Niesen, Mountain summit in Bernese Alps, Switzerland
Niesen is a mountain in the Bernese Alps that rises to 2,362 meters with a distinctive pyramidal shape standing above Lake Thun. Its steep sides and sharp peak make it recognizable from many viewpoints across the region.
The mountain takes its name from vegetation known since ancient times in the region. Human settlement and mining activities shaped the landscape from the Middle Ages onward.
The name comes from an old word for yellow gentian, a flower that still blooms on the slopes today. Visitors walking the mountain can spot these delicate flowers during spring and understand how the landscape shaped the local language.
The funicular railway from Mülenen station takes about 40 minutes to reach the top. Visitors should expect changing weather conditions at the summit and bring appropriate gear.
Beside the railway track runs a historic stairway with over eleven thousand steps as an alternative route to the summit. This old path recalls the era when visitors had to climb on foot.
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