The longest staircase in the world run alongside the Niesen Railway, a historic 2.17 mile long funicular railway in Switzerland that climbs the pyramid-shaped Niesen mountain in the Bernese Oberland.
The massive staircase is for maintenance and emergency situations so for safety reasons and to protect the infrastructure, access to the stairs is prohibited at all times except for one day a year in June when it opens for one of the most extreme foot races ever concocted, The Stairway-Run.
The race is a relay begins at the valley station in Mülenen, located at 2,274 feet above sea level. The 1.3-mile staircase route in the lower section climbs 3,202 feet in elevation and must be completed within one hour. At the Schwandegg middle station, at 5,476 feet above sea level, the route changes and the second runner takes over in the relay.
The second section is slightly shorter, covering 0.8 miles while climbing just under 2,297 feet. At the top station, runners cross the track and leave the stairs behind. The final stretch follows a paved panoramic path to the finish line on the summit platform, which sits at 7,749 feet above sea level.
Staircase Key Facts
- Location: Bernese Oberland, Switzerland (starting from Mülenen).
- Step count: 11,674 steps.
- Elevation gain: 1,669 meters (5,476 ft).
- Maximum gradient: 68%.
To be clear, you don’t have to be a stairway racer to experience the Niesenbahn. Visitors can ride the historic funicular from Mülenen up the slopes of the Niesen and enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding Bernese Alps along the way. The journey takes you to the summit, where a panoramic terrace offers breathtaking views across the Swiss Alps, Lake Thun and the surrounding valleys. More information HERE.
