Switzerland is famous around the world for its spectacular scenery and mountain landscapes. If you’re after a truly challenging hike in Interlaken, hike to the summit of Augstmatthorn. This mountain peak is 2137 meters above sea level, with unbelievable views over Lake Brienz. This was one of the best days of my entire trip to Switzerland! Here’s everything you need to know about the hike to Augstmatthorn from Harder Kulm.

Augstmatthorn Hike Overview

Distance: 12.9 miles (20.8 km)

Time: 6.5 to 8 hours

Elevation Gain: 1185 meters

What to Pack for the Augstmatthorn Hike

This is a real mountain and a challenging day hike. You’ll want sturdy hiking boots, and I highly recommend hiking poles – the descent down the ridge is rough enough, without my poles I’m not sure if my knees would have made it! Be sure to bring warm and waterproof layers, and all the water and snacks you’ll need. After leaving the tree line, there’s essentially no shade whatsoever. Be sure to bring a hat and plenty of sunscreen for this hike.

Starting the Augstmatthorn Hike

This hike starts from Harder Kulm, which is accessible by the funicular up the mountain. A return ticket costs 44 CHF, but if you have the Swiss Travel Pass you get a 50% discount – I paid 22 CHF for my return ticket! Harder Kulm is 1322 meters above sea level, with a restaurant and epic viewpoint here. I’ll never forget my first sight of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau!

If you were seriously crazy, you could hike the ~1000 meters from Interlaken up to Harder Kulm, and then complete the Augstmatthorn hike. But honestly, that would be extremely difficult, and take a very long time. So, I recommend taking the funicular to Harder Kulm, and hiking the mountain from here. There are other routes to Augstmatthorn – most start in Lombachalp – but this one is great for the views and accessibility from Interlaken!

Hiking From Harder Kulm Through the Forest

The first part of the hike is through the forest. The path is shaded, and there are great views of the lake at certain points. The path is very narrow in places, and there’s a steady incline as you go. I just loved when the trees would clear and you’d get a great view of the chalets dotted around the Swiss countryside, or the bright blue waters of Lake Brienz! It took me about 1.5 hours of hiking from Harder Kulm to reach the tree line and come out into the open. The view looking towards Augstmatthorn from here is dramatic – I instantly thought, “what have I gotten myself into!” You can see the steep trail up, and you know what’s coming

The Steep Ascent Up Augstmatthorn

There is a very tough and steep climb up the ridge, from Solwengen to Suggiturm. Sadly, Suggiturm is a false summit – the real summit of Augstmatthorn is further beyond this! It took me about 50 minutes from the tree line to reach the beginning of the ridge, and 30 solid minutes of brutal uphill hiking to reach Suggiturm. This section is completely exposed. I wouldn’t recommend doing this hike in bad weather, strong winds, or poor visibility – it’d be very dangerous.

I ate my lunch on Suggiturm, to give my body a chance to recover after the difficult hike up the ridge. Once I left, it took me just 20 minutes along the next ridge to reach the summit of Augstmatthorn. This section was much easier, as the incline was undulating and nowhere near as steep as the hike up Suggiturm.

Summiting Augstmatthorn

The reason Augstmatthorn is one of the best full day hikes from Interlaken? The absolutely phenomenal views from the summit! I couldn’t believe my eyes – the bright blue water of Lake Brienz, the dramatic ridges and peaks of the mountains, the picturesque chalets and farms around the valley. It was like something out of a dream! I cried, it was just so beautiful, and I was so proud that I had made it there.

Give yourself plenty of time to soak up the views from the summit and take some pictures. There is a summit pole which marks the peak at 2137 meters. There’s also a logbook here, which you can sign with your name and/or a note to record your accomplishment! It took me 3.5 hours in total (including breaks) to reach Augstmatthorn after leaving Harder Kulm.

Returning to Harder Kulm

The return trail is back the same way you came. Navigate – slowly and carefully – down the steep ridgeline from Suggiturm to Solwengen, then back through the forest. There are other options to descend down towards the lake, but this is extremely steep and difficult. For the most part, the path is all downhill – the hard work is over! It felt great to get back in the forest and hike on the shaded trail after so much work hiking in the blazing sun. It took me 2 hours and 40 minutes from leaving Augstmatthorn to reach Harder Kulm. Altogether, it took me 6 hours and 35 minutes exactly to do this hike.

Planning Your Trip to Interlaken

If you’re traveling to Switzerland, I highly recommend a Swiss Travel Pass. This includes public transport all over the country, from trains and buses to boats. Although Bern airport is the closest airport to Interlaken, Zurich airport is the most convenient major airport; you’ll find more flight connections here. I use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

There are so many incredible things to do in Interlaken. If you’re looking for a tour, check out the options below!

Where to Stay in Interlaken

I did this hike as a daytrip from where I was housesitting near Bern. But there are a number of places in Interlaken that will suit every budget!

• Budget: Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof – the top hostel in Interlaken, with free breakfast and a great location between Interlaken West and Ost train stations
• Budget: Adventure Hostel Interlaken – a hostel-hotel mix with privates and dorms, close to Interlaken West train station
• Mid-range: Hotel du Nord – spacious, stylish, and comfortable rooms with easy access to the Harder Kulm funicular
• Mid-range: Post Hardermannli – a chalet-style hotel with clean rooms and friendly staff
• Luxury: Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel and Spa – a truly luxurious experience with an exclusive spa and three on-site restaurants
• Luxury: Grand Hotel Beau Rivage Interlaken – an impressive hotel in a historic property, with a sun terrace, garden, and indoor swimming pool

The hike up Augstmatthorn from Harder Kulm is one of the best, albeit challenging, day hikes from Interlaken. The views over the area are amazing – while the hike is tough, the reward makes it so worthwhile. If you’re looking for a day hike from Interlaken, and want to get the views from Harder Kulm, this is a great choice. I hope this post helps planning your hike to Augstmatthorn and your trip to Interlaken!

This post was written in partnership with Travel Switzerland, who gifted me an 8-day Swiss Travel Pass Flex for my trip in Switzerland. All opinions are my own.

Have you visited Interlaken or hiked Augstmatthorn?

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