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HARDER KULM, INTERLAKEN SWITZERLAND |
HARDER KULM, INTERLAKEN SWITZERLAND - What's on top When you've left the funicular near the summit, you'll see a structure that resembles a pagoda. This is the Harder Kulm Mountain Restaurant, which has a dining room for 100 guests and a sun terrace where another 80 visitors can enjoy meal, snacks, and drinks. If you aren't hungry or thirsty, no problem: Just head for the viewing terrace and enjoy nature's panorama. 
How to get there The valley station of the Harder Kulm funicular is just across the river from central Interlaken and the Interlaken Ost railway station. From the Höheweg (Interlaken's main street), head for the Beaurivage-Brücke and cross the bridge to the funicular. The funicular operates from May through late October, with departures from the valley station at 20- to 30-minute intervals from 8:10 a.m. (weekdays) or 9:10 a.m. (weekends) until 5:45 p.m. From the summit, the last funicular departs for the valley at 6 p.m. (6:30 p.m. in July and August). The trip takes 10 minutes. If you wish, you can buy a one-way ticket and walk back to Interlaken via marked hiking paths. 
Monster in a monk’s habit – The Hardermannli legend Take a good look at the Harder mountain from Interlakenand you will se a rok face with a man’s features,complete with moustache, prominent rose and two eyes- the Hardermannli (Harder Man).An old folk tale says that long ago , wandering monk met a local girl who was gathering wood high on the mountain. He started to follow her along the forest path. The girl ws so terrified tht she threw herself over the terribel , jagged cliff to her death far below . The monk was turned to stone by the celestial judge of mortal misdeeds, condemned to look down upon the scene of his crime for eternity . 
The Harder- Potschete Parade – 2nd January in Interlaken There is a “state of emergency “in Interlaken on Berchtold’s Day.The wicked Hardermannli and his wench have climbed down from the Harder mountain.Together with the Harder dwarfs and other figures of folklore , all wearing fearsome wooden masks, they drive out evil spirits from the streets. The masks of the harder Potschete are all made of wood and carved individually. The Hardermannli and his Wybli are regarded as main characters, these masks are shown only on 2 January itself .It is all in good fun, and the Harder-Potschete has now developed into a flourishing folk festival , a local tradition that has been kept alive since the Middle Ages .     |
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