Interlaken summer holidays

Holidays in Interlaken

The clue’s in the name with Interlaken: it’s situated between two fabulous lakes, the Thun and the Brienz. As well as being easy on the eye, the waters open up a multitude of activities like windsurfing, water-skiing and fishing. Looming overhead you can’t miss the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau peaks – home to some wonderful hiking routes. The famous ‘Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe’ train is a brilliant way to see over the Alps and inside the glacier. Back at base the vibe is chilled out and cheerful – party with the backpackers or explore the restaurants around town.

Highlights: • Water sports on the lakes • Amazing views from the Two-lake Footbridge • Excellent train connections

Interlaken Walking

The train is king in Switzerland and the Berner Oberland railway is the scenic line that runs from Interlaken to Grindelwald, connecting hikers to the Harder Klum, Schynige Platte and Jungfrau mountains. From Grindelwald, attempt the Schynige Platte to First trail: a challenging 15.8km hike that usually takes about 6 hours. You’ll get stunning panoramic views of the Brienzer Rothorn, Hohgang and Schrattenfluh peaks and in clear weather you can see the Black Forest. If you decide to hike to Harder Klum, take a break at the Two-lake footbridge which has some of the best views of the Thunersee and Brienzersee lakes. Sandwiched between both these lakes, the resort’s certainly not ‘laken’ in chilled walks along the water’s edge. Follow the Aare west to the Weissenau nature reserve on Lake Thun, while the town of Spiez (on Thun’s south shore) has a medieval castle and gardens to mooch around. Near Sundlauenen, the Historic Pilgrims’ Way enters into a 1km stretch through St. Beatus’ Caves – complete with giant natural halls of stalagmites and waterfalls. The ten glacier-waterfalls at Trummersbach are also worth the 3 hour trek - carrying 20,000 litres of water per second from the Jungfrau, Monch and Eiger, they’re a truly impressive sight and can be reached via tunnel-lift which takes you up inside the mountains.

Interlaken Cycling

As you’d expect, most of the good cycle routes here have something to do with the gorgeous lakes on either side of the town. The Berner-Oberland regional trail starts at Steffisberg, on the Thun’s shore and winds through stunning flowery meadows for 43km to end its first stage at Interlaken. The second half is our favourite - cycle up to the Grosse Scheidegg pass and on to Grindelwald – all under the towering trio: the Jungfrau, Eiger and Monch. It’s tough but rewarding, although there’s an easier 30km alternative along the banks of the Brienz and Aare for those who’re set on cycling to Meiringen but don’t fancy the hills. You could get a bit of a boost on those hills from an E-bike, instead – there are loads for hire in the area and the charging stations are common and well-signposted.

High above those routes, with the Thun way below, you’ll find the tenth stage of the Panorama Bike trail – the astonishing views of those famous lakes and mountains means it really lives up to its name. It’s a brilliant MTB ride that rises and dips all along the 44km from Habkern to Steffisberg. We love the Alpine Bike trail too; one stage finishes at Interlaken, cruising down from Kleine Scheidegg to the Lauterbrunnen Valley after a lung-busting rise at the base of the Eiger’s north face.

More Interlaken resources