Mt. Niesen is in the Guiness Book of records - not because of its perfect pyramid shape but rather because of the 11,674 steps that make up the world"s longest staircase. The stairs are located right next to the funicular that goes to the summit of this 2,336-meter-high mountain. The stairs are not open to the public and are used by the personnel of the funicular - and a good thing it is, too, since climbing all of those stairs would probably take wind right out of most people's sails. That is why a trip with the nostalgic funicular dating back to 1910 is preferable. Deep down below one can glimpse Lakes Thun and Brienz, and from afar one can admire the triumvirate Mpunts Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. There are some rather steep hikes that lead one back down into the valley. Visitors who have a bit more time should spend the night atop the peak, at the Hotel Niesen Kulm: sundowns and sun-ups are wonderful sights, not to be missed.