GoldenPass Panoramic
Where the panoramic window is your movie screen
During the journey on the GoldenPass Panoramic the tradition-rich Bernese Oberland merges with the Mediterranean atmosphere of the French-speaking part of Switzerland. High panoramic windows allow travellers to immerse themselves in the diverse scenery – year-round. The GoldenPass Panoramic really lives up to its name: It leisurely moves from Zweisimmen in the Bernese Oberland towards Montreux, the fashionable city at the shores of Lake Geneva. Passing magnificent castles as well as peacefully grazing cattle en route, it finally crosses the German-French language border. On the last leg, it winds down the hill – and with the arrival at Montreux visitors become engrossed in the Mediterranean flair of the region.
Highlights along the GoldenPass Panoramic line
Zweisimmen
Here begins the journey through the tradition-rich Bernese Oberland and the Saanenland down to the French-speaking “Swiss Riviera”. The location is especially popular with hikers and winter sports enthusiasts: There are numerous hiking trails and many kilometres of ski slopes around this village of only roughly 3,000 inhabitants. Also, kick scooter, bicycle and mountain bike routes abound. On a side route of the MOB, guests reach the holiday resort Lenk i/S. with the waterfalls of the river Simme.
Glacier 3000
The glacier summit of Gstaad delights visitors with its impressive summit station designed by Mario Botta and the breathtaking Peak Walk by Tissot. This is a 107-metre-long suspension bridge spanning the abyss between two mountain peaks – at a dizzy height of 3,000 metres above sea level, no less. Visitors travel to Gstaad on the Panoramic and then change to the PostBus to Col du Pillon, the valley station of the Glacier 3000.
Gstaad
Known as the health resort of the rich and handsome, Gstaad impresses with beautifully decorated chalets and Alpine charms. The Niklaus Chapel and the railway viaduct are also well worth a visit. During the intermediate stop, you may even get a chance to stroll through the pedestrian zone, savour the view from the famous Palace Hotel while indulging in a cup of coffee and a piece of cake, or enjoy the aromatic sliced cheese at the traditional Restaurant Rössli.
Sir Yehudi Menuhin and Saanen
Saanen is located a mere five kilometres before the language border. In this tranquil little village, a great artist has left his mark: Sir Yehudi Menuhin. More than 60 years ago, the now late violinist and maestro founded the world-famous music festival “Gstaad Menuhin Festival & Academy”. It is entirely understandable that this highly gifted musician was made a citizen of honour of Saanen county.
Language border
On its way, the GoldenPass Panoramic crosses the German-French language border, colloquially dubbed the “Röstigraben” (“Rösti devide”, referring to the cultural differences between the German- and French-speaking parts of Switzerland). Between Saanen an Rougemont the GoldenPass MOB trains cross the bridge over the Grisch stream, which marks this distinctive language border. The landscape gradually changes from lush green pastures and hills to the Mediterranean flair of the “Swiss Riviera”.
Château-d’Oex
Locals mentally link this main town of the open valley “Pays-d’Enhaut” with the St.Donat church, the Alpine show dairy “Le Chalet” and hot air ballooning. In 1999, Bertrand Piccard and Bryan Jones started their first non-stop round-the-world flight in a hot air balloon in this town. Every year at the end of January, the international hot air balloon meeting takes place here. Châteaud’Oex is also the destination of the MOB Cheese train.
Reservoir “Lac de Vernex” and Grand Chalet Rossinière
Shortly before Rossinière station, a stately wood chalet with 113 windows towers on the right hand side. It counts among Switzerland’s greatest period buildings and is historically important: Even Victor Hugo once stayed – and penned part of his world-famous novel “Les Misérables” – here. On the left-hand side, the reservoir “Lac de Vernex” is an important source of electricity, part of which is sold to the railway lines. Here, the river Saane is being dammed for the first of five times.
Jaman Pass & Jaman Tunnel
Formerly, cheese was transported over the Jaman Pass and down to Vevey at the shores of Lake Geneva with the help of mules. The passage was long and arduous. When the stretch was due to be developed for the railway in the beginning of the 20th century, it was decided to cut a tunnel through the Jaman. The reason was obvious: Trains could not have negotiated the steep ascend to the pass without cogwheel drivetrain technology.
Les Avants
Les Avants is considered to be the home of the daffodils, also called “May snow” due to their flowering in the second half of May. In former times, the Swiss Riviera was popular as a “wintering area” during the cold months. Until today, families drive up the Sonloup in the “Funi” and use the streets, closed for traffic in winter, for sledging down into the valley.
Vineyards UNESCO & Fête des Vignerons.
They can be seen from the train windows from a distance: the vineyards of the Lavaux, protected by UNESCO. Especially at sunset, the combination of the lake waters and the south-facing slopes covered in vines is ravishingly beautiful. In 2019, the “Fête des Vignerons” (Festival of winegrowers) took place against the backdrop of this scenery. This homage to the culture of winemaking is only celebrated once every 20 years. It’s an event with spectacular performances and the honouring of the best winegrower.
Castles “Château Chillon” & “Château Châtelard”
As the GoldenPass Panoramic draws near to Lake Geneva, the magnificent Chillon Castle and Châtelard Castle come into view. The first can be accessed by land and water. For this reason, the castle served as a strategic check point for passengers between the northern and southern parts of Europe as far back as the 12th century. Today, its doors are open for interested visitors – especially for Swiss Travel Pass holders: The admission is included in the pass.
Montreux
In the mid-1800s, Montreux became very popular with affluent Brits, who loved to reside in the “Grand Hôtels” of those times. A piece of British culture has been preserved up to this day at Montreux: The successful rock band Queen produced six of its world-famous albums in the Mountain Studios at Lake Geneva. In memoriam of Freddy Mercury, a larger-than-life statue was erected in his honour. Also, for more than 50 years now, this musical town has organized the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival.
Rochers-de-Naye (2’042 a.s.l.)
Right in the middle of Montreux, the lower terminal of the cog railway up to the Rocher-de-Naye is located. The train leisurely passes charming heouss and splendid palaces, offering various views of Lake Geneva on its way to the summit. There, guests are greeted by whistling marmots in summertime – and by Father Christmas himself in winter. In the warmer months, a visit of the Alpine garden is of course a real must.
GoldenPass Belle Époque
The GoldenPass Belle Époque is more than just a train. The moment guests step in they feel like stepping back in time: The coaches are panelled in precious wood and adorned with gold-plated decorations. In softly upholstered seats, travellers enjoy the ride between Montreux and Zweisimmen in the style of the Orient Express. The Golden Pass Belle Époque does not require any surcharge and operates daily and year-round.
Cheese Train
Whether mild or spicy, creamy or hard – the Swiss love good cheese. The “Train du Fromage” (Cheese Train) takes a closer look at this most popular of dairy products – in Château-d’Oex and in the “Pays-d’Enhaut”. Once arrived, guests experience from up close how 200 litres of organic milk turn into tasty hard cheese. A delicious fondue afterwards is a matter of course.
Chocolate Train
A visit to Switzerland without a taste of its famous chocolate? Impossible. The Montreux-Berner Oberland Railway has dedicated a whole expedition to the most delicate temptation. Elegant Belle Époque Pullman coaches take guests from Montreux to Montbovon. After changing to the Chocolate bus, the journey continues to the show dairy “La Maison du Gruyère” and on to the little village of Gruyères. The crowning event: the visit to the Cailler (Nestlé) chocolate factory in Broc.
Facts & Figures
Zweisimmen–Montreux 2 h 08 min
■ Panoramic coaches 1st and 2nd class, air-conditioned
■ low-floor access and wheelchair-accessible toilet
365 days a year
All trains have scheduled stops at Zweisimmen–Saanenmöser–Schönried–Gstaad–
Saanen–Rougemont–Château-d’Oex–Montbovon–Les Avants–Chernex–Montreux.
The scheduled trains operating at hourly intervals halt at all remaining stops on request.
Seat reservation is not required but possible and recommended on the GoldenPass
Panoramic. Surcharge: CHF 9
| Ticket | Route & fares Zweisimmen–Montreux or vice versa |
| Swiss Travel Pass Swiss Travel Pass Flex Swiss Travel Pass Youth | included |
| Swiss Half Fare Card | CHF 16.50 in 2nd class CHF 29 in 1st class |
| Children 6 –15.99 years with Swiss Family Card | free of charge |
| Without discount | CHF 33 in 2nd class CHF 58 in 1st class |
| Eurail | included |
| Interrail | included |
All prices are subject to change.
■ Swiss Travel System points-of-sale worldwide:
info@pathikworld.com
■ Every railway station in Switzerland
■ Tickets for the Chocolate train, the Cheese train or Father Christmas at the Rochers-de-Naye
are also available.