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After watching viral videos on social media of a steamship gliding through fields of flowers, wooden-roofed houses, and overlooking a turquoise lake surrounded by rolling mountains, Le Thi Hong (25 years old, from Hanoi) decided to go to Switzerland to fulfill her long-held dream of visiting at least once in her life.
The beauty of the steamship amidst the idyllic natural scenery.
A unique and one-of-a-kind train journey.
The stunning route winding through the Emmental Alps in central Switzerland features an impressive steam train that ascends to the Brienzer Rothorn. The highest station on the railway line is located at the summit, reaching an altitude of 2,244 meters. The train also passes through tunnels and numerous spectacular loops.
Brienz train station is opposite a fairytale-like village at the foot of the mountain.
The Swiss steam train is unique because it only operates from June to October each year. This railway line has been in operation since 1892 and takes approximately one hour to travel in each direction. The steam train journey begins in Brienz, and the route is 7.6 km long, from Brienz station to Rothorn Kulm station.
The train has only two carriages with an open-plan design so passengers can fully admire the stunning scenery outside, but it is still equipped with arched windows that can be lowered if it rains. The train's interior is quite small, with only three seats per row and no aisles as it is designed for sightseeing. Notably, the steam train is quite noisy due to its open space, allowing the engine noise to be heard.
The steamship was winding its way along the verdant mountainside.
Be captivated by the beauty of nature.
As a passenger on the train, Ms. Hong was able to admire the breathtaking natural scenery, ranging from majestic and magnificent to poetic and romantic. It was a beauty that left all the passengers on the train in awe and admiration. This is considered a wonderful experience, especially for nature lovers.
The rural village of Brienz, nestled at the foot of the mountains, possesses an incredibly peaceful beauty.
According to Ms. Hong, the scenery throughout the journey was a diary of emotions. As the train began its journey from the foot of the mountain, a poetic picture unfolded. It was the village of Brienz with its distinctive wooden roofs nestled among towering mountains, blending with a turquoise lake tinged with ivory white, like a milky stream at the bottom.
More than 20 minutes after the train departed, the dreamy atmosphere was gradually replaced by majestic beauty. From this altitude, the mountains along both sides of the route gradually came into view, and the temperature dropped, allowing travelers to enjoy fresher and cooler air.
A mountain range resembling a dinosaur's spine lies along the path to the summit of Brienz Rothorn.
As the train approaches the mountaintop, the image of the mountains becomes taller, more distant, layered, and shows significant temperature differences across the various mountain ranges. Therefore, visitors have the opportunity to admire the contrasting landscape created by the lightly snow-capped mountains interspersed with rolling hills covered in yellow flowers and green grass.
“The most impressive sight on the trip was the image of the charming little red steamship with its pristine white smoke drifting through the rolling hills of the vast, majestic natural landscape. This was the first time I had witnessed such a scene with so many different yet harmonious beauties,” Ms. Hong shared.
The elderly couple living here are watching the train descend the mountain at sunset.
The cows are grazed on the mountainside.
Things to keep in mind when experiencing a steam train ride.
According to Ms. Hong, everyone should visit the Brienz Rothorn Bahn website a week in advance to buy tickets and choose a suitable time slot for the trip. Especially for those who love taking photos and videos, it's recommended to arrive 30 minutes before departure to secure a good seat outside for taking pictures and videos.
The last train of the day, traveling along the mountain slopes as the sun was setting, was heading back to the station.
Before planning a steam train ride, everyone should check the weather forecast. If the planned day is sunny, that's fantastic; you'll get to admire the view of Lake Brienz with its milky white-tinged turquoise and see 693 different mountain peaks layered upon each other. But if you're unlucky enough to go on a rainy day, you'll have to roll down the train windows, making it difficult to see the surroundings due to the overcast sky, resulting in an incomplete trip and fewer beautiful photos.
Regarding transportation, you can take a direct train from Interlaken Ost to Brienz. If you're in Interlaken, you can travel to the ferry terminal and enjoy a beautiful cruise on Lake Brienz, passing through Iseltwald (a filming location for the drama "Crash Landing on You"). If traveling by car, there's a large parking lot on the main road, near Brienz Rothorn Bahn station.
The image shows a winding steam railway line between two mountain slopes.
One of 693 mountains with incredibly unique beauty.
Detailed itinerary for the steam train experience:
- 2:30 PM: Arrive at Brienz steam train station
- 14:58: Steamship departs from Brienz pier to Rothorn peak.
- 3:57 PM: Reached the summit of Brienz Rothorn
After reaching the summit of Brienz Rothorn, you can stop at the only restaurant there to rest, enjoy a cup of coffee, and admire the view. Alternatively, you can hike a little further to the highest point of Brienz Rothorn for stunning views, photos, and an unforgettable vista. If you want to spend more time at the top of Brienz Rothorn, it's best to go earlier.
- 17:10: Arrive at the point where the train departs for the pier.
- 5:40 PM: The last steamship of the day returns to Brienz pier.
- 6:40 PM: Arrived at Brienz station.
