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Immerse yourself in the enchanting heart of the Swiss Alps at Mannlichen, where breathtaking landscapes meet unforgettable family-friendly activities, creating memories that last a lifetime.
The Mannlichen Playground, nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps, stands out as a magical encounter, blending the thrill of outdoors with the charm of Swiss landscapes.
Exploring the world’s hidden gems on a semi-budget, my adventures have led me to remarkable destinations, making me passionate about sharing my experiences and travel wisdom.
My expertise in crafting memorable vacations without breaking the bank, combined with a deep respect for local cultures and environments, has empowered me to guide fellow adventurers toward experiences that resonate long after the trip ends.
That’s why the Mannlichen playground in Switzerland is a must-visit for every family. Its cow slide is truly incredible, and will give the kids (and adults!) an experience they won’t forget anytime soon – while you get to take in the impressive views of the Alps.
SBT Highlights
- Discover the Wonders of Mannlichen: Immerse in the playful allure of the Alpine Herdsman’s Playground, featuring an 8.5-meter high cow slide among other attractions, set against the stunning backdrop of the Swiss Alps.
- Access Made Easy: Learn the best ways to reach this paradise, whether by gondola, cable car, or a scenic hike, complemented by tips on utilizing the Berner-Oberland Pass for a comprehensive Jungfrau region experience.
- Travel Wisdom from an Adventurer: Gain insights from a seasoned traveler passionate about exploring the world’s hidden gems, offering expert advice on how to enjoy a memorable vacation in Mannlichen without overspending.
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Mannlichen Playground in Mannlichen, Switzerland
Are you looking for a unique family experience that will keep the kids entertained while giving parents a break? Look no further than the Mannlichen playground in Switzerland!
This amazing play paradise features an 8.5-meter-high cow slide! Explore what makes this playground special and why it is worth visiting for families with children.
Mannlichen (or Männlichen, or Maennlichen) is located in the Jungfrau region of the Swiss Alps.
Mannlichen Playground Features
We will, of course, get to the cow slide. But first, the official name of this Swiss Alpine playground is the “Alpine Herdsman’s Playground.” Its motto is “where kids are kings.”
The playground is built around an oversized cow sculpture that stands 8.5 meters high (which is almost 28 feet!) and offers children (and adults!) the chance to climb up inside and explore its interior, complete with a viewing platform and even a slide!
It also includes many other creative sculptures made of wood, steel, and rope, including nets and swings.
Cow Slide
Okay, let’s get to the cow slide! It’s the main reason we decided to check out Mannlichen on one of our day trips in the Interlaken region.
The nearly 28-foot animal sculpture is the playground’s centerpiece and its main attraction. Kids will love to climb up inside the cow, explore its interior, and of course go down the slide at the end! Yes, climb through the inside of the cow and slide out its mouth!
The slide is tall enough for adults to join in on the fun – so parents won’t have to miss out on all the excitement! Our whole family enjoyed going down the slide. It’s the perfect place to act like a kid! You can even climb up to the top of the cow to a panoramic viewing area!
Small Trampolines
In several places around the cow slide, you’ll find ground-level mini trampolines that are great for kids of any age to jump and play on.
Seesaw & Swings
Around the playground, you’ll find a low seesaw and a couple swings.
Swinging Rope Hammock
Made for both play and relaxation, this rope hammock is a great addition to the playground.
Balancing Course
Balance your way around the center of the playground on this challenging course, which features logs, ropes, and ladders.
Spinning Barrel
Think Disneyland’s Mad Tea Party ride, but in the Swiss Alps in a wooden barrel.
Bowling
There’s even a single-lane bowling alley made of wood! It’s a summer season staple!
How to Get to the Mannlichen Playground
There are several ways to reach the Mannlichen playground, but some are more strenuous than others!
Buy a Berner-Oberland Pass
The Berner-Oberland Pass is your ticket to all the fun in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland! It’s a great way to get around, since it includes most trains, cable cars, and other mountain railroads and railways in the area.
Choose from 3, 4, 6, 8, or 10 days. No need to think about buying one-way or round trip tickets. Just show your pass, and make your way to Mannlichen! It’s the best way to go!
Gondola from Grindelwald
The 10-seat modern gondolas between Grindelwald village and Mannlichen were installed in 2019. They are fancy! The comfortable cabin will take you from the modern facilities of Grindelwald Terminal to Mannlichen (a little over 6.2 km) in about 19 minutes!
On your way, you can spy the Lieselotte Trail and, of course, the views for miles!
Best of all, this gondola ride is included on the Bernese Oberland Pass!
As soon as you step out of the gondola building at Mannlichen, you’re right in front of the cow slide!
Cable Car from Wengen
On the other side of Mannlichen lies Wengen. A separate modern cable car system runs between Wengen and Mannlichen.
Called the Royal Ride, you can pay a small fee (extra 5 EUR each) to actually ride on the “crown” on the top of the cable car cabin!
This cable car ride (riding inside the cabin) is also included on the Berner-Oberland Pass!
Hike Up
You could, of course, choose to hike up to Mannlichen, if you’ve got the time and stamina!
I won’t give too many details here, since we didn’t have either the time or the stamina for a long hike uphill. But, you could technically hike up to Mannlichen from Grindelwald, Wengen (Chamois Trail), or Kleine Scheidegg (Panorama Trail).
I do recommend the hike between Mannlichen and Kleine Scheidegg (see a little further on in this post), but you should take it on in the opposite direction. The ideal starting point is Mannlichen.
Other Things to Do at Mannlichen Switzerland
Besides the playground, there are several other things to do at Mannlichen. Seems hard to believe, given that there’s a cow slide there!
Royal Walk
The Royal Walk is 1 km up to the Männlichen summit (also called Gipfel) and, therefore, 1 km back down. The ascent is estimated at 25 minutes, and the descent is around 15 minutes. You can enjoy stations with interesting facts along the way.
At the mountain peak, you will find a 360-degree viewing platform shaped like a giant crown, continuing the “royal” theme. Take in the best views all around, including the ever-present Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau peaks, as well as the Lauterbrunnen valley.
Berghaus
Need a bite to eat while up at Mannlichen? Check out Berghaus Männlichen. This restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating, making it the perfect spot for a break after all that running around!
Enjoy a meal on the terrace at the full-service restaurant, or grab a snack from the self-service area. Care for some Swiss specialties like raclette or rosti? Berghaus has it!
If you’re looking for a guest house, Berghaus also happens to be a mountain inn, so you can even spend the night in Mannlichen!
Fondue Backpack
Ever heard of a fondue backpack? Well, now you have!
Wengen offers Fondue Backpack rentals. For just an equipment deposit and reasonable price per serving, you can rent your own backpack with a mini fondue pot, cheese, and all the necessary utensils. Just pick up your supplies and head off on a hike for a fun and delicious adventure!
Lieselotte Trail
Follow Lieselotte the cow’s adventures on the Lieselotte Trail. Beginning at Mannlichen and following a downhill path to Holenstein (the intermediate cable car station between Mannlichen and Grindelwald), the trail takes about 1 hour, 30 minutes (3.5 km one-way).
The path is well-marked, with sculptures of Lieselotte along the way to keep you company! On the way, there are 13 stations, including Swiss cow bells, alphorns, and a forest playground. Switzerland really outdoes themselves with these adventure trails!
You can spot wildflowers and other animals in their natural environment. It’s a great family outing!
Treetop Path (or Forest Playground)
Toward the end of the Lieselotte Trail is the Treetop Path, or Forest Playground. Near the Holenstein middle cable car station, the play area includes four viewing platforms connected by bridges. There are also built-in binoculars, a spiral slide, and picnic tables.
Apple Fritter Trail
For those who want to do a longer hike, the Apple Fritter Trail (or Apfelküchliweg) is worth considering. This 4.7 km one-way begins at Holenstein (where the Lieselotte Trail leaves off) and descends to Brandegg.
As with the Lieselotte Trail, there are a variety of stations along the way to keep everyone engaged and interested, as you figure out how an apple turns into an apple fritter!
Hike from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg (Panorama Trail)
In just about 1 hour, 20 minutes you can hike from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg. While the distance is approximately 4.5 km, you’ll be walking downhill most of the way. This relatively easy hike is even doable with an all-terrain stroller.
This hiking trail is called the Panorama Trail, because you’ll be headed south, facing the spectacular views of the magnificent peaks and glaciers. Don’t miss this chance to take it all in!
More Summer Season Fun
Other summer season activities at Mannlichen include:
- Mountain Spring Festival (including yodelling and alphorns)
- National Costume Festival (traditional Swiss clothing & folk music)
- Alphorn Festival (dozens of alphorn players!)
Winter Season Activities
Winter brings an entirely different set of activities to Mannlichen.
The views are the same, just covered in white. Mannlichen is definitely included as well-known among the ski resorts of the area. Ski and snowboard runs range from easy, medium, and difficult, to “downhill” (probably Swiss for Olympic-level skiing!). There are also special winter hiking paths and dedicated sledge runs. Mannlichen even has a ski school for kids!
Berghaus Mannlichen is ready to serve you when you’re hungry in the winter time as well. Mannlichen is truly an all-season mountain playground in the Swiss Alps!
SBT Summary: Mannlichen Playground
Two words: COW SLIDE!
The Mannlichen playground in Switzerland is truly a unique and amazing play paradise. With its 8.5-meter high cow slide, the playground offers countless possibilities for children to explore and have fun!
From a swinging rope hammock, balancing course, spinning barrel, and even a bowling alley made of wood – there’s something for everyone at this delightful Alpine Herdsman’s Playground. Whether you choose to get here by gondola, cable car, or hike, it’ll be worth every second spent enjoying all that this wonderful destination has to offer!
Don’t forget to get your Berner-Oberland Pass so you can experience all the Jungfrau region has to offer!
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