Find out more about Tschentenalp
Tschentenalp is known as a year-round hiker's paradise with great views, beautiful mountain lakes and ice-cold streams
7 Highlights Tschentenalp
- Tschentenalp is situated at 1950 m above sea level
- It is Adelboden's local mountain and can be reached from there by cable car in 5 minutes
- Opposite the summit restaurant the three-thousand-metre peaks rise: the Lohnermassiv, the Tschingellochtighorn and the Wildstrubel.
- A hike from the TschentenAlp to the Choleren Gorge is an easy hike suitable for the whole family and shows the roaring Tschentenbach as a highlight very close.
- A 6km long toboggan run leads from TschentenAlp on a particularly wide slope down to the valley. Night sledding is also very popular here.
- The giant swing Giant Swing is considered a photo point on Tschentenalp.
- The large iron sculpture "Mondsäge I" on the alp was created by the artist Hans Bernhard Luginbühl.
The "mountain of views" is reached by a gondola lift, which takes its guests up in 5 minutes. The Tschentenalp is therefore a very popular excursion destination and recreation area.
Giant Swing and other sights on Tschentenalp
Tschentenalp offers wonderful viewpoints. From the mountain restaurant, but also from various vantage points on the mountain, you can see into the Engstligental, to the Wildstrubel and up to the Wildhorn.
A special viewpoint is located about 400m southwest of the top station of the cable car. Another nice photo point is the place where a big swing has been built Giant Swing is the name of the swing on the slope of Tschentenalp, which gives the feeling of floating through the air. It is a hanging seat swing, which is also called Rytiplampi in the Bernese Oberland. The swing stands at 1950 m above sea level and lets visitors swing back and forth on a 5m long rope. The view is directly directed to the Lohnermassiv on the opposite side.
The use of the Giant Swing is possible all year round and free of charge. The swing is located about 200 meters northeast of the cable car station above the children's ski lift.
A children's playground with a slide and various climbing facilities awaits children near the top station of the gondola lift. The climbing equipment is largely made of wood and ropes. They have been integrated into the terrain in such a way that they ensure the best play experiences for the children. The playground is located directly at the mountain restaurant. In bad weather, children can also climb and slide indoors.
The metal sculpture at the top of Tschentenalp is by Hans Bernhard Luginbühl (* 1929 in Bern; † 2011 in Langnau im Emmental). This sculpture has the name "Mondsäge I". Many of his famous iron sculptures are in public spaces.
Mountain railroads to Tschentenalp
The gondola lift type UK-15 was built in 1991 and overcomes on a length of 1,257 meters about 590 meters of altitude between Adelboden and Tschentenalp.
Facts about the Adelboden - Tschentenalp gondola lift
The gondola lift is a 15-seater group circulating lift.
- 1267 m length
- 580 meters altitude
- 1950 m above sea level top station
- 1370 m above sea level bottom station
- Travel time 4 min. 40 sec.
- 5 m per second
- 810 persons per hour
In addition, a chair lift operates between Möser (1641 m above sea level) and Tschentenegg (1945 m above sea level).
Operating times of the gondola lift
During the seasonal periods from about mid-December to about mid-March and early July to about mid-October, the gondola runs every quarter-hour between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm daily
| Cable Car | Mid December to mid March | Early July to late October |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 - 17:00 h | every 15 minutes | every 15 minutes |
| 16:45 h | last ascent | last ascent |
| 17:00 h | last descent | last descent |
In the mid-season May-June and the end of October it does not run daily, but mostly on weekends. Precondition is nice weather
Prices on the TschentenAlp
In summer, combination tickets can also be purchased as "GenussPlus". They include the train ride and an additional credit of CHF 20 for the restaurant.
- Combi with train one way 31 CHF
- Combi with train return 36 CHF
Summer prices of the cable car (CHF)
| Single traveler | Adults | Children |
|---|---|---|
| single | 22.00 | 11.00 |
| retour | 32.00 | 16.00 |
| Halbtax, GA | adults | children | guest card, groups (min. 10 pers.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| simple | 11.00 | 11.00 | 17.00 |
| retour | 16.00 | 16.0 | 25.00 |
| family card | at least 1 adult + 1 child | each additional child |
|---|---|---|
| single | 17.00 | 1st child free |
| return | 25.00 | 5.00 for each additional child |
For bike transport you pay an additional CHF 10 per day.
A last minute ticket is available from 15:30:
- Adults 10 CHF
- Children 5 CHF
Winter prices ski and snowboard incl. gondola lift (CHF)
A day ticket for a family (2 adults, 2 children) costs 120 CHF.
| Ski pass incl. cable car | Adults | Children | Youth | Seniors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | 55,00 | 28,00 | 48,00 | |
| 4 hours | 48,00 | 23,00 | 42,00 | |
| 2 hours | 38,00 | 20,00 | 34,00 | |
| conveyor belt/day | 30.00 | 18.00 |
Winter prices sledging and night sledging incl. gondola lift (CHF)
| Sledding pass and cable car | Adults/Seniors/Youth | Children | Families (with own children) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | 45,00 | 26,00 | 99,00 |
| 4 hours | 40,00 | 21,00 | 88,00 |
| 2 hours | 32,00 | 16,00 | 72,00 |
| night sledding | 36,00 | 18,00 | 80,00 |
| rent for sledges | adults/seniors/youngsters | children |
|---|---|---|
| 4 hours to 1 day | 15,00 | |
| 2 hours | 10,00 | 10,00 |
| night sledding | 15,00 | 15,00 |
Day tickets for ski passes Tschenten and Adelboden-Link are valid without surcharge for night sledging.
Detailed information on passes and prices in Switzerland can be found on the pages Travel and Tourist Passes in Switzerland and Rail Tickets in Switzerland.
Activities on the Tschentenalp
The TschentenAlp is not only a paradise for hikers and mountain bikers in summer. hikes, for example, over the Schermtanne to Adelboden or to the Höreli are also very pleasant and easily accomplished in winter. Paragliders also find very favorable conditions here. The winter season on TschentenAlp starts around mid-December and ends around mid-March. **All facilities are closed between the end of the mid-season at the beginning of December and the beginning of the winter season
This summer and winter map of the area around Tschentenalp will help you to find your way when planning activities.
Sports equipment can be rented at the Tschentenbahnen itself or at Harisport.
Among the most popular activities are:
- Hiking, also winter hiking and snowshoeing
- Mountain biking
- Paragliding
- Sledding and night sledding
- Ski & Snowboard, Snowfarming
- Snowbiking
Hikes to and from Tschentenalp
For hiking, there are shorter and longer hikes, most of which are classified as easy to moderately difficult. Especially inexperienced hikers can take the gondola up to TschentenAlp in five minutes and hike downhill on pleasant trails. Many of these paths are passable all year round. Dangerous fixed rope routes are not on the way here. The special mountain panorama can already be enjoyed from the terrace of the mountain restaurant.
For snowshoe hikes the path via the mountain station of TschentenAlp, Tschentenegg and Möser to the valley station of the chair lift is used. The hiking time is 1.5 hours.
Various hiking trails are designated on the TschentenAlp and are marked accordingly. These include various paths downhill to the village of Adelboden, which can also be walked uphill in the opposite direction.
Among the most popular hikes are these destinations:
- Höreli Alpine Garden on the Lower Hörnli Trail
- Upper Hörnliweg
- The Choleren gorge with the Tschentenbach waterfall
- The deep rock funnel of the Pochtenkessel, where the Engstlige and Otterebach rivers meet
- Upper Fluhweide with a view of the Wildstrubel massif
- The Schermtanne with restaurant and hotel and the view of the Stiegelschwand
- The Schwandfeldspitz (2025 m)
Mountain biking at Tschentenalp
Mountain bikes are transported free of charge by gondola to TschentenAlp. The descent from the mountain is on hard trails, which are partly tarred between Ausserschwand via Möser to Tschentenegg.
The descent towards Schermtanne, which is often used by mountain bikers, is popular with hikers and must therefore be ridden with particular care.
E- mountain bikers can easily manage the way to Tschentenalp without the gondola lift. E- mountain bikes can be rented in Adelboden at Büschlen.
Popular tours are:
- Panorama tour Adelboden via Bütschegga, Mösere to Tschentenalp and via Blachti and Allebach back to Adelboden
- Bikeroute 20 Engstligen to Loop: More than 2000 meters of altitude are covered up and down in about 6.5 hours of riding time. However, the ride can be broken off at some points beforehand, as it goes around Adelboden. There are also eight places to stop for refreshments along the route.
- Bikeroute 11 Adelboden to Tschentenalp and via Schermtanne back to Adelboden
- Adelboden to Tschenten and via Hahnemoos and Chuenis to Tschenten: this tour includes 2800 vertical meters and two gondola rides.
Paragliding from Tschentenalp
Paragliding from TschentenAlp is a very popular sport. The jump is made from the Schwandfälspitz.
From the top station of the gondola lift, the path leads southeast for about ten minutes to the large take-off area at Schwandfälspitz. Even in January, climb rates of 2-3 meters per second are not uncommon here. In the Oey near the cemetery is the paragliding landing site.
If you don't like to fly yourself, watch the paragliders as they spread out their paragliders on the meadow (or on the snow), secure harnesses and jump into the air after a few steps.
Sledding and night sledding at Tschentenalp
At TschentenAlp there are various trails suitable for sledding. The toboggan runs are generally separated from the ski runs, there is only one crossing point.
Offer Swiss Activities:
With the purchase of the tobogganing ticket, the desired sports equipment can be rented if necessary: Skibock, Skigibel, Balancer, Airboard (air cushion sled) or classic Davos sled are available.
The sledding trail network from Tschentenalp has a total length of 14 kilometers and is divided into six routes:
Möser easy: 2.2 km, return trip with chairlift
Möser medium and Möser (airboard): 2.0 km, return trip with chairlift
Möser medium: 1,5 km, return trip with chair lift
Möser difficult: 1,0 km, return trip with chair lift
The toboggan runs start next to the top station of the chair lift. From here they lead down over the Tschentenegg and end after about 300 meters of descent at the latest at the valley station of the chair lift. After a 3.5 minute ride, you are back at the top station.
Valley: 6.0 km, combined sledding/hiking (by bus to the mountain railroad or walking time 45 minutes)
Valley (Skibock slope) difficult: 1.5 km
Every Wednesday and Saturday evening the toboggan runs are illuminated between 6 pm and 9 pm for night tobogganing. The restaurants serve hot mulled wine or a fondue. The last descent of the gondola group gondola is at 10 pm.
The operating times for sledging and night sledging in the winter season
| operating hours | from - to |
|---|---|
| sledging | 09:00 to 16:30 |
| night sledging | 18:00 to 21:00 on Saturdays and Wednesdays |
| cable car for night sledging | from 18:00 every 30 minutes |
| last ascent night sledging | 8 p.m. |
| last descent night sledging | 10 pm |
Ski & Snowboard
For skiing and snowboarding, the area around Tschentenalp has 7.5 kilometers of slopes that invite carving because of their width. Details can be found in the piste map.
The slopes are composed of 1.5 kilometers of blue run and 6 kilometers of red run. In addition, there are about 2.5 kilometers of freeride. Blue slopes are suitable for beginners, as they have little gradient. Red slopes are for advanced skiers.
For children there is a children's ski lift. The youngest practice in the Tschenten practice fun park
The operating hours of the lifts in the winter season
| Operating hours | from - to | weekdays |
|---|---|---|
| chair lift | 09:00 to 16:30 | daily |
| ski lift | 09:00 to 16:30 | weekends |
| Skilift during school vacations | 09:00 to 16:30 | daily |
Snowfarming
Snowfarming has been a tradition on Tschentenalp for several years. At the end of winter, snow is gathered by the snow groomers, well packed with ten-centimeter-thick insulation boards, fleece and plastic film.
The snow is saved to be used again in October as the first snow of the season. It is mainly used by junior racers for practice from mid-October, but private individuals can also use the race slope from Fridays to Sundays from November.
Snowbiking
Snowbiking, or snow biking, is a young sport that is increasingly practiced in Switzerland. A snowbike is a mixture of a motocross and a snowmobile. There is a standard dirtbike frame and the engine and suspension are also retained. Instead of wheels, skis are attached and often there is even a track mounted on the back like on a snowmobile.
Snow biking is allowed on the slopes at certain times. The route used is the slopes up to the valley station of the chairlift. The ride continues via Ausserschwand and the main road back to the valley station of the Tschenten gondola.
The Infosnowkarte shows if there is enough snow or if the slope has been closed for weather reasons.
Events on the Tschentenalp
Motorskicross is as Tschentencross a fun event on the TschentenAlp. Both ski cup races and motocross races have always been held here. Now a race was created from both sports, where a skier and a motorcyclist form a team.
Every year at the beginning of March, the Swiss Championships in Skibock driving take place at TschentenAlp. A skibock is an intermediate between a ski and a toboggan.
Dr Gälb Cup with JO animation giant slalom traditionally takes place at the end of March in the training center on the snowfarming slope of Tschentenalp.
For the New Year's Eve with 5 courses in the mountain restaurant TschentenAlp from 18:30 - 23:55, seats must be reserved in advance. Mountain rides 0:30 o'clock, 1:00 o'clock and 1:30 o'clock.
In July there is the Tschentenjutz on the Schnarihubl with the Yodel Club Adelboden and the Örgeli-Trio Furggiblick, followed by the Chilbi in the TschentenAlp restaurant.
In summer there are concerts on the terrace of the mountain restaurant from time to time, for example with Nils Burri. On Sundays there is either TschentenGrill or brunch at the mountain restaurant.
All current events can be found on the page Events of the Tschentenbahn.
Mountain Restaurant, Tschenten Chalet and Tschenten Drom on Tschentenalp
In total there are three houses on Tschenten, the mountain restaurant, the Tschenten Chalet and the Tschenten Drom.
Mountain restaurant on Tschentenalp
As a self-service restaurant, the mountain restaurant on TschentenAlp offers warm cuisine with soups of the day and fried sausages until 3 pm. Cold snacks, salads and cakes are also available.
The restaurant can be booked for celebrations with family, company or club. For this purpose, banquet proposals are available, which are customized. Raclette evenings are regularly held here between 18:00 and 22:00. The last gondola descends on these evenings at 22:00.
Wedding aperitifs for wedding guests and their guests at the top of the mountain are an exceptional crowning of the most beautiful day and, with the mountains in the background, provide the backdrop for unforgettable experiences and beautiful wedding photos.
The Enjoyment Plus promotion offers inexpensive mountain or uphill and downhill rides combined with a CHF 20 voucher in the mountain restaurant.
The opening hours of the mountain restaurant are coordinated with the operating hours of the gondola lift.
Tschentendrom
The Tschentendrom is an après-ski bar inside a glass sphere right at the top station of the cable car. It is heated and offers hunter's tea, mulled wine and other drinks with pleasant music. Around the Drom are benches, tables and loungers
During the night sledging the Tschentendrom is also open. The opening hours of the Tschentendrom are coordinated with the operating hours of the gondola.
Tschentenchalet
The Tschentenchalet is a hostel for up to 20 people. It can be rented completely by groups, companies or families. Besides a double room there is an eight-bed room and a ten-bed room. In addition to a bathroom with shower and toilet, there is WLAN. Overnight guests receive breakfast and 6 pm dinner: Cheese fondue, 2-course or 3-course dinner.
BreakFree is a promotion in the summer (around mid-June to the end of October), where overnight guests are allowed to use the mountain railroads free of charge. In addition to the cable car to TschentenAlp, this also includes the cable cars to Engstligenalp, Silleren-Hahnenmoos and Elsigenalp.
Climate and weather on Tschentenalp
Tschentenalp is situated at an altitude of just under 2000 m. The weather here tends to be cool, similar to the Tundren climate. This means that also the summer months are rather cool with 7 to 17°Celsius in July and August. The average annual temperature is 7°Celsius. The greatest amounts of precipitation fall between May and August and December and January. Since snow cannot be safely expected in the months of October and November, snow is provided by means of snowfarming
For hiking you should be prepared for heavy downpours. The weather in the mountains is often unpredictable and can change in a very short time.
Tschentenalp: Lage und Anfahrt
Die Tschentenalp liegt oberhalb von Adelboden im Berner Oberland. Sie wird mit der Gondelbahn Adelboden – Tschentenalp erreicht.
Die Talstation der als Umlaufbahn fahrenden Gondelbahn steht im Zentrum von Adelboden. Von Bern aus kommt man nach Adelboden in etwa 90 Minuten mit dem öffentlichen Verkehr:
Bern – Spiez IC 6 SBB und Spiez – Frutigen BLS oder direkt Bern – Frutigen (RE Richtung Domodossola)
Frutigen – Adelboden Post mit dem Bus B 230
Mit dem Auto wird Adelboden über die A6 in etwa einer Stunde erreicht. Vom Parkhaus bis zur Tschentenbahn-Station Adelboden sind es etwa fünf Minuten zu Fuss