ViaBerna - stage 15 Schynige Platte - First

The Schynige Platte Panorama Ridge Trail towards the Tuba viewpoint starts at the Berghotel above the railway station. At the viewpoint you can enjoy an impressive vista of Lake Brienz and Lake Thun, as well as the Bernese Alps with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau triumvirate. The trail continues along the secured ridge, past Alpine rose bushes and limestone to the foot of the Oberberghorn. It is possible to climb to the summit of the rock face via steep ladders. The trail then heads in the direction of Loucherhorn and skirts around it to the south. You get another great view of the high Alpine peaks. A natural gateway in the ridge, the Güwtürli, takes you into the rocky landscape of the Güw. Small spruces that fight for survival are the only splashes of colour in this karst landscape. At Egg you switch to the flank of the tors of Sägissa. The ascent to Sattel Männdlenen takes you across the rocky valley floor. The route continues to Fulegg. It then leads down through Faulhorn, where you can stop in at the Berghotel. You then descend to lake Bachalpsee. The view over the dark surface of the water to Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn and Finsteraarhorn is incomparable and even more impressive at First where it expands to include the Grindelwald Glacier and the Eiger.

Schynige Platte means “shiny slab”. The area owes its name to the slate rock wall that is visible for miles around. It reflects the light very intensively especially after rainfall and looks like a shiny slab.

Berghotel Faulhorn is the oldest mountain hotel in Switzerland and has been running since 1832. Fritz Bohren, the legendary “Pintenfritz”, ran the hotel from 1888 to 1926. His hospitality must have been as good as his wit. He is said to have considerately whispered to a guest who was carefully combing his hair on the way to dinner: “Oh strählled ach nume nid, mier strähllen ach de schoon!” And when issuing an invoice, he is said to have occasionally written at the end: “Geit's so geit's – 5 francs.” If one of the most prosperous guests enquired about this service, he crossed out the item and murmured: “Es geid nid, es geid nid!”

Crystal clear water that reflects the Schreckhorn on a still day: That’s what the picturesque little Bachalpsee lake on First is known for and why photographers love it. There are two parts to the lake, separated by a natural dam.

First is a mountain ridge on the sunny side of Grindelwaldtal. Accessible via gondola lift and boasting various tourist attractions, it is a popular destination.