Beyond the City: Day Hikes from Bern to Discover the Swiss Alps Magic

First things first—as a lifelong bus driver, I feel duty-bound to tell you that Swiss public transport is what we in the industry call 'proper mint.' The Swiss have engineered a system so precise you could set your watch by it, which makes day-tripping from Bern an absolute doddle.

Bern's main station (Hauptbahnhof) is your gateway to the Alps. Trains depart regularly to mountain hubs like Thun, Interlaken, and Spiez, with connections to smaller villages nestled in the foothills. For families, I recommend getting the Swiss Half Fare Card if you're staying more than a few days. At about 120 CHF, it halves the cost of most transport tickets, including funiculars and cable cars. It's saved me hundreds over the years.

One time, I arrived at Bern station three minutes before departure and still managed to buy tickets, locate the platform, and board with time to spare. Try that in Sydney and you'd be laughed off the platform!

For those driving, car parks at trailheads fill early in summer, especially on weekends. Having spent my life watching people scramble for parking, trust this old bus driver—public transport is your friend here. Plus, many mountain buses have special racks for hiking gear and windows designed for sightseeing that'll have the kids glued to the glass as you wind up those mountain roads.

If you've got little ones with short legs or you're easing yourself into Swiss hiking, Gurten is your perfect starter mountain. Standing at a modest 858m, this green hill is practically in Bern's backyard and offers what I call a 'proper introduction' to Alpine views without the quad-burning ascent of higher peaks.

Jump on the #9 tram from Bern city center to Gurtenbahn station, then take the funicular railway up (half price with your Half Fare Card, remember). Once at the top, you'll find a cracking playground that'll keep the kids happy for hours, while you soak up panoramic views of Bern on one side and the snow-capped Alps on the other.

For a proper hike, follow the Planet Trail that circles the summit. It's about 6km of gentle terrain with informative signs about our solar system—educational and beautiful, the perfect combo for families. My sister's grandkids were convinced they'd hiked to Mars and back, and who was I to correct them?

Pack a picnic to save a few francs, but if you forget, the restaurant at the top serves decent fare. I'd recommend their rösti—reminds me of the chip butties we'd have on lunch breaks back in Liverpool, but posher.

Last summer, I witnessed something that sums up Swiss efficiency: a toddler dropped his ice cream near the summit, and within seconds, a staff member appeared with a replacement and cleaned up the mess. Try getting that service on Bondi Beach!

Now, if you've warmed up those legs on Gurten and are ready for something with a bit more oomph, let me introduce you to Niesen—the Swiss pyramid that's become my favorite day hike from Bern. At 2,362m, it's a proper mountain that delivers proper views, but remains accessible for families with older children.

From Bern, catch the train to Spiez (about 30 minutes), then connect to Mülenen where the Niesen funicular begins. Here's where it gets interesting—this funicular boasts the longest staircase in the world running alongside it, with 11,674 steps! Don't worry though, it's normally closed to the public except during special events. I once met a local who ran up it for charity—his legs looked like they belonged to a different species afterward.

For a fantastic day hike, take the funicular up (save your legs for the good bits) and follow the panoramic trail that loops around the summit. The 360-degree views of Lake Thun, the Bernese Oberland, and what feels like half of Switzerland are properly breathtaking. I've driven buses through 22 countries, and this view still ranks in my top five worldwide.

The trail is well-marked and takes about 2-3 hours at a leisurely pace with plenty of photo stops. For families with teens looking for more adventure, you can hike down from the summit to Mülenen. It's steep in places but manageable if you've got decent footwear.

Speaking of which, while you don't need technical gear, a good pair of hiking boots will make all the difference on these trails. After destroying my ankles with cheap boots in my younger days, I've learned that proper footwear is worth every penny—especially when you're responsible for getting the whole family down safely.

If there's one thing 35 years of bus driving taught me, it's how to spot the quiet routes that tourists overlook. Gantrisch Nature Park is exactly that—a hidden gem that's criminally undervisited despite being just 30km south of Bern.

Unlike the big-name Swiss destinations where you'll queue for photos, Gantrisch offers what I call 'breathing room hiking.' The landscape is a proper mix of rolling pre-Alpine hills, dense forests, and small peaks that top out around 2,000m.

From Bern, take the S6 train to Thurnen, then catch the PostBus to Gurnigelbad. The Swiss PostBus system is a marvel that makes this old bus driver proud—they'll get you to trailheads so remote you'd swear you were the first human to set foot there.

For families, I recommend the circular route from Gurnigelbad to Selibühl (1,750m). It's about 8km with 400m elevation gain—challenging enough to feel accomplished but manageable for kids from about 8 years up. The path winds through magical forests before opening to Alpine meadows dotted with wildflowers in summer. My niece's kids spent more time counting butterfly species than complaining about tired legs, which is the true measure of a successful family hike!

What makes Gantrisch special is the wildlife. I've spotted deer, marmots, and even a golden eagle during my hikes here. Bring a decent pair of binoculars to spot wildlife and examine distant peaks. After trying various pairs over the years, I've found these offer the best balance of quality and weight for family hiking.

There's a simple mountain restaurant at Gurnigel Pass serving hearty Swiss fare at prices that won't make you choke on your rösti. The homemade fruit pies remind me of my mum's Sunday baking—high praise from a Liverpudlian with standards!

If your family's got a taste for drama (the good kind, not the teenage door-slamming variety), then Stockhorn should be next on your list. This 2,190m peak juts out dramatically above Lake Thun, with cliffs that plummet almost vertically on one side—nature showing off, if you ask me.

From Bern, take the train to Spiez, then change for Erlenbach im Simmental. The cable car station is a short walk from there. Now, I'm not normally one for dangling from wires (give me a solid bus any day), but this two-stage cable car is a proper engineering marvel that had even this heights-wary driver admiring the views instead of counting the seconds to solid ground.

Once at the top, you've got options depending on your family's ability. The panorama trail around the summit is suitable for most ages and offers views that'll have your social media followers thinking you've gone professional with photography. For families with older kids looking for more adventure, the trail down to Oberstockenalp and then to the two mountain lakes (Oberstockensee and Hinterstockensee) makes for a perfect day hike.

These turquoise lakes nestled in Alpine meadows look like they've been Photoshopped by nature. My sister's grandkids spent hours skimming stones across the water while we adults simply sat and soaked in the kind of peace you can't find in cities.

For those staying overnight (which I highly recommend), the mountain hotel offers family rooms at reasonable rates. Waking up to sunrise over the Alps is something every child should experience at least once—it beats any iPad game hands down.

For hiking these more challenging trails, I'd recommend a good hiking daypack to carry extra layers, plenty of water, and snacks. After trying countless packs over the years, I've found this one hits the sweet spot for day hikes—comfortable enough that you forget it's there, but spacious enough for family essentials.

One word of warning from an old mountain hand: the weather at Stockhorn can change faster than bus schedules during a Liverpool football match. I've seen sunshine turn to thick fog in minutes, so always check forecasts and bring layers.

After decades of watching tourists board my bus in everything from flip-flops to full mountaineering gear (for city tours, mind you), I've developed a keen eye for practical packing. For these Swiss day hikes, you don't need technical gear, but you do need to be sensible.

First off, the weather in the Alps plays by its own rules. I've experienced four seasons in one day more times than I've had hot dinners. Layers are your best friend here. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer, add a warm mid-layer (fleece is perfect), and top with a waterproof jacket. For families, I always recommend a good rain jacket that won't break the bank but will keep everyone dry when those unexpected Alpine showers roll in.

Footwear is where you shouldn't cut corners. You don't need heavy mountaineering boots for these day hikes, but proper walking shoes with ankle support and grip will prevent the kind of blisters that can turn a happy family outing into a chorus of complaints. I learned this lesson the hard way on Niesen when my old trainers left me with blisters the size of 50p pieces.

For families, pack more snacks than you think you'll need. Swiss mountain restaurants, while excellent, charge prices that'll make your eyes water. I always bring a mix of chocolate (when in Switzerland!), nuts, dried fruit, and sandwiches. My special trick is freezing water bottles overnight—they keep your lunch cool and provide cold drinks throughout the day.

Navigation-wise, while trails are well-marked with the famous yellow Swiss signposts, I always download offline maps on my phone and carry a paper map as backup. Old habits from pre-GPS bus driving days die hard, but they've saved my bacon more than once when phone batteries die at the most inconvenient moments.

Speaking of which, a portable power bank is essential kit these days. Between taking photos, checking maps, and the kids' inevitable gaming sessions when they need a break, batteries drain faster than a Swiss fondue pot.

Lastly, don't forget sun protection. The Alpine sun is deceptively strong, especially at higher altitudes. I once returned from Stockhorn looking like I'd spent a week in the Australian outback rather than a day in Switzerland. Hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen are non-negotiable, even on cloudy days.