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.

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.

CHF 2.00 Single ride children
CHF 3.00 Single ride adults
CHF 10.00 Multi-ride card children 6 rides
CHF 15.00 Multi-course card adult 6 rides
free of charge Children up to 1.99 years

Kids 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 (in winter 16.00), weather permitting.

CHF 1.00 3 minute ride

Ball circuit

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.

Ferris wheel - trip to the heights

The highest ferris wheel in Bern

From 13 September to 19 October 2025, 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 13.00–19.30 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 8.00
Children 4–12 years CHF 5.00
Children under 4 years free of charge

Ferris wheel over Bern

Restaurant Huusbüffe

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.

14.04.2024–26.10.2025

Daily from 09.00 till 20.00 hours incl. public holidays

A brunch is offered on Saturday and Sunday.

In case of bad weather we reserve the right to close the restaurant earlier.

The kitchen closes 30 minutes before the official closing time.

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 on selected Tuesdays 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.

Observatory above Bern

Gurten funicular Today (Tuesday) open

The Gurten funicular operates daily from 7.00 hours every quarter of an hour, at 00/15/30 and 45 hours. Deviations from the timetable are possible when passenger numbers are high.

Monday–Saturday:

Last ascent 23.30 hours
Last descent 23.45 hours

Sunday & public holidays:

Last ascent 20.00 hours
Last descent 20.15 hours

Subject to change without prior notice

CHF 7.00 Adults
CHF 3.50 Adults with Half Fare Card
CHF 3.50 Children 6–15.99 years

CHF 12.60 Adults
CHF 6.30 Adults with Half Fare Card
CHF 6.30 Children 6–15.99 years

GA, Half-Fare travelcard, Bern Ticket, Junior Travelcard and Libero monthly and annual travelcards for the 100/101 zone are valid. The Libero Day pass and the Multi and Group Day passes are not valid. Tickets can be purchased via the BLS timetable, in the BLS mobile app, in the Gurtenbahn online store and at any ticket counter or ticket machine. The Gurtenbahn is cashless.

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