Stockhornbahn
(Bernese Oberland)
ABOVE: A boat on Lake Thun sails toward the Stockhorn.
The
Bernese Oberland's funiculars, cable cars, and mountain railways are often packed with
tourists during the high season. When you've had your fill of the crowds on the Jungfraujoch Railway or the Schilthorn, take time
to visit some of the region's less known (and less expensive) alternatives--such as the
Stockhornbahn, a two-stage aerial cable car that takes 14 minutes to reach an elevation of
2,190 meters (7183 feet) above the Simmental and Lake Thun.
From the Stockhorn's summit, you'll enjoy panoramic
views of the lake, the high Alps, the Bernese lowlands, and even the Jura (weather
permitting). But that's just the most obvious of the Stockhorn's attractions, which also
include:
Nature paths
The Stockhorn is famed for its wildflowers and other
botanical offerings. From the intermediate Chrindi station of the Stockhornbahn, you can
follow the Stockhorn Nature Path (3 hrs. 30 min.) or hike downhill through meadows and
forests to the village of Därstetten (4 hr. 45 min.) Another option is the alpine
botanical trail or "flower path" to the summit, where you can return to the
Stockhornbahn's valley station at Erlenbach im Simmental by cable car.
Fishing
The Stockhorn has two pretty mountain lakes on its
slopes: the Hinterstockensee and the Oberstockense. You can catch up to six trout per day
by purchasing an angler's Tageskarte (day card) in the Stockhornbahn's valley
station.
Bungee jumping and hang gliding
Alpin Raft
in Interlaken offers 100m bungee jumps above the Hinterstockensee on during the
summer season.
For hang gliding, telephone Franz Meyer in Erlenbach i. S. at 033 684 14 94 or 033 681
19 76.
In the Diemtigtal (on the other side of the Stockhorn from Erlenbach), Orion Flugsport
AG offers hang gliding and paragliding instruction. Write or call:
Orion Flugsport AG
CH-3753 Oey
Tel. 033 681 19 76
Hang-glider passenger flights are available from:
Chr. Balmer
Lenggasse
CH-3753 Oey
Tel. 033 681 21 08
Skiing
During the winter ski season, the Stockhornbahn offers
lift tickets by the day, half-day, and week.
Schedules, travel information, Web links
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