How to Hike Gelmersee and Ride the Gelmerbahn
The Gelmersee hike is one of the best hiking trails in Switzerland, so you can’t miss it on your Swiss Itinerary. With a gradient of 106%, the Gelmerbahn is Europe’s steepest open passenger funicular railway and offers an unforgettable experience. Gelmersee is a stunning turquoise alpine lake offering fantastic photo opportunities and many hiking trails.
This ultimate guide to the Gelmersee includes the best time to visit, how to ride on the Gelmer Funicular, what to expect on the trek, and practical information.
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Lake Gelmer Hike Details
Hike Distance: 4.5 km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Hike Difficulty: Moderate
Ascent: ↑ 170 m
Descent: ↓ 170 m
Where is Gelmersee?
Gelmersee is located in the Bernese Oberland Region of Switzerland, near Handegg. Gelmersee is a hydroelectric reservoir and one of the best hiking trails in the Swiss Alps. The beautiful alpine lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and wildflowers.
When to Hike to Gelmersee
Switzerland is a popular destination all year round! But the best time to visit Gelmersee is from June to October. The weather is more pleasant for hiking during these months, with warmer temperatures and less snow cover. We did this hike at the end of June, and there was still snow around the lake.
In the mountains, the weather can be unpredictable. So pack warm clothes, suitable hiking shoes, and a raincoat.
In winter, you can’t do the Gelmersee Lake hike. Because the funicular does not operate, and the hiking trail leading up is probably completely covered in snow.
TIP
Before you visit Gelmersee, check the weather forecast and the mountain webcam.
See also → Beautiful Places to Visit in Switzerland
How to Get to Gelmersee?
Gelmerbahn is easily accessible by car or public transport. It takes about 45 minutes from Interlaken and 2 hours from Zurich to the Gelmerbahn car park. We arrived from Meiringen, which is only 25 minutes away.
After turning off the main road, there is a small free parking lot. The funicular station is a 5-minute walk from the car park, which takes you to the Gelmersee. Arrive early because parking places run out quickly on weekends.
Alternatively, you can take the train from Interlaken Ost or Lucerne to Meiringen and take the No. 161 bus to the Handegg Gelmerbahn bus stop. The Gelmerbahn can also be reached from Innertkirchen in 20 minutes by PostBus.
Budget Tip
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Gelmersee Hiking Trail Summit
Gelmersee is located at 1850 m above sea level. There are two ways to reach Lake Gelmer. You can hike up the mountain trail for free, which takes about 1.5 hours from the Handegg, Kunzentännlein car park, or take the famous Gelmerbahn.
If you choose the more challenging hike, you can save money. But we don’t recommend skipping the epic ride on the Gelmerbahn.
As the Handeckfall Suspension Bridge (Handeggfallbrücke) is located right next to the funicular station, take your time to explore the bridge and then enjoy the fantastic panoramic views from the Gelmerbahn.
See also → Best Hotels in the Switzerland Mountains
Gelmerbahn Ticket Price & Opening Hours
The Gelmerbahn was originally built to transport heavy building materials for the Gelmer dam. Nowadays, it is an epic rollercoaster ride. The funicular railway takes just 12 minutes to reach the summit and can carry 24 people per journey.
The Gelmerbahn funicular railway operates from 1 June to 20 October 2024. Gelmerbahn runs every 24 minutes.
- The opening hours are from 9 AM to 4 PM in June, September, and October (last ascent 15:48, last descent 16:00).
- It operates from 9 AM to 5 PM in July and August (last ascent 16:36, last descent 16:48).
Buy your ticket online a few days in advance because tickets sell out quickly! When you book your ticket for the Gelmerbahn, you must select dates with specific times. We took the funicular up the mountain at 09:00 and the ride down at 13:12. After arrival, we had 4 hours to hike around the lake, which gave us enough time.
The Gelmerbahn ticket costs 36 CHF (41 USD) return and 18 CHF (20.5 USD) one-way for adults. For children (6-15 years old), the return ticket costs 18 CHF (20.5 USD), and a single trip costs 9 CHF (10 USD). Children under 6 years are free of charge.
Dogs are allowed on the Gelmerbahn. Small dogs can travel for free, but larger dogs need a child ticket.
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For another unique experience, take the world’s steepest funicular railway from Schwyz to Stoos.
Recommended post → Stoos Ridge Hike
Gelmersee Hike
Most people just come to ride the Gelmerbahn and quickly see the mountain lake, but hiking around Lake Gelmer (Gelmersee) is one of the most beautiful hikes in Switzerland. If you want to hike around the lake, we recommend at least 3-4 hours.
Starting point: Gelmerbahn funicular top station.
You can start the hike in either direction. However, we recommend that you follow the Gelmersee Circular Trail clockwise. There are toilets near the Gelmerbahn upper station, so use them before you start your trek.
The hike around the Gelmersee is a narrow, rocky alpine path, and the trail is approximately 4.5 km long. The most challenging part of the hike is the uneven rocky terrain with steep slopes. For this reason, it is not recommended for small children or those afraid of heights.
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! Travel insurance is the best way to avoid extra expenses due to unexpected accidents, cancellations, delays, loss of personal items, and emergencies.
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There are huge rock slabs along the lake, which provide a beautiful photo opportunity and an ideal place for a break. When we hiked, we saw many families with children. The trail is not suitable for strollers.
If you are planning a short walk and picnic, 2-3 hours is probably enough. Add a few extra hours to hike to the Gelmerhütte. There are no dining facilities around Gelmersee, so bring snacks and enough water.
For the best experience, we recommend that you sit in the front row of the funicular when you are coming down. We were able to get the first seats by queuing well in advance of departure.
What to Pack for Hiking
- Small backpack
- Light raincoat
- Hiking shoes or boots & socks
- Hat and sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Camera gear
- Extra water
- Snacks
- Personal medication
- Local money
- Trekking poles
Tips for the Gelmersee Hike
- Based on our own experience, we recommend arriving early. Visit the bridge, then catch the first funicular and enjoy a panoramic ride to the top. Once you arrive, choose a hiking trail or spend some hours exploring the area.
- As you cannot buy tickets at the top station of the Gelmerbahn, you should buy your return ticket in advance.
- Wear closed hiking shoes and lightweight, quick-dry clothes.
- Don’t take unnecessary things with you.
- You can combine your visit with the Aare Gorge or Reichenbach Falls.
- As unexpected rain can happen at any time, bring a light raincoat.
- Don’t forget to bring sunscreen.
Where to Stay near Gelmersee
For the best experience, stay in the Gelmerhütte mountain hut. Alternatively, stay in Meiringen or Interlaken. These are our recommendations.
Best hotels in Meiringen
- Mid-Range: Hotel Dakota or Hotel Panorama
- Budget: Hotel Meiringen
Best hotels in Interlaken
- Luxury: Swiss Hotel Apartments
- Mid-Range: The Hey Hotel or Boutique Hotel Bellevue
- Budget: Interlaken Youth Hostel
We hope you found our guide to the Gelmersee hike useful and will inspire you to visit. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM: – Airalo
Travel Insurance – Heymondo
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway
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Sziasztok!
Az lenne a kérdésem, hogy arra van lehetőség, hogy Gelmerbahn-nal menjünk fel és túrázva jöjjünk le? Ha igen, az km-ben mennyi lehet és mennyi időt vesz igénybe?
Válaszotokat előre is köszönöm!
Szia Dóra!
Persze, van lehetőség csak felfelé/lefelé jegyet is vásárolni. Sajnos nem tudjuk, maximum 1 óra alatt juttok el a parkolóig. Érezzétek jól magatokat!