there and watch the most beautiful scenery through these giant frames or take some fun pictures with your family or friends.

However, as nice as the scenery here is, the views are yet a hundred times better from the Panorama Trail. So if you are physically capable, don’t miss it. Read on!

Nature Cinema at Schynige Platte - giant wooden frames overlooking the mountains of Jungfrau Region
Nature Cinema at Schynige Platte
Schynige Platte
The views at Schynige Platte are amazing, no matter where you look
 

3. Panorama Trail

Panorama Trail at Schynige Platte is one of the most rewarding rather easy hikes in Switzerland! The 360° panorama with phenomenal views of the Interlaken area and the mountain peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau will take your breath away!

Part of the trail takes you along a mountain ridge with spectacular 360° views. On one side, you can see Interlaken with the colorful scenery of the azure-blue waters of Lake Brienz and Lake Thun. On the other side, you have the snow-capped mountain peaks of the Jungfrau region. Just under your feet, there are green Alpine pastures dotted with Swiss cows… It’s like walking inside a massive painting and you don’t know where to look first…

There are several hiking trails at Schynige Platte. However, the nicest views are from the Panorama Trail, and in particular the section between Daube viewpoint and Oberberghorn. If you are fit enough and can hike a bit, don’t miss it! It’s by far the best thing you can do at Schynige Platte!

LEARN MORE: Best Schynige Platte Hikes (+ Maps & Practical Info)

For many years, we considered the Oeschinen Lake hike to be the most beautiful hike in Switzerland. I have to say that Schynige Platte is at least as impressive! Furthermore, the Panorama Trail is easier, shorter, and incredibly rewarding, especially if you visit on a sunny day.

Panorama Trail at Schynige Platte
Hiking the Panorama Trail
Views from Oberberghorn - Panorama Hike in Schynige Platte
Views from Oberberghorn – Panorama Hike
 

4. Alpine Flowers & Edelweiss

If you ever wanted to see an edelweiss, you may just get lucky at Schynige Platte. Their Botanical Alpine Garden contains about 650 species of alpine flowers, including the famous and protected Edelweiss.

It took us some time to find Edelweiss among so many other flowers, but it was worth it. For us, this was the very first time that we saw real Edelweiss flowers growing in their natural surroundings. It’s beautiful! In addition, there were many other flowers that were really beautiful and made it worthwhile to take some time to visit this garden.

Swiss Flower and Panorama Trail is an easy walk of about 1km. It starts at the Schynige Platte railway station, past the carved wooden cow Lily. The trail passes alpine meadows with many different species of plants and colorful flowers, with their names indicated on the informational panels. There are so many paths crisscrossing the area here, so you can make this walk as long or as short as you desire.

June to August are the best months to see the flowers. They say that August is the best time for flowers because most species are blooming at that time. That’s also when we visited – at the beginning of August, and the gardens were really nice.

Edelweiss at the Botanical Alpine Garden in Schynige Platte
Edelweiss at the Botanical Alpine Garden in Schynige Platte
Swiss Flower Trail - Botanical Alpine Garden at Schynige Platte
Swiss Flower Trail at the Botanical Alpine Garden at Schynige Platte
 

5. Alphorn Players

The alphorn (also known as an alpine horn) is a typical music instrument from the Alps. It’s often played during all kinds of traditional celebrations or local events in Switzerland, but also in Austria, the Bavaria region in Germany, and several other places in the Alps.

It’s a long wooden natural horn that can be almost 4m long. It’s always fun to see and hear this instrument, but the chances of you encountering somebody playing an alphorn during your trip in Switzerland aren’t high.

Here at Schynige Platte, they employ Alphorn players and have daily performances during the summer season (June to mid October). If the weather is good, they play in front of the hotel from 11 AM to 2 PM. In case of bad weather, performances are held inside.

We were not aware of these hours and missed them because we started our visit at the Alpine Garden and then continued to the Panorama Trail. By the time we were back at the Schynige Platte hotel, it was already late afternoon and the alphorn players were already gone. It wasn’t a big deal for us, because we saw them that same evening during the Swiss National Day celebration in Wengen where we were staying.

But if you really want to hear alphorn players at Schynige Platte, it’s probably best to visit the Alpine Garden first, then go to the hotel for the alphorn performance, maybe have lunch at the restaurant, and then start the Panorama Trail from there.

Alphorn players at Schynige Platte in Switzerland
Alphorn players at Schynige Platte – Photo © Jungfraubahnen
 

Practical Information for Visiting Schynige Platte

When to Visit & Schynige Platte 2024 Opening Dates

Schynige Platte can only be visited in the summer season (in 2024, between June 15 and October 20). It’s closed in winter. The best time to visit is in summer when hiking trails are completely open. If you can choose, pick a nice sunny day for your visit so that you can enjoy all the incredible views to the fullest.

TIP: The second half of August – the beginning of September are the best times to go if you want to avoid the crowds of the busiest season (from mid June to mid August).

Our experience: We visited Schynige Platte on the 1st of August, the National Day of Switzerland. It was a beautiful sunny day and it was really busy. However, they added a few extra trains in the morning and we didn’t have any delays going up. Once on top, everyone spread out and it wasn’t crowded. Some parts of the Panorama Trail were a bit busy but not too crowded and still very enjoyable.

Restaurant terrace at Schynige Platte Mountain Hotel
Restaurant terrace at Schynige Platte Mountain Hotel
 

How to Get to Schynigge Platte

Schynige Platte is located in the Jungfrau Region in Bernese Oberland in central Switzerland. The closest bigger town is Interlaken. It can only be reached by a historic cogwheel train from Wilderswil.

If you are not staying in the region, you can either get to Wilderswil by car or by taking a train via Interlaken. If you come by car, you can leave it in a car parking area in Wilderswil. If you are coming by train, you’ll first have to get to Interlaken. From there, take a train either in the direction of Grindelwald or of Lauterbrunnen – they both stop in Wilderswil.

Trains to Schynige Platte depart Wilderswil every 40 minutes and take almost an hour to get to the top (and also to get back down). The first train from Wilderswil to Schynige Platte leaves around 7.25 AM and the last train to Wilderswil departs from Schynige Platte at around 5.30-6 PM, so keep this in mind if you are planning to do any longer hikes.

Unless you travel with a big group, you can just show up at Wilderswil train station and take a train to Schynige Platte without any advance booking. You can also book your tickets online in advance (available in summer only), so you can just board the next available train without any delays).

Also, keep in mind that it can be quite busy, especially around 9-11 AM, so be prepared to wait for the next train if need be. It was really busy when we visited and they just added a few extra trains. I’m not sure, however, if they always do that.

Wilderswil train station in Switzerland
Wilderswil train station from where trains to Schynige Platte depart
 

Schynige Platte Tickets

Just as everywhere in Switzerland, a simple day ticket to Schynige Platte is quite expensive. At the moment of the last update, the train ticket from Wilderswil to Schynige Platte and back costs 64 CHF. There are discounts for kids and children under 6 travel free of charge.

However, just like anywhere else in Switzerland, there are so many possibilities for tickets – hiking tickets, teatime tickets including a cup of tea and a piece of cake, but only for afternoon departures, etc. You can also get discounts with the Swiss Pass (50%). More information about tickets here.

Good to know: All the activities on top of Schynige Platte are included in the train ticket price. So there is no extra charge for a visit to a Botanical Garden or similar.

TIP: We bought the Jungfrau Travel Card because we stayed in the area longer. Schynige Platte ticket and all the other train rides in the wide area of Interlaken, Grindelwald, Wengen, Kleine Scheidegg, Mürren, and Lauterbrunnen were included with this card (all except Jungfraujoch, for which you get a big discount if you have this card). It saved us so much money! But it only makes sense to get this regional card if you are here for at least 3-4 days and are planning to do lots of sightseeing every day.

READ ALSO: Swiss Travel Pass (& Is It Worth It?)

Swiss cow bells at Schynige Platte
Swiss cowbells at Schynige Platte
 

Restaurant, Hotel, Playground

Schynige Platte is a destination in itself. Many people just come here for the train ride, the views, and lunch or a drink on a sunny outdoor terrace with fantastic views.

Some others come here for a few days and stay in the historic Schynige Platte Mountain Hotel located on the mountain.

If you stay here, you can hike in the area as late as you want and have the most amazing scenery all to yourselves, when all the day tourists have left. We love Swiss mountain hotels! Staying on the mountain when day-trippers leave is always a magical experience.

At the hotel, you’ll find a restaurant with a big outdoor terrace. It’s a great place to have lunch or stop for a relaxing drink after a hike. There are also several shops and, of course, bathroom facilities as well.

Near the hotel, there is a nice playground for kids. While our kids played there, we enjoyed a drink with the most beautiful views around us. Vacation at its best!

Lilyland playground at Schynige Platte
Lilyland playground at Schynige Platte
 

Schynige Platte was an unexpected discovery for us. After visiting so many other famous landmarks of the Jungfrau Region, we never thought we’d find yet another place that would make its way into our list of the absolute-best destinations in Switzerland.

I’m so glad that we went there and I really recommend that you visit Schynige Platte if you have a day extra in the Jungfrau Region!

If you like magnificent landscapes and a typically Swiss experience without huge crowds, then Schynige Platte might just be what you’re looking for! It’s located just near Interlaken, therefore easy to reach from most big cities in Switzerland, and makes a great day trip for the whole family.

TIP: Don’t miss Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe, when visiting this area. Here you can read what to expect when visiting Jungfraujoch – one of the best day trips in Switzerland in any season.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: What to See & Do in Zermatt

More tips for your trip to central Switzerland:

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

How to visit Schynige Platte in Switzerland
Best things to do at Schynige Platte
Why and how to visit Schynige Platte in Switzerland
 

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lisa

Thursday 14th of March 2024

Hi We will be staying in brienz for 4 nights, then Lucern for 3 nights. We then go to slovenia to visit family anfd go back to Wengen for another 4 nights. I love all you hiking ideas Im just not sure which ones to do from Brienz and which to save for Wengen. We are visiting in June

Thanks Lisa

lisa

Sunday 17th of March 2024

Thank you so much for your reply. I am finding all your posts very clear and informative. Im taking lots of notes and hoping to do lots of hiking while also allowing time to just be in the moment. Thanks Lisa

Jurga

Friday 15th of March 2024

Hi Lisa, first, what to see and do on which day might also depend on the weather. But otherwise, it would make sense to group destinations so that you can take advantage of regional cards (which can save you a lot of money). From Brienz, you could explore both lakes around Interlaken, visit Aareschlucht and Meiringen (if you like Sherlock Holmes), take a ride on Gelmerbahn funicular railway, etc. Around Interlaken, you also have lots of nice hikes and activities like paragliding or kayaking, etc. Schynige Platte is also doable, but it falls under the same region as the rest of the places around Wengen, so depending on what else you plan to see there, it can be done either way. And once you are in Wengen, concentrate on that area and visit Grindelwald, Jungfraujoch, Kleine Scheidegg, Lauterbrunnen Valley, and maybe also Mürren if you have time. 4 nights might look like a lot but there is so much to do in that area that you will still have to be selective. Hope this helps a bit. Have a great trip!

Angela

Tuesday 12th of September 2023

First off thank you for all of your wonderful suggestions, itineraries, and photos. I will be staying in Interlaken for 2 nights the End of September. I will have pretty much will have 3 full days as I will arrive mid morning the first day.

I want to plan the best way to see everything hahaha. Definitely want to Schynige Platte, Lauterbrunen, Harder klum and do a boat on one of the lakes. Is this possible you think? Also Thinking Grindelwald Junfraujuch. My wife and I are active so we want to include some beautiful hikes. Any suggestions or help planning on time frames would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You, Angela

Angela

Thursday 14th of September 2023

@Jurga, Thank you very much for your reply!! What are your thoughts on these ideas for my itinerary? I land in Geneva at 7:30 am on September 29th so I’m thinking I will arrive to Interlaken around 11:00am-12pm. Getting settled then going to Harder Klum and then boat trip (or vice Versa) any suggestions here?

This where I am having a problem on Day 2!! Do I start early and head to Schyinge Platte and enjoy the day there with some hiking (how long do I need there?) or do I go to Schithorn early (I did read the thrill bridge is closed at this time?) Not sure how long I would need there either. I do want to see Lauterbrunnen as I have read it is very magnificent. Am I being overzealous with all of this?

Day 3 I head to Lucerne so I can spend the morning and early afternoon if needed before heading to Lucerne.

Thank you and sorry if I’m all over place, so overwhelmed and want to make sure I plan accordingly!

Thank You, Angela

Jurga

Wednesday 13th of September 2023

Hi Angela, you could plan your time like this: Arrival day: Interlaken, Harder Kulm, boat trip, maybe visit one or two towns next to one of the lakes. See our guide to Interlaken. Day 2: Lauterbrunnen + Jungfraujoch + Grindelwald town (not Grindelwald-First as that will be too much for a day). See our guide to Jungfraujoch. Day 3: Schynige Platte. ONLY if you are feeling exceptionally fit and the weather is exceptionally good, you could hike to Grindelwald-First from there (but in that case, you need to start very early and take the first train to Schynige Platte). You can find more information in our guide to Schynige Platte hikes. Good luck!

Siddhant Jain

Wednesday 5th of July 2023

Hi Jurga,

Thanks a lot for your detailed posts. They are extremely helpful and a wealth of information. Me my wife and our 3.5 year old son are planning to visit Switzerland mid Sept. We plan to do the Shynige Platte Oberberghorn panoramal trail basis what I have read here. Are there are any narrow paths or very steep climbs that you believe may not be manageable for a 3.5 year old?

Thanks & Regards, Siddhant Jain

Jurga

Wednesday 5th of July 2023

Hi Siddhant, it's really hard for me to say. Everything depends on your kid and what he is used to. Some parts of this hike can be indeed a bit too steep for such a young boy. Also, you should definitely hold on to your kid at all times when walking close to the ridge. The best advice I can give you is simply decide on the spot what you think you can do. The area is so beautiful that it is worth a visit either way, even if you can't do the entire hike. Have a great trip!

aatika

Saturday 11th of March 2023

Thanks for the wonderful posts about Switzerland. How long is the panorama hike? is it suitable for kids about 6 years old? One of the picture looks very anxiety provoking for me for a young kid, so just want to know your opinion. Thank you again for helpful posts.

Aatika

Sunday 12th of March 2023

@Jurga, thank you for your response and time! We do lot if hiking here in Colorado so kids are used to it. I'll read more on this hike. And I think we'll be fine. Thank you again!

Jurga

Sunday 12th of March 2023

Hi Aatika, please take a look at our guide to the best hikes at Schynige Platte for more information about the hikes you can do here. As you'll see on the map in that guide, there are several possibilities and you can decide once you are there how far you hike. For example, you can just hike to Daube viewpoint and loop back, or you can continue a bit further - Oberberghorn Panorama Trail. With a 6-year-old, that's probably as far as I'd go. That hike is just about 1h15 - 2 hrs, depending on how often you stop for pictures. The hardest (steepest) part is at the beginning before you reach Daube viewpoint. After that, the views get better and better and the hike is relatively easy since you are following the mountain ridge. It might look intimidating in the pictures, but we never really felt unsafe here with kids. You can always hold their hand if you feel that the path is too narrow to your liking or are worried that the kids won't stay on the trail. Our kids were a bit older than yours at that time and did just fine. Also, we met lots of families with younger children on this hike. If your kids are used to some hiking, it's really not a difficult hike. If you never hiked with them before, then you'll just have to see how it goes. You can always decide to turn back earlier. It's only you who can decide what's suitable for your family. No two kids are the same. Hope this helps.

Arpita

Thursday 24th of November 2022

Hi, I am glad to discover your blog. Your articles are very informative and delightful to read. Is it possible and worthwhile to visit schynige platte around 20-24 December or do it remains closed? Also, we are in Interlaken for four days. Would Half fare card better to visit Mt. Titilis and lakes etc. ?

Jurga

Thursday 1st of December 2022

Hi Arpita, Schynige Platte is closed in winter, so you can't visit in December. It will be open from July 1 to October 22 in 2023. For the half-fare card, I assume you refer to the Swiss Pass. It really depends on what exactly you do, but in general, unless you take lots of trains every single day, it's not worth it. For Mt Titlis, see our guide here. Another place you can visit in winter is Jungfraujoch. Have a nice trip!

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