Harder Kulm, despite its ever so slightly strange name, is the drawcard of Interlaken as it is the local mountain of this popular Swiss retreat. It stands gracefully at 1322 m and can be accessed by a short funicular (cable railway) ride, a mere 10 min to be precise. Harder Kulm is best known for its viewing platform, the two-lake Footbridge as it offers some fascinating vistas of the towering mountains, i.e., Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. The staggering panorama of the turquoise water of lakes Thun and Brienz comes as an icing on the cake. Seasoned hikers have a soft spot for Harder because of the many charming trails it is home to. Yet another lovely feature of Interlaken’s home peak is its castle-like Panorama Restaurant that serves delectable local cuisine and welcomes several hundred guests on a daily basis. Order a steaming pot of fondue and dine in the company of the Swiss Alps. Life is good.

The funicular to Harder Kulm is operational between the months of April and October and remains open from 8 am to till 6 pm; you will have to pay around 30 Swiss Francs for a round trip. Your journey begins at the ‘Harderbahn’ or the Valley Station in Interlaken, which is around 500 m from the Interlaken Ost station. Animal lovers can rejoice as it is adjacent to a sprawling Alpine Wildlife Park.