Schynige Platte: Roundtrip Rack Railroad From Wilderswil at Day Trips from Interlaken

The Schynige Platte rack railway is a cogwheel train service running from Wilderswil, near Interlaken, up to the Schynige Platte mountain ridge at around 1,967 metres above sea level. The line has operated since 1893, making it one of Switzerland's longest-running mountain railways, and the 50-minute ascent follows a steep gradient through alpine meadows and forest before opening out to panoramic views of the Bernese Oberland. Among the things to do in Interlaken, this round trip stands apart for the unobstructed sightlines it delivers without any hiking required.

From the ridge, passengers look out over Lake Thun and Lake Brienz below, with the north faces of the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau directly ahead. The Schynige Platte Alpine Garden, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the Alps, sits at the top station and is accessible on foot once you arrive. Tickets cover a return journey on the rack railway departing from Wilderswil station, which connects directly to the main Interlaken rail network. The service is wheelchair accessible, and the booking includes both the upward and downward legs with no additional rail fare required at the top.