We could see Harder Kulm from our Interlaken campsite, perched high up on the mountainside of Interlaken’s local mountain. For most of our break, the attraction was shut as we visited out of season. However, on our final day, it opened and so we decided to buy tickets on the day for their evening ride. This allowed us to make use of their special Harder Kulm by night offer. This meant that we could eat in the Harder Kulm Restaurant with our tickets. Catching the Harder Kulm Funicular up to the viewing platform which is 1,321 meters above sea level in the late afternoon. Still giving us enough time to take in the breathtaking views
Where is Harder Kulm – Top of Interlaken
Harder Klum is located on the mountainside of Interlaken’s local mountain overlooking the town in the Bernese Oberland area of Switzerland. Due to its unique location, it gives views across both Lake Brienz to its left and Lake Thun to its right. Many tourists will reach the viewpoint by the Harder Kulm Funicular railway. Although it is possible to take one of the hiking trails up, one of the families we met while staying at the Manor Farm Campsite took mountain hikes up. Out of season, it is likely to be covered in snow. Only enjoying gentle hikes we opted to get the mountain railway up.
READ MORE – Manor Farm Campsite
Parking for Top of Harder Kulm
The station for the Harder Kulm Funicular railway is based in Interlaken very close to the mainline train station of Interlaken Ost station. Interlaken-ost railway station has a large carpark which was no more than a quarter full during our trip in April. Although I can anticipate the popular attraction gets very busy in the Summer. The price to park is quite reasonable. It only cost 7 CHF to park at Interlaken ost train station all day. To get from the car park to the entrance to the Harder Kulm Funicular railway you need to walk past the station. Once you reach the English Garden walk across the bridge and you will see the Harder Kulm Funicular railway station in front of you. It is about a five-minute walk from the car park.
Where can you buy Harder Kulm tickets?
There are several places you can buy Harder Kulm tickets. At the Funicular station itself. Either from the ticket office at the top of the stairs. Or from the self-service machine outside. However, we brought our Harder Kulm tickets to the Train Information Office located at Interlaken Ost railway station. We had asked on a previous trip if we could buy them in advance but were told they had to be brought on the day. Looking online it does appear that you can book tickets in advance via the website. I would recommend that you do this if you are visiting in the summer months.
The benefit of buying Harder Kulm tickets at the main train station meant that we avoided the queue at the Funicular station. As we could enter via the green pathway for those who already have tickets. There was hardly any queue at the main station and there are multiple servers so it is likely to move quicker.
What is there to see at Harder Kulm
Harder Kulm Funicular
The train ride only takes around eight minutes but the incline is at 64% making it one of the steepest funicular ride in the region. The amazing views of Interlaken spread out below you. It also goes around a bend and through a tunnel. The tunnel is all lit up which added to the boy’s excitement. It is a much more modern train carriage. On the way up we stood with the driver at the front. On the way back down we managed to get some seats in the first compartment which has big observation windows.
The Viewing Platform – Two Lakes Bridge
The main draw for many is the viewing platform which gives an absolutely magnificent view of the Swiss Alps and both lakes. With Interlaken sandwiched in-between. When we arrived the scenic place was pretty busy despite being the first day of opening. However, we did manage to get some photos both on the viewing platform and off of it. With the panoramic view of the mountain peak in the background. We found a great place to get the best photo. If you can catch it when it is quiet, then stand by the snack bar looking back towards the platform. This way your family can look suspended with the swiss mountains behind them.
Keep an eye out for the various wooden statues which line the short walk from the mountain station to the viewing platform.
Harder Kulm Interlaken Restaurant & Snack Bar
Also at the top, there is a snack bar selling food and drink. Some of the dishes are the same as those offered in the Harder Kulm panorama restaurant menu but slightly cheaper. As you sit on benches! For example, Thai curry is 22CHF in the snack bar and 28 CHF in the restaurant.
The Harder Kulm Restaurant has both dinings inside and outside on the restaurant’s sun terrace. We opted for a table next to view. Although the wall is quite high so you don’t see much. I had previously emailed the restaurant to see if we needed to book a table. But they said this was not possible. I do not know if this changes during high season or if you just have to take pot luck as to what is available at the time.
The menu in the Harder Kulm Restaurant is quite extensive compared to what we have found elsewhere. There are also lots of drink options to choose from. The kid’s menu is very well priced again compared to others, with a kid’s meal costing at most 13.50 CHF. When you think the same chicken nugget and chips cost 28 CHF in the restaurant at The Top of Europe. Ice cream tubs were available for 5.80 CHF or you could get a mini sundae with harbio of 6 CHF.
Harder Klum by night offer & menu options
We opted to buy the Harder Kulm by night tickets as it worked out that we essentially ate dinner for 6 CHF each at the Harder Kulm Restaurant. As Switzerland is not cheap for eating out this seemed like a bargain. And actually doing it at this time of day worked really well for us, for a number of reasons listed below.
If you purchase the nighttime offer then you can not catch the funicular before 5.40 pm. We caught the next funicular at 6.10 pm. This gave us enough time to explore before sitting to eat outside before the light disappeared completely around 8 pm.
As part of the deal, the food options are limited. Each adult ticket will get a free drink of either 25cl beer or Mario which is a herbal liqueur. You can opt for an alternative soft drink. Then you can choose a main course off a set menu. When we visited was cheese fondue with bread and potatoes, a chicken breast with herb butter and chips or a pepper and cabbage dish with pasta. The fondue had to be ordered for a minimum of two, but we did ask for extra bread and it was given and not charged for.
As we did not need to buy a ticket for Harry we had to buy a kid’s meal for him. If you want any drinks in addition then these must also be paid for. The wine starts from 4.10 CHF for a 10cl glass and soft drinks at 4.20 CHF for 33cl.
How much does it cost to go up Harder Kulm?
Our tickets with dinner cost 39.95 CHF each. Harry was free as he is under 6. Charlie cost the same as an adult as we did not have a discount card or swiss travel pass
If we had travelled up without dinner then tickets would have cost 33.95 CHF each. Harder Kulm is included if you buy a summer season Top of Europe pass. These start at 249 CHF for an adult three-day pass, and 30 CHF for a child. The passes allow you access to all of the cable cars and railways up to the Top of Europe and Grindelwald First and every station in-between. It is also possible to buy a one-way ticket which allows you to hike back down the mountain trail afterwards.
When is the best time of the day to visit Harder Kulm – Interlaken
In my opinion when we did it! Not only did we benefit from the reduced price of food. But we also got to take some pictures of the spectacular view in the daylight and when the sunset. Albeit it was quite a cloudy evening it would be amazing on a clear day. The viewing platform became less and less busy as it got later which meant we could take photos easier. We saw the giant star on the front of the restaurant lit up. And by the time we descended in the evening we saw Interlaken’s lights sparkling in the twilight.
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Jungfrauloch Top of Europe – how to plan your visit
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Have you visited the Top of Harder Kulm?
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2 Responses
Hi! I loved reading your blog and Harder Klum and I am so interested in the night ride and menu options! Was this one ticket that included the dinner or was it purchased separately? And where did you get your tickets? Thank you so much – looked like an awesome trip!
Hi Marisa
It was one ticket that we purchased together at the main train station in Interlaken. There is an information centre which is quite large at the front of the station and we brought tickets here. Although we could not buy them in advance they have to be brought on the day. I hope this helps. Apologies for the delay your comment went into my spam folder. Have a wonderful time