Augstmatthorn Hike from Lombachalp: Route, Map & Guide

There are dozens of beautiful hikes in Switzerland, but only a handful combine altitude, accessibility, and uninterrupted ridge walking the way Augstmatthorn does. Rising to 2,136 meters (7,008 ft) above Lake Brienz in the Bernese Oberland, this narrow crest forms one of the most visually striking sections of the Brienzergrat, with steep grassy flanks dropping toward turquoise water on one side and rolling alpine pasture on the other.

Unlike the full Brienzergrat traverse, which stretches for hours between Harder Kulm and the Brünig Pass, the Augstmatthorn loop from Lombachalp is a shorter, self-contained version of that experience. In roughly 6.4 kilometers (4 miles) with about 560 meters (1,837 ft) of elevation gain, you step directly onto the ridge, follow it toward the secondary summit of Siggiture, and return via a defined descent that closes the circuit efficiently. It delivers the essence of the longer route without committing to the entire ridge line.

Having completed the full clockwise loop myself in late summer, I’ll break down exactly how the route works, what to expect from the terrain, how to handle access from Interlaken, and whether this hike deserves a place alongside the other standout trails in the area.

Hike Overview and Stats

Before getting into route detail, here’s the complete planning snapshot for the shorter Lombachalp loop version of Augstmatthorn.

• Trail type: Clockwise loop
• Distance: 6.4 km (4 mi)
• Elevation gain: 560 m (1,837 ft)
• Highest point: 2,136 m (7,008 ft)
• Secondary summit Siggiture: 2,084 m (6,837 ft)
• Time required: 3 hours of moving time
• Difficulty: Moderate Swiss mountain trail T2
• Best season: July to October
• AllTrails map 

There are no technical climbing sections on this route. The ridge is exposed visually but wide enough to feel secure in dry conditions.

The complete Brienzergrat ridge from Harder Kulm spans roughly 25 km (15.5 mi) and becomes a long alpine undertaking. The Lombachalp version isolates the most scenic crest section and compresses it into a half-day hike, making it far more accessible for travelers based in Interlaken or the Bernese Oberland.

Trail Map and Route Direction

On the map below, you’ll see three key reference points:

• Interlaken as the main regional base
• Habkern as the last village before the starting point
• Lombachalp as the parking area, mountain hut and starting point
• Augstmatthorn and Siggiture peaks

You can do the loop in either direction, but what you choose changes the rhythm of the day.

Most hikers go clockwise, and I did the same. This places the main ascent at the beginning, brings you onto the ridge earlier, and keeps the final stretch as a controlled descent back into the basin. Structurally, it makes the hike feel progressive: climb, crest, traverse, descend. Walking counterclockwise reverses that sequence and saves the steeper terrain for later. It’s possible, but it compresses the most demanding portion toward the end of the hike.

For most travelers, the closest base is Interlaken, located about 15 kilometers (9 miles) away by road. Reaching the starting point from the area is pretty straightforward by car, and a little bit more complicated with public transport:

By Car

Driving is the most reliable way to access the Augstmatthorn hike from Lombachalp. From Interlaken, the road climbs steadily toward Habkern and then continues upward into the alpine basin. The final section becomes a narrow mountain road with limited passing points, so confident driving and attention are essential.

The parking area is located below Restaurant Jägerstübli at Lombachalp. There is a self-service payment machine in the lot where you can pay the required fee before starting the hike. Parking rate is CHF 8 for 4 hours, or CHF 10 for 12 hours. Bring coins with you.

Arriving before 9 am in peak summer significantly improves your chances of finding space, especially because there is no meaningful overflow area if the lot fills. The restaurant typically opens around 10:00 am, so if you arrive early for the hike, expect the building to be closed.

By Public Transport

Public transport access is limited. A bus runs from Interlaken to Habkern, and then there’s an additional shuttle bus that connects Habkern with Lombachalp, although seasonal and infrequent. In practical terms, relying on public transport requires checking schedules carefully and accepting reduced flexibility.
For most travelers, especially those following a tight Bernese Oberland itinerary, a rental car provides the most efficient access.

Step 1: Ascent from Lombachalp to Augstmatthorn

You leave the Lombachalp parking area and the climb starts almost immediately. The trail cuts through open pasture, and the first stretch feels softer than it looks. This part of the basin holds moisture, so for the first 15 to 20 minutes the ground can be muddy, especially in late summer. It’s not technical, just slightly messy underfoot until the slope firms up.

The hillside is completely open. Grass, cows, sky. The sun hits early and stays with you the whole way up, so if it’s a clear day, you feel it from the start.  As you gain elevation, the trail becomes more defined and the incline sharpens. Most of the 560 m (1,837 ft) of vertical gain happens on this stretch. The basin drops behind you, but the big view hasn’t arrived yet. The slope faces inward, and Lake Brienz stays hidden until the very end of the climb.

Navigation is straightforward. Yellow Swiss signs point clearly toward Augstmatthorn, and the path is obvious even without checking a map. The ground transitions from softer pasture to firmer alpine terrain as you approach the crest.

Then you step onto the ridge, and everything opens at once. Lake Brienz appears below in full scale, and the drop on the lake-facing side feels dramatic without being unsafe. Turning slighly left leads you along the ridge toward the summit cross of Augstmatthorn at 2,136 m (7,008 ft).

Step 2: Ridge Walk from Augstmatthorn to Suggiture

From the summit cross of Augstmatthorn, walk back and take the route that continues southeast along the crest toward Suggiture. The distance between the two high points is short, roughly 1 km (0.6 mi) along the ridge, and the elevation difference is modest, with Suggiture sitting slightly lower at 2,084 m (6,837 ft).

This is the most exposed section visually, and also the most enjoyable. The ridge is defined and narrow enough to feel alpine, yet wide and grassy enough to walk comfortably in dry conditions. The drop toward Lake Brienz on the north side is steep and dramatic, but never unsafe.

The path itself is clear and continuous. The footing alternates between compact dirt and alpine grass, with occasional rocky patches but nothing requiring hands or scrambling. Many hikers turn around at the main summit, so the ridge here sees lighter traffic. From here, the view shifts slightly, offering a different angle over the lake and along the Brienzergrat spine. At Suggiture, the descent route toward the valley becomes visible, marked by a clear intersection that drops off the ridge toward Lombachalp.

(Not so) fun fact: in summer, this crest tends to attract insects, especially flies and horseflies that gather in warm, windless conditions common at this altitude. On still days, they can be persistent along the highest grassy sections, particularly near the summit areas.

Step 3: Descent from Suggiture Back to Lombachalp

From Suggiture, the route leaves the crest and begins descending toward the valley. The junction is clearly marked, and once you take the right-hand turn off the ridge, the direction back to Lombachalp feels intuitive. The parking area is visible in the distance on clear days, which helps orient you immediately.

The character of the terrain changes here, as the ground shifts from grassy ridge to a rockier mountain path, with sections of loose stone that require more attention underfoot. It isn’t technical, but it requires more focus than the climb, and trekking poles help tremendously.

As you approach the lower basin again, the terrain softens and transitions back into pasture. The final minutes return you to the same open green meadow where the hike began. The loop closes naturally at the Lombachalp parking area.

In total, the full circuit typically takes 3 hours at a steady pace with short breaks, making it one of the most efficient high-ridge hikes in the Bernese Oberland.

• Footwear matters here! The ascent crosses pasture that retains moisture, and the descent includes uneven rock. Trail shoes with solid grip are a must, as lightweight running shoes will become slippery if the lower section is wet.
• Carry enough water for a steady climb in full sun. The route is fully exposed with no tree cover on the ascent or ridge, and there are no huts besides the one above the parking area. In summer temperatures around 20–25°C (68–77°F), most hikers are comfortable with 1 to 1.5 liters (34–50 oz) of water.
• Sun protection is essential. Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen make a noticeable difference because shade is minimal throughout the loop.
• Trekking poles are optional on the climb, but I found them helpful on the descent, where footing shifts to looser rock and the slope drops quickly.
• In mid-summer, insects can gather along the grassy ridge, particularly stable flies common in alpine pasture regions. A light layer or insect repellent helps on windless days.

Is there a gondola for the Augstmatthorn hike from Lombachalp?

There is no gondola or cable car serving Augstmatthorn from Lombachalp. If you start the hike from Lombachalp, you reach the trailhead by car and walk the full 6.4 km loop with 562 m of elevation gain.

The only cable car for Augstmatthorn is the Harder Kulm funicular from Interlaken, which climbs to 1,322 m (4,337 ft). From Harder Kulm, you can hike along the Brienzergrat ridge toward Augstmatthorn, but that turns the outing into a much longer and more demanding route (17+ km out and back).

If your goal is the short Lombachalp loop described in this guide, you do not need any lift. You simply drive up to Lombachalp and start hiking from there.

Do you lose major panoramic views if you skip the ridge section toward Suggiture?

No, this trail gives you the most dramatic panoramic views that the route is known for, especially over Lake Brienz and the central Bernese Alps, including the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks. These vistas are what the majority of visitors consider the highlight of the Augstmatthorn hike, and they are fully visible from the summit and nearby ridge. What you gain by hiking along the ridge between Harder Kulm and  Suggiture is mostly an additional sequence of different perspectives over the lake.

How difficult is the Augstmatthorn hike from Lombachalp?

The Lombachalp loop is considered a moderate mountain hike. The climb is continuous but not technical, since there are no via ferrata sections, no fixed cables, and no scrambling required in dry conditions. The main challenges are:

• Sustained uphill walking during the ascent
• Exposure to the sun due to a lack of tree cover
• A steeper, rockier descent from Suggiture

Hikers comfortable with regular mountain trails and steady elevation gain should manage it without difficulty.

Is Augstmatthorn safe for beginners?

For hikers with basic mountain experience and proper footwear, the route is manageable. The ridge feels exposed visually but offers stable footing in dry weather. This hike is less suitable for:

• Very young children
• Travelers uncomfortable with heights
• Visitors lacking hiking footwear

Weather conditions play a significant role, because wet grass on the ascent and loose rock on the descent would require extra preparation.

How long does the Augstmatthorn hike take?

Most hikers complete the loop in 3 to 4 hours, including short breaks at the summit. Strong hikers moving continuously can finish closer to 2.5 hours, while a relaxed pace with photography stops may approach 4 hours.

Do you need a car to hike Augstmatthorn from Lombachalp?

In practical terms, it is preferable.

The trailhead is located at Lombachalp above Habkern, and while buses connect Interlaken to Habkern, onward service to Lombachalp has a limited timeschedule. For most visitors, renting a car is the most efficient way to reach the trailhead.

Is the road to Lombachalp dangerous?

The road is paved and maintained, but the final stretch narrows into a single-lane alpine road with designated passing bays. Drivers must be comfortable navigating narrow mountain roads and yielding at pull-outs. Traffic moves slowly, and local drivers are accustomed to sharing the road. The drive from Interlaken typically takes 25 minutes under normal conditions.

Is Augstmatthorn crowded?

Compared to heavily marketed hikes near Interlaken, Augstmatthorn sees low to moderate traffic. I completed the hike in the middle of August, starting at 9:00, and saw no more than a dozen hikers departing at the same time. By the time I was back around 12:00, the parking was almost full, and I could see numerous groups of hikers starting the ascent.

Can you see ibex on Augstmatthorn?

Yes. The Augstmatthorn and Brienzergrat area is known for alpine ibex populations. Sightings are common along the ridge, particularly in the early morning or late afternoon. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed (personally, I wasn’t lucky), but this area has one of the more reliable ibex habitats in the region.