SWITZERLAND – The journey to the summit of Brienzer Rothorn, a famous tourist destination in Switzerland, offers Vietnamese tourists a range of emotions.
Le Thi Hong, a 25-year-old living in Hanoi, visited Brienz in early September. She said this is an ideal time to visit Switzerland because of the warm weather, lush greenery, and one of the most exciting experiences here is the steam train journey to the top of Brienzer Rothorn Mountain.
Brienzer Rothorn, at 2,350 meters above sea level, is the highest peak in the Emmental Alps range in central Switzerland. According to Switzerlandical travel guide website, the steam train journey to the top of Brienzer Rothorn can make tourists “remember for a lifetime.” This is a must-try experience for nature enthusiasts.
In the photo is the train station near the village of Brienz at the foot of the mountain. The round-trip ticket for this steam train journey is 96 CHF per person. If you have certain cards like the Swiss Travel Pass, Half Fare Card, or Day Pass, the price is halved.
The train runs along a winding route through the hills to the mountain summit. This railway line has been in operation since 1892, and it takes about an hour to travel from the base of the mountain to the summit.
The train has only two carriages, designed with an open layout to allow passengers to easily take in the magnificent natural scenery. The train space is quite small, with each row of seats accommodating three passengers, and there is no aisle as the train is designed for sightseeing. Many tourists want to experience the steam train, so Hồng had to arrive more than 30 minutes early to queue.
A close-up of the steam train taking passengers to the mountain peak. This 7.6 km railway line is touted to offer an experience of “running along the mountainside, crossing meadows, streams, rocks, and forests.” Photo: Interlaken
The railway line viewed from above.
A small stream along the way to the mountain summit. The female traveler noted that throughout the journey, the scenery continuously changed. “The landscape during the journey is like an emotional-rich diary,” Hong said.
As the train started its journey from the base of the mountain, a picturesque scene unfolded before Hồng’s eyes. It was the village of Brienz with its distinctive wooden roofs, nestled under towering mountains, next to a lake with a deep green hue tinged with a hint of ivory white, resembling milk.
The image of the lake, also called Brienz, appeared in some scenes of the South Korean drama “Crash Landing on You.” However, the filming location is not the village of Brienz but the village of Iseltwald, also located by the lake.
The steam train passes through the grazing area of the mountain residents.
About 20 minutes after the train departs, the dreamy landscape gradually gives way to breathtaking and awe-inspiring beauty. From this height, the mountain peaks on both sides of the route become visible, the temperature drops, allowing travelers to feel the fresh and cooler air.
A range of mountains shaped like a dinosaur backbone on the way to the top of Brienz Rothorn.
As the train approaches the mountain’s summit, travelers can admire the distant and higher mountain ranges. In the photo, there is a contrast between two mountains, one covered with lush greenery under warm weather, while the other is cold and snowy.
A peaceful moment in the afternoon sun when Hong spotted two elderly people living on the mountain sitting together, watching the departing trains.
The female traveler noted that when arriving at the station, everyone will walk a little further to reach the summit. Afterward, travelers can either stay to enjoy the scenery or return immediately on the same train they took to go up.
The last train of the day leaves, ending the journey. Hong said the return train travels on the same track used to go up. Therefore, the front of the train is always at the rear, whether going up or down the mountain.
