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One of our top 10 day hikes in the world

Harder Ridge

Also known as Hardergrat (… grat is ridge in German)

Best day hike in the world?

Yes, this is our pick for the very best day hike on Earth
Brienz to Interlaken
- Brienz Rothorn Railway up to the start
- take the funicular from Harderkulm (Harder Kulm) down to Harderkulm Station in Interlaken
logistics are much more difficult in the opposite direction. We highly recommend hikers start in Brienz
24km total … about 18km on a sharp ridge
10+ hours. Physically and psychologically challenging.
no water available. Carry all you need.
not an official trail, but it’s easy to follow in good visibility
about 1500m above the lake
permits not required
it’s popular with trail runners who do about 35km entirely on foot. They start at either end.

Hiking the Hardergrat in Switzerland’s 30° Magazine, by PatitucciPhoto/ALPSinsight

in good weather, views of the Jungfrau’s big peaks; Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau, Schreckhorn, Finsteraarhorn
the advantage of being able to get transport both up and down
on the same trip, hike nearby Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Schynige Platte and more
many see Ibex up here
the thrill of ridge walking. Fantastic vistas on each side.

Watch a graphic representation of the ridge walk on YouTube. It’s in the opposite direction of what we recommend.

Switzerland is an expensive nation. Everything is costly.

We don’t know of any hiking guides for this adventure. Leave a comment if you have one.

every half hour a train runs Interlaken – Brienz for 8.20 Swiss Francs ($9 dollars)
be on the first train out of Brienz. It can be as early as 5:30am. Or as late as 8:30am.
a slow, scenic, historic steam engine, it takes about an hour to reach Brienzer Rothorn station — the start of the Harder Ridge hike
cost of the one-way train in 2019 was 56 Swiss Francs ($58 dollars), but we paid half price for taking the first train. Check if that promotion is available when you get there.

hike (or run) the trail as quickly as you can. If you don’t reach the funicular down to Interlaken in time (last one is about 9pm) you’ll be stuck up high. Or have to walk down 1300m in the dark.
the funicular descends from the Bergrestaurant Harder Kulm
it takes 8 minutes and is relatively inexpensive (for Switzerland)