The long wait was worth it: next Saturday, 1 July, the Schynige Platte Railway will start its new season. The historic cogwheel railway takes guests on a richly varied journey through beech and fir forests to the Schynige Platte in just under an hour. Once you reach the top, there are various options for shorter and longer circular hikes. The alpine garden also entices you to linger: Around 800 species that occur in Switzerland above the tree line can be discovered on a tour around 1 kilometre in length. A visit to the Alpine Garden is included in the train ticket.
A new bistro awaits guests right by the summit station. This is why part of the waiting room has been converted into a self-service buffet. The newly designed station square offers 30 seats with a view of the mountains. As usual, the Schynige Platte restaurant is also open throughout the season. It captivates with its views over the Oberland Alps and the triumvirate of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The kitchen serves hearty, regional dishes. Children travel free and receive a house dessert upstairs on their birthday. The Schynige Platte Railway now offers a Zmorgen and Zvieri ticket (see link at bottom). Both combi offers are available from 39 Swiss francs.
The Schynige Platte is particularly idyllic after the close of business. This is when the hosts of the Berghaus indulge their hotel guests. Balmy summer evenings can be enjoyed on the terrace before sleeping under the stars in the nostalgic mountain hotel. The “Dine & Sleep” offer can be booked at a special price of 144 Swiss francs including train journey.
Treasure chests and milk churns
Little guests also have a lot to look forward to: when they are still on the train ride up, children are already solving the first riddle in the Lily the cow booklet. This is available at Wilderswil railway station. Once at the top, children can follow the nine marked posts on the path that is around one kilometre in length with the accompanying treasure map. The last post and the treasure chest are then waiting at the Schynige Platte restaurant. A special “milk jug memory” also awaits the children.
As in previous years, the alphorn players are part of the “Top of Swiss Tradition” at Schynige Platte. They will be performing at the Berghotel Schynige Platte between 11.00 and 14.00 h every day from the start of the season until 22 October 2023.
Construction work before and after the season
The season is starting later than usual because the track up the Schynige Platte is being renewed over several years. The first two stages of the superstructure renewal took place this spring. The renovation and maintenance work will continue after the end of the season. A total of 11 stages are planned. The renovation of the Wilderswil workshop is also underway. A new annex is being built to the side of the car park, the workshop is being refurbished for energy efficiency and modern working conditions are being created. The flat above is to be demolished and replaced by a new cubic structure for service rooms. The flat roof will be partially greened and equipped with solar panels for the building’s own use.
All offers relating to the Schynige Platte Railway can be found at www.jungfrau.ch/schynige-platte
