Stockhorn

The Stockhorn is a mountain of the Bernese Alps, overlooking the region of Lake Thun in the Bernese Oberland. It is located north of the town of Erlenbach im Simmental. The Stockhorn is 2,190 m (7,190 ft) high and is accessible via cable car from Erlenbach. It has a restaurant at the top and is a good starting point for many hikes. There is good fishing in the two lakes right below the Stockhorn, the Oberstockensee and the Hinterstockensee.

The fantastic view over the Swiss Alps will inspire you. Enjoy the charm of the unique adventure world around the two idyllic mountain lakes. Explore the varied hiking trails, soak up the sun on the panoramic terrace or get the adrenaline rush with bungy jumping.

General information

Facts and Information

Altitude :- 2190m

Accessibility :- By train to Erlenbach in the Simmen Valley, 12 minutes on foot or with the shuttle bus to the valley station, cable car via the mid Chrindi station and on to the summit.

View :- Bernese Alps, Simmen and Aare valleys as far as Bern and the Jura

Attractions :-Tunnel to the panoramic viewing platform on the north face of the Stockhorn, 400 meters above the valley floor

Culinary aspects :- Panorama restaurant by the mountain station,180 places, sun terrace, Sunday brunches (year-round), moon-shine dinners

Overnight stays :-no possible accommodation

Groups :- Group offers for minimum 20 people, including extra trips; aperitifs in the rock grotto

Winter :- Cable railway to the summit, winter hiking paths and snowshoe trails from Chrindi, no ski-lift operations

Special comments :- Hinterstocken and Oberstocken lakes – great spots for families
Please note: reduced rate mountain rail ascent with the Swiss Travel Pass/GA travelcard.
Buy your tickets on arrival at the station.

Summer

• Bungy jumping: 

The unique and unforgettable thrill of a jump from a cable car at a height of 134 m. Those with a thirst for adventure will enjoy this extreme adrenaline kick amidst spectacular surroundings.

Prices:

• Fishing:

Enjoy fishing in crystal-clear mountain lakes in a uniquely beautiful mountainscape. With patience and a little luck, you’re sure to bag a proud catch! We wish you “Petri Heil” (a good catch)!

Important Hints:

• The fishery will reopen in early summer.

• Ice fishing is open in winter in good conditions. See note!

Prices:

‘Combi’ ticket:

Scope of the fishery entitlement.

Both mountain lakes – the Hinterstockensee and Oberstockensee – make the Stockhorn region an outstanding location for fishing. Its waters are rich in rainbow trout, which are sure to quicken the pulse of every angler.

• Paragliding:

The Stockhorn offers ideal launch conditions for paragliders. The launch site can be reached quickly and simply from the mountain station.

‘Combi’ ticket:

Map landing place for paragliders

We’ll transport you by cable car and take you to the readily accessible launch site directly next to the mountain station.

Technical information

• Raclette on the mountain:

All-you-can-eat cave raclette with wine in the unique ambience of the rock grotto on the Stockhorn by the light of 200 candles.

Important Hints:

• For groups of 20 persons or more, the all-you-can-eat cave raclette is offered by appointment. 

• Ascent 7.00 p.m., Descent 10 p.m.

‘Combi’ ticket:

Between the raclette you can let your gaze wander northwards over the sea of lights of the city of Thun and the Aare Valley. The excursion to the wintry Stockhorn is rounded off with a dessert in the panorama restaurant before the Stockhorn cable car brings you safely back to Erlenbach. Let yourself be enchanted by the unique atmosphere and enjoy an unforgettable evening, be it with friends or on the occasion of a staff or customer event.

• Raclette caves:

This exclusive cave raclette gives you the opportunity to enjoy an almost conventional raclette meal, but in the extraordinary ambience of little known caves on the Stockhorn.

Important Hints:

• Meeting point at 10.00 a.m. at middle station Chrindi. It takes approx. five hours.

• Four groups of 10 and more persons possible by arrangement.

‘Combi’ ticket:

With an exclusive cave raclette you will experience an almost ordinary raclette meal in an extraordinary ambience. The cave evokes different feelings in people: fascination, security, experiencing something new and possibly also feelings of insecurity.

The company InCave GmbH as a cave specialist wants to inspire as many people as possible for caves and therefore offers the cave raclette at the Stockhorn in an easily accessible and walkable cave, so that you as a cave novice are not deterred.

For the hike to and in the caves, surefootedness and a head for heights are required. The route leads partly on official hiking trails, partly through pathless terrain. The pure hiking time is about 2 h. Since clothes can get dirty, it is advisable to wear old clothes.

• Cave tours: 

Sporty cave tours

Important Hints:

• Season: July to late October

• For groups of 3 people or more, the cave tour is offered by appointment.

• Maximum number of participants: 6 people

• Meeting point: 10.00 a.m. in the middle station Chrindi at the playground by the wooden rocking horse.

• Tour duration: approx. 7 hours

• Not available for children.

‘Combi’ ticket:

Grasp, climb, craw – on the tour in the Alpine shaft you leave the “normal” world and feel like a speleologist. Well-equipped and accompanied by experienced professional cave guides, you will discover the fascinating underworld step by step. New shapes appear in the light of the cave lamp; surprises are waiting around every corner.

And of course you will also be able to enjoy a moment of absolute darkness and silence.

Pure adventure – an experience that will be remembered for a long time.

Schedule:

• 10.00 a.m. Meeting point at Chrindi

• 10.00 a.m. around 10.45 a.m. Hike to the cave

• 10.45 a.m. – 11.15 a.m. Changing clothes and introduction to single rope technology

• 11.15 am – approx. 3.45 p.m. Cave tour 4½ hours

• 3.45 p.m. – approx. 4.15 p.m. Changing clothes, eating

• approx. 4.15 – 4.45 p.m. Return to Chrindi
  

• Rock climbing:

Important Hints:

• “Kletterführer Stockhorn” (Stockhorn Rock-Climbing Guide) by M. Tschumi is available for CHF 5.00 from the valley station.

• Stockhorn Rock-Climbing Park: Overview of sectors

The aerial cableway will take you to the climbing park on the Stockhorm with beautiful vistas across the Bernese Alps and the turquoise-coloured Lake Thun. This diverse rock-climbing region offers 12 sectors with over 120 climbing routes of difficulty grades from 2 to 7.

The starting points are easy to reach: from the summit station in only 2 to 10 minutes and from the Chrindi middle station in approx. 20 minutes. The majority of the climbing routes are south and south-east facing.

Ledge climbing on the compact limestone rock face allows the magnificence of nature and the rocky cliffs to be experienced in a unique way. Deep runnels, honed to an impressive smoothness by nature and extremely craggy, in part, steep rock face sections make this climbing region so fascinating and particularly diverse.

• Trail running:

Fit on the mountain

Important Hints:

• Stockhorn Half Marathon: 24 July 2021

The Stockhorn offers perfect conditions to get in shape. The Erlenbach – Chrindi route covers almost 1000 meters in altitude in a very short time. From Chrindi to the Stockhorn there are another 500 meters of altitude to complete.

An ideal a challenging way to prepare for mountain races.

• Trotti-Biken:

Trotti-biking from Vorderstockenalp

Important Hints:

• Minimum age: 9 years

• Opening times: end of May / beginning of June to October

• Make sure that you have enough accompanying persons in groups and school classes.

• Insurance is the responsibility of the scooter-bike renter.

‘Combi’ ticket:

Experience a fun rides back to the valley. The scooter bikes can be rented from the Vorderstockenalp. Helmets (in two sizes) are available.

• Start: Vorderstockenalp

• Goal: Erlenbach

• Length of the route: 10 kilometers

• Height difference: 1010 m

• Travel time: 20-30 minutes

• Hiking and walking:

‘Combi’ ticket:

From an effortless walk through to a demanding mountain hike, the walking region on the Stockhorn offers something for every visitor. Stroll around both of the Hinterstockensee and Oberstockensee mountain lakes or enjoy the magnificent views of the surrounding mountains, lakes and right into the Bernese Central Plateau on one of the popular walking trails leading to the Stockhorn summit.

Together with your family and children, become acquainted with nature in the Stockhorn region. Our adventure and flower nature trails are packed with interesting surprises. We’ll be delighted to provide you with several hiking suggestions to help you plan and make the most of your excursion.

Winter

• Snowshoeing:

Whether solo, or as a part of group on a guided tour, the idyllic glistening white winter landscape will cast its magical spell over you. A get-together for some raclette fun after a tiring snow tour is the sociable and enjoyable way to finish off a guided tour.

Important Hints:

• For your safety, please remain on the marked snowshoe trails.

• Please heed the avalanche risk information which is displayed at the valley and middle station and comply with the instructions of staff.

• Snowshoes can be hired ind the middlestation Chrindi.

Prices:

• Snow serves to transform the Stockhorn region into a romantic winter landscape that touches the hearts of all visitors. Setting off and leaving your own trail is simple with our popular snowshoes and turns a snowshoe trek into an unforgettably pleasurable winter experience.

• Ice skating:

Nature experience on the frozen Hinderstockensee

Important Hints:

• Please see the daily information about the ice conditions on the lake.

• Ice skates can be rented at the middle station Chrindi.

Prices:

A great winter experience for the whole family. When there are good conditions, a part of the Lake Hinderstocken is specially prepared to go ice skating. Enjoy a smooth and sporty day in a breathtaking scenery.

• Winter hiking:

Experience the charm of a winter hike on our well-prepared winter walking trails and enjoy the tranquility of the Stockhorn’s romantic white winter world.

Far removed from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life, surrounded by the tranquility of a snow-covered landscape, you’ll walk along our well-prepared winter walking trails through the stunningly beautiful Stockhorn region. The romantic trails lead around the frozen Hinterstockensee or to the idyllic “Oberbärgli” Alpine hut on the Lasenberg. An unforgettable experience of nature that will dispel everyday cares and concerns with every step that is taken.

Winter hiking trail Oberbärgli

Route: Chrindi-Oberbärgli-Chrindi

Length: 3km, difference in altitude: +/- 400 m, walking time: 1h 15min

condition: easy

Route on SchweizMobil

• Ice-fishing:

Try your hand at catching fish from the lake through a hole in the ice, like the Inuk!

Important Hints:

• Ice-fishing equipment can be rented at the middlestation Chrindi.

• Observe status every day!

Prices:

‘Combi’ ticket:

‘Combi’ ticket:

Petri Heil!

Together with an experienced fisherman you will learn tips and tricks about mountain lake fishing and with a little luck, you will take your catch home in the evening!

Program:

• 09.50 Mountain trip Erlenbach-Chrindi

• 10.00 Welcome and introduction

• 11.00 Fishing at Hinterstockensee

• 12.15 Lunch at Restaurant Chrindi

• 13.15 Fishing at lake Hinterstocken

• 15.00 Coffee and farewell at the Chrindi restaurant

• High-altitude cave raclette:

Important Hints:

• For groups of 20 persons or more, the all-you-can-eat cave raclette is offered by appointment.

• Ascent 7.00 p.m., Descent 10 p.m.

‘Combi’ ticket:

• Raclette caves:

Important Hints:

• Meeting point at 10.00 a.m. at middle station Chrindi. It takes approx. five hours.

• Four groups of 10 and more persons possible by arrangement.

‘Combi’ ticket:

• Cave tours:

Important Hints:

• Season: July to late October

• For groups of 3 people or more, the cave tour is offered by appointment.

• Maximum number of participants: 6 people

• Meeting point: 10.00 a.m. in the middle station Chrindi at the playground by the wooden rocking horse.

• Tour duration: approx. 7 hours

• Not available for children.

‘Combi’ ticket:

• Trotti-Biken:

Important Hints:

• Minimum age: 9 years

• Opening times: end of May / beginning of June to October

• Make sure that you have enough accompanying persons in groups and school classes.

• Insurance is the responsibility of the scooter-bike renter.

‘Combi’ ticket:

Experience a fun rides back to the valley. The scooter bikes can be rented from the Vorderstockenalp. Helmets (in two sizes) are available.

• Start: Vorderstockenalp

• Goal: Erlenbach

• Length of the route: 10 kilometers

• Height difference: 1010 m

• Travel time: 20-30 minutes