Family

Gurten - a children's paradise

Fun on Bern's balcony

“I woooon!” shouts Lea, as she is the first to cross the finish line she has agreed with Ben. They regularly race the cool Kids Cars on Mount Gurten. Ben usually wins, but pssst! They then run straight to the ball run. Lea and Ben can spend ages there, lifting, turning, winding and shaking their balls over a distance of around 300 metres to the end. Today they’ve even met up with friends and play hide and seek on the large wooden structure between the nets, climbing tunnel and slide. After a snack, there’s the crowning moment: a turn on the miniature railway. “We’re in luck,” calls Ben. “The steam engine is out today.”

Travel comfortably by train to Wabern b. Bern. In just a few steps you'll arrive at the Gurtenbahn.

 

Attractions Play park

There’s so much to do at the play park on Mount Gurten. A wide variety of attractions – most of them free – encourage children to explore, play and burn off some energy. Here are just a few of the highlights.

The small railway

The carefully designed miniature railway route takes guests large and small around the playpark. It is probably one of the oldest installations in Switzerland that is still working, and every year it carries around 80,000 children and 20,000 adults. In the course of this, the steam engine and other small trains cover around 6,000 km, which is approximately equivalent to the distance from Gurten to the Empire State Building.

The operation is dependent on the weather. Check at gurtenpark.ch whether the small railway is running.

Prices the small railway

  • CHF 2.00 Single ride children
  • CHF 3.00 Single ride adults
  • CHF 10.00 Multi-ride card children 6 rides
  • CHF15.00 Multi-course card adult 6 rides
  • gratis Children up to 1.99 years

Summer sledge

The summer toboggan run promises to be fun for young and old alike: tight corners, straight lines that allow you to go down the track at full speed and even a tunnel that will guarantee thrills and strong sensations.

  • Children from 8 years old can use the toboggan individually.
  • Children between 3 and 7 years can only use the summer toboggan run when accompanied (over the age of 12).

Operating times

18.03.–05.11.2023

Mon–Fri: 13.00–18.00
Sat–Sun: 10.00–18.00

Price

  • CHF 4.00 Children from 9 years
  • CHF 5.00 Adults

Kid's Car

Accelerate, brake, avoid, maneuver: With the 12 Kids Cars, young guests can gain their first experience with a car and experienced drivers can take a few laps on the otherwise car-free Gurten.

The Kid Cars are in operation daily from 10.00-17.00, weather permitting.

Prices Kid's Car

  • CHF 1.00 3 minute ride

Grünenfelder's ball machine

Stefan Grünenfelder’s legendary ball circuit is a kind of oversized Tinguely machine, where levers, pivots and cranks are operated. The countless stretches and mechanisms will excite both large and small. With a track length of over 300 meters, the track has the shape of a hexagon with a diameter of more than 6.5 meters. If you want to play through the track from start to finish, it will take you almost an hour to complete the 30 support mechanisms. As long as temperatures do not drop below zero degrees, the ball circuit also works in winter.

Gurtengarden

In the middle of the Gurtenpark, the 650 m2 biological Gurten Garden invites you to explore. Garden animals and a colourful plant community offer children and families a varied experience of nature. The Gurtengärtli is freely accessible and free of charge.

Supervised garden afternoons

Free, supervised garden afternoons are held on Wednesdays and Sundays from 1.30 to 4.30 pm. During these afternoons, the children learn more about organic gardening and nature. In addition to practical work in the garden, the children are offered various activities, such as handicrafts, following the tracks of earthworms or processing the harvested vegetables.

Ferris wheel - trip to the heights

The highest Ferris wheel in Bern. From 16 September to 25 October 2023, you will have the opportunity to do laps up into the heights on Bern's local mountain and feel like you were in your childhood. Experience the wonderful autumn atmosphere on the Gurten and enjoy the view of the city of Bern. It's an opportunity to see the beautiful surroundings from a new perspective.

Opening hours

Mon–Thu   13.00–20.00 hours 
Fri              13.00–22.00 hours 
Sat             11.00–22.00 hours 
Sun            11.00–19.30 hours 

Opening hours may vary depending on weather conditions.

Prices

Normal price                  CHF 7.00
Children 4–12 years       CHF 5.00
Children under 4 years   free

Restaurant Tapis Rouge

At the self-service restaurant Tapis Rouge you will find a wide selection of salads, hot dishes and delicious desserts. There is something for everyone. For the little ones, the offer includes a children's buffet and the older ones appreciate our varied offer of röstis.
The two terraces invite you to bask in the sun and the children can play freely in a large games room.

Opening hours

18.10.2022–10.04.2023

Daily from 9:00 till 18:00 hour

11.04.2023–16.10.2023

Daily from 9:00 till 20:00 hour

17.10.2023–10.04.2024

Daily from 9:00 till 18:00 hour

 

In case of bad weather, the restaurant may close earlier.

Observatory - the observatory above Bern

The observatory on the Gurten - a look into the universe for the whole family

Since April 2022, the observatory on the Gurten has been thrilling astronomy fans both young and old. "Astro Events" explains the complex physical phenomena of the universe in an understandable and entertaining way and the telescope allows you to see the ring of Saturn or a planetary nebula live.

  • Observation evenings are held every Tuesday. Astro Events explains the phenomena of the universe in an entertaining way and offers a glimpse into distant galaxies.
  • In the winter months, children's observation evenings are held once a month for young planet fans, with models, crafts and, of course, a look through the telescope. 
  • Special celestial events take place several times a year, for example a shooting star night or a lunar eclipse. On these occasions, the observatory puts on an evening with the wow factor. 
  • The observatory is open to the public a few days a year, free of charge, so that everyone can have a look through a telescope.

The number of visitors per evening is limited and pre-registration is necessary.

Gurtenbahn Today (Wednesday) open

Operating times

Daily, every 15 mins

Mon–Sat                          07.00–23.45 hours
Sun and public holidays   07.00–20.15 hours

Wabern–Gurten Kulm one-way

  • CHF 6.00 Adults
  • CHF 3.00 Adults with Half Fare Card
  • CHF 3.00 Children 6–15.99 years

Wabern–Gurten Kulm retour

  • CHF 11.00 Adults
  • CHF 5.50 Adults with Half Fare Card
  • CHF 5.50 Children 6–15.99 years

The GA Travelcard and the Libero zone 100/101 season ticket are valid. Tickets can also be purchased via the BLS online timetable and via the BLS Mobil App, as well as at all stations in Switzerland.

Prices in CHF incl. VAT / Prices and products subject to alteration

Plan journey

Travel comfortably by train to Wabern b. Bern. In just a few steps you'll arrive at the Gurtenbahn.

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