Brienzer Rothorn, Alpine summit in Emmental Alps, Switzerland
Brienzer Rothorn is an Alpine summit in the Emmental Alps that rises to 2,349 meters and sits where three Swiss cantons meet. The mountain is served by a historic cogwheel railway from the valley and features a guesthouse at the top.
The cogwheel railway was built in the late 19th century and made the summit accessible to visitors. This development changed the mountain from a remote destination into a popular tourist spot.
The summit restaurant serves traditional Swiss alpine dishes, where visitors sit together and take in views of the surrounding peaks. The place draws people who value mountain culture and simple, hearty food.
The cogwheel train departs from Brienz while a cable car runs from Sörenberg, each with schedules that vary by season. It helps to check ahead which transport option will be running on your visit day.
The mountain is the highest point in Canton Lucerne and offers hikers a multi-day route that passes over ridges and past alpine lakes. This trekking option makes it more than just a day-trip destination.
Location: Bern
Location: Obwalden
Location: Lucerne
Elevation above the sea: 2,349 m
GPS coordinates: 46.78710,8.04687
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02
The Alps offer a wide range of natural landscapes. You find mountain lakes with clear waters, like the Eibsee in Bavaria or the Sorapis Lake in the Dolomites, gorges carved by torrents like the Partnach Gorge or the Cirque of Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, and stunning rocky peaks such as the Tre Cime di Lavaredo or Mont Aiguille in Vercors. The mountain range also shows remarkable geological formations, like the Désert de Platé with its eroded limestone rocks creating endless striped surfaces, or the steep cliffs that surround the valleys and give each region its character. These sites can be reached by hiking trails, allowing visitors to see the variety of alpine scenery and how water, ice, and weather have shaped these mountains.
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