Bernese Oberland
Interlaken — Adventure Capital★★
Interlaken is located — as the name suggests — between two lakes: Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. The town itself is less a sight than a base camp: From here, mountain railways, helicopters, paragliders, canyoning tours, and hikes start in all directions. The Höhematte, the large meadow in the center, offers the iconic view of the Jungfrau — a postcard motif when the Föhn wind blows.
★★ Höhematte & Jungfrau View
The 35-hectare meadow in the heart of Interlaken is the launch site for paragliders and the best place for the Jungfrau View. In the morning, when the sun illuminates the north face of the Jungfrau, the sight is unforgettable. In summer, paragliders land here by the minute — a spectacle for spectators.
Adventure Activities
Interlaken is the adrenaline capital of Switzerland:
- Paragliding: Tandem flights from 170 CHF (20–30 min., landing on the Höhematte)
- Canyoning: From 145 CHF (half-day, abseiling and jumping through gorges)
- Bungy Jumping: Stockhorn Bridge, 134 m, from 195 CHF
- Jetboat: On Lake Brienz, from 100 CHF (1 hour)
- Skydiving: Tandem jump from 4,000 m with an Alpine view, from 380 CHF
Arrival & Base
Interlaken has two train stations: Interlaken West (Lake Thun side, towards Bern) and Interlaken East (Lake Brienz side, transfer to Jungfraujoch, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen). The town is easily explored on foot — most hotels, restaurants, and shops are located on the Höheweg between the two stations (20-minute walk).
From Bern: 50 min., from Lucerne via Brünig Pass: 1:50h (scenically fantastic). All included in the Swiss Travel Pass.
Tipp
Interlaken is a base, not a destination — don't spend too many days here, but take advantage of the perfect connections: Jungfraujoch, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Brienz, and both lakes are reachable within 30–60 minutes. A centrally located hotel in Interlaken is the most efficient solution for the Bernese Oberland.
Jungfraujoch — Top of Europe★★★
The Jungfraujoch (3,454 m) is the highest railway station in Europe — and one of the most visited destinations in Switzerland. The journey there is an engineering masterpiece: The Jungfrau Railway traverses a 7 km long tunnel through the interior of the Eiger and Mönch. At the destination: a different world of ice, snow, and breathtaking panoramas.
★★★ Jungfraujoch
On the Jungfraujoch awaits you:
- Sphinx Observatory: The view over the Aletsch Glacier (UNESCO World Heritage, 23 km long, largest glacier in the Alps) is overwhelming. In clear weather, you can see as far as the Black Forest and the Vosges.
- Ice Palace: A labyrinth of tunnels and ice sculptures carved into the glacier — surreal and fascinating.
- Snow Fun Park: Sledding and snowshoeing on eternal snow — even in summer.
- Alpine Sensation: Multimedia exhibition on the history of the Jungfrau Railway (since 1912).
The Journey
From Interlaken East, the journey goes via Lauterbrunnen (or Grindelwald) and Kleine Scheidegg (2,061 m) to the Jungfraujoch. The Jungfrau Railway stops twice in the tunnel: at Eigerwand and Eismeer — through panoramic windows, you look directly at the legendary Eiger North Face and the glacier field.
Prices & Tips
| Ticket | Price (from Interlaken) |
|---|---|
| Normal price (return) | 214.80 CHF |
| With Swiss Travel Pass (50%) | 107.40 CHF |
| With Half-Fare Card (50%) | 107.40 CHF |
| Good Morning Ticket (before 8:33 from Interlaken) | from 155 CHF |
Tipp
Take the Good Morning Ticket (departure before 8:33 a.m.) — significantly cheaper and you are up before the crowds arrive. From 11 a.m., it gets busy. Alternatively: The new V-Bahn (Eiger Express Gondola from Grindelwald Terminal) takes you to the Eiger Glacier in 15 minutes — change there to the Jungfrau Railway. Faster and more modern.
Achtung
At 3,454 m, the air is thin — headaches, dizziness, and nausea are possible. Move slowly, drink plenty of water, and descend at the first symptoms. Sunscreen is a must: UV radiation is extreme at this altitude. Bring warm clothing — even in summer, it can be -10 °C!
Grindelwald & First★★★
Grindelwald is the most famous mountain village in the Bernese Oberland — nestled in a valley with a view of the Eiger North Face, one of the legendary pieces of rock in Alpine history. In summer, a hiking paradise, in winter a ski area with 160 km of slopes.
★★★ Grindelwald-First
The gondola to the First (2,168 m) is Grindelwald's top attraction — not because of the mountain, but because of the adventures at the top:
- First Cliff Walk: A panoramic walkway jutting out over the abyss from a rock face — ending in a viewing platform over nothing. Not for the faint-hearted!
- First Flyer: 800-meter zipline over the gorge (25 CHF, speeds up to 84 km/h)
- First Glider: A kind of flying eagle attraction (30 CHF)
- Mountain Cart: Ride down the mountain on tricycle carts (25 CHF)
- Trottibike: Downhill on kick scooters (25 CHF)
The hike from First to Bachalpsee (50 minutes, easy) is one of the most beautiful in Switzerland: The turquoise mountain lake perfectly reflects Schreckhorn and Wetterhorn in calm weather. The ultimate Instagram motif.
Gondola First: 65 CHF return (with Swiss Travel Pass 50%). Combo ticket with Cliff Walk, Flyer, Glider, Cart: 89 CHF. Daily 8:30–5 p.m. (summer). Hike to Bachalpsee: 50 min. one way, easy.
★★ Eiger Trail
The classic hike at the foot of the Eiger North Face: From the Eiger Glacier station to Kleine Scheidegg (2 hours, medium). You walk directly under the 1,800-meter-high north face — terrifyingly close. Information boards tell of the dramatic first ascent attempts. Fantastic!
Tipp
The hike to Bachalpsee is a must — but arrive before 10 a.m., then you will have the lake almost to yourself. From 11 a.m., the bus groups arrive. In perfect calm (usually in the morning), the reflection in the lake is as photogenic as hardly any other place in Switzerland.
Lauterbrunnen — Valley of 72 Waterfalls★★★
The Lauterbrunnen Valley is one of the most impressive glacial valleys in the Alps: A U-shaped valley with vertical, 300-meter-high rock walls, from which a total of 72 waterfalls cascade. Tolkien is said to have used it as a model for Rivendell — and you immediately understand why.
★★★ Staubbach Falls
Right in the village: The Staubbach falls freely 297 meters — one of the highest free-falling waterfalls in Europe. In the wind, it sprays like dust (hence the name). A path leads behind the waterfall — there you stand in a rock niche and look through the water veil into the valley. Goethe dedicated a poem to it.
Free access. Most impressive in June/July (snowmelt). Path behind the falls: 15 min. easy ascent.
★★★ Trümmelbach Falls
The world's only underground accessible glacier waterfalls: In a narrow rock gorge, ten cascades plunge up to 20,000 liters per second — the meltwater from Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. A tunnel lift takes you inside the mountain; the roar of the water and the raw power of nature are overwhelming. Raincoat recommended — you will get wet!
4 km south of Lauterbrunnen (bus or on foot). 11 CHF. April–November, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Visit duration: 45–60 min.
★★ Mürren
The car-free mountain village Mürren (1,650 m) perches on a terrace high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley — accessible only by cable car and mountain railway. Postcard Switzerland at its finest: wooden chalets, flower meadows, and the view of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau directly opposite. From Mürren, continue to the Schilthorn.
Tipp
Lauterbrunnen is one of the few places you should visit even in the rain: The waterfalls are most impressive then, and the clouds drifting through the narrow valley give the landscape a mystical atmosphere. Take the post bus into the valley (free with the Swiss Travel Pass) and get off at the Trümmelbach Falls.
Schilthorn — Piz Gloria★★
The Schilthorn (2,970 m) is the Bond fan among the mountains: At the summit stands the revolving restaurant Piz Gloria, where scenes for the James Bond film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" were filmed in 1969.
★★★ Schilthorn & Piz Gloria
The cable car from Mürren (or Stechelberg in the valley) takes you to the summit in 30 minutes. At the top: the revolving restaurant Piz Gloria (one rotation in 45 minutes) with a 360° panorama over 200 peaks, including Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau, Mont Blanc, and the Bernese Alps. The Bond World 007 experience showcases film props and scenes from the shoot. The Skyline Walk and the Thrill Walk platform (grating floor over the abyss) provide adrenaline.
Cable car from Stechelberg: 105 CHF return (with Swiss Travel Pass 50%). From Mürren: 79 CHF return. Revolving restaurant: Breakfast from 28 CHF (included in the Early Bird Ticket with mountain ride — only 85 CHF from Stechelberg!). Daily, first ride around 7:25 a.m.
Tipp
The Early Bird breakfast on the Schilthorn is one of the best experiences in Switzerland: For just 85 CHF (from Stechelberg), you get the mountain ride PLUS a breakfast buffet in the revolving restaurant — at 8 a.m., when you almost have the summit to yourself and the sun bathes the Alps in pink. Be sure to book in advance!
Lake Brienz & Lake Thun★★
The two lakes at the foot of Interlaken could not be more different — and both are worth a visit.
★★ Lake Brienz
The Lake Brienz is the wilder of the two: Turquoise glacier water (too cold for swimming!), steep shores, and little development. On the eastern shore lies the picturesque Brienz — famous for its woodcarving tradition. The Brienz Rothorn Railway (the only still operating steam cog railway in Switzerland, since 1892) rattles to the summit (2,350 m) — panorama over the lake and the Bernese Alps. 64 CHF return, with Swiss Travel Pass 50%.
★★ Giessbach Falls
The Giessbach Falls cascade over 500 meters in 14 cascades into Lake Brienz — most impressive when viewed from above. The historic Grandhotel Giessbach (1875) towers directly next to the falls — a cup of coffee on the terrace with the sound of the waterfall in your ears is unforgettable. Accessible by boat from Brienz + Europe's oldest funicular.
★★ Lake Thun
The Lake Thun is gentler and warmer: Up to 22 °C in summer, ideal for swimming. The town of Thun on the northern shore has a charming old town with Thun Castle (museum, 10 CHF, view of the lake and mountains). On the southern shore: the castles of Spiez and Oberhofen — postcard motifs with lake and Alpine backdrop. Boat trips on both lakes: Included in the Swiss Travel Pass!
Tipp
The boat trip from Interlaken to Brienz (1:15 hours) is one of the most beautiful boat rides in Switzerland — turquoise water, steep mountains, absolute silence. In Brienz, visit the Jobin woodcarving workshop (free demonstration) and take the steam train to the Rothorn. A complete day program, almost free with the Swiss Travel Pass.
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