Ever dreamed of ascending the world’s longest staircase? A travel YouTuber recently embarked on this intimidating challenge in Switzerland and climbed the Niesen Stairway, which follows alongside the Niesenbahn funicular railway and is a Guinness World Record holder. Nicknamed Switzerland’s Pyramid because of its inclining triangular profile, the stairway features an eye-popping 11,674 steps over 3.4 kilometers.
The hike started at dawn, as posted on an Instagram video by vlogger Tooleko. With excitement running high, he began the ascent but exhaustion set in early. “I walked faster than necessary,” he confessed, which left him winded after only 2,000 steps. The brisk pace also caused burning calves earlier than anticipated.
Despite the physical exhaustion, the vlogger was amazed by the beautiful Swiss scenery. Surrounded by green rolling hills, pine-clad mountains, and fresh alpine air, he absorbed the view of the majestic Swiss Alps rising in the distance.
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At 5,000 steps, he complained of sore feet but would not give up. When he exceeded the 10,000-step boundary, the summit was finally visible. At the summit, he was treated to a stunning panorama—alpine peaks covered with snow and vistas of ancient towns such as Spiez and Interlaken, all worth the grueling climb.
Social Media Reactions
The vlogger’s post quickly caught social media’s attention, sparking questions and commentary. One user asked, “Where is it? Is it possible to camp on the top?” Another chimed in, “Why is it that so many people on Instagram never give any information about location?”
Comparisons too: “Bro, I walked to Girnar (Gujarat, India) in my 10th standard and that too 10000 steps.” And worries: “And how the hell you descend afterwards !?!?”
Built between 1906 and 1910, the Niesen funicular and its associated service stairway were initially intended to move materials and people—not public trekking. But its massive size has since become a mass tourist interest.
The public is only allowed access to the stairway for a single exclusive event—the annual Niesen Treppenlauf stair race, one of the world’s most challenging vertical runs. The registrants have to register far in advance because the 1,669-metre climb is a challenge even for professional athletes.
