Day trips
Naturaly beauty, culture and adventure are written big in Switzerland
Located in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Interlaken is the perfect base to discover Switzerland.
Nestled between two lakes at the foot of the Swiss Alps, Interlaken is the ideal starting point for a range of day trips and activities. You can choose from countless options in the breathtaking Jungfrau Region and surrounding areas – and they all reachable within an hours drive. Thanks to its excellent public transport network you may travel also by train, bus, cable car, cog railway or ship to your destination. The immediate vicinity of Interlaken has it all – easy walks, stunning hikes, unforgettable paragliding flights, challenging mountainbiking trails, extreme mountaineering, swimming in one of the many lakes or just relaxing at the top of a mountain with amazing views.
Its central location makes Interlaken also the perfect base from which to explore Switzerland by car or train. The beautiful cities of Berne and Lucerne are reachable within an hour, the finance capital Zurich within two hours and the international Geneva within three hours.
Even in Winter, Interlaken and it’s numerous local ski regions is an attractive destination. To the nearby ski areas of the Jungfrau Region (Grindelwald, Wengen, Mürren) as well as to Beatenberg, Axalp and Hasliberg you get within 30 minutes by car, bus or train. They offer everything from school slopes to hardcore black runs. All of the above mentioned regions have ski schools and in many cases, supervised day care for small children. Furthermore there are plentiful opportunities for sledding, cross-country skiing, hiking and snowshoe trekking. There is a large selection of local mountain-guides and ski instructors that offer attractive packages and private tours.
The Ballenberg Open-Air Museum: A great place where history becomes alive
Opening hours: Early April to the end of October, 10 am to 5 pm daily
Car: 25 minutes from Goldswil to Ballenberg
Public transport: 1 hour by bus and train
As an option you can combine the visit to Ballenberg with a boat ride on the lake of Brienz and a stop at the famous Giessbachfälle and its hotel. In that case you have to take a boat from Interlaken Ost to Brienz, with a stop over at the Giessbachfälle, and continue from Brienz by bus to Ballenberg. On the way home you catch the bus back to Brienz and from there by train back to Interlaken Ost.
Niederhorn: A hike with stunning views over the Swiss Alps
Opening hours: All year round, except for revision in early winter and spring, 8.20 am to 8.20 pm daily
Car: 30 minutes from Goldswil to the gondola station of Niederhornbahn in Beatenberg
Public transport: 50 minutes by bus
Up Niederhorn there a various options (for more details check out their website). Our two favoured options are:
A gentle hike down to the middle station Vorsass, while you can enjoy the stunning views over the Swiss Alps and the lake of Thun. From there you can catch the gondola back down to Beatenberg or continue with trotti-bikes. Off course you can also hike the whole way down to Beatenberg.
Very scenic but longer and more strenous is the hike from Niederhorn down to Habkern. There is a good chance to spot ibex, mountain goats and marmots. From Habkern you can return to Interlaken by bus. This hike is only to be recommended if you go up to Beatenberg by bus, because otherwise you have to go back up to Beatenberg to fetch your car.
Hinterburgseeli: This woodcarving trail shows the art of woodcarvers
Open: From spring to autumn, depending on the weather
Car: 45 minutes from Goldswil to Axalp
Public transport: 1 ½ hours by bus and train
From Axalp you hike to the picturesque mountain lake Hinterburgseeli, which is a great spot for a swim (if you don’t mind cold water) and a picknick. On the way you can see over 100 figures, which woodcarvers from Brienz created, using trees which were damaged in the hurricane-force storm Lothar in the winter 1998/99. It is a great hike with kids because there is always the questions. Who is spotting the next figure first?
Blausee and Oeschinensee: An unforgettable day trip
Blausee opening hours: All year round, 9 am to 5 pm daily, from spring to autunm open until 9 pm
Oeschinensee opening hours: May to October, 9 am to 5 pm daily, for opening hours in winter check out their website
Car: 50 minutes from Goldswil to Blausee and another 10 minutes to Kandersteg
Public transport: 1 ½ hours to Blausee by bus and train and another 20 minutes by train to Kandersteg
This in one of our favourite day trip – with or without kids. Blausee is in the middle of a forest looking like one out of a fairy tale and its water is crystal clear. If you like to eat fish, it is a great place to enjoy trout from the Blausee. There is also a very nice playground for smaller children. From the Blausee you continue to Kandersteg, where you catch the gondola up to the Oeschinensee. A clear mountain lake where you can swim (if you don’t mind cold water), rent a rowing boat, walk along the shore of the lake and enjoy a picknick or relax on one of the terraces of the restaurants.
Schynige Platte – First: This spectacular hike is one of our favourites
Opening hours: May to October, 7.25 am to 4.45 pm daily
Car: 5 minutes from Goldswil to the trainstation Wilderswil
Public transport: 30 minutes by bus and train to the trainstation Wilderswil
At the trainstation Wilderswil you catch the historic train up to Schynige Platte. The 1 hour ride goes by fast while winding up the mountain and offering stunning views over the lakes of Thun and Brienz and the well known peaks Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau.
From Schynige Platte you hike via Faulhorn to First – beautiful flowers, changing landscapes and spectacular views over the Swiss Alps make this 5 hour hike so special. At First you can catch the gondola down to Grindelwald (the last gondola down is at 5 pm). From Grindelwald a train leaves to Wilderswil or Interlaken Ost every half an hour.
As an option you can also just go on the panoramic round walk on top of the Schynige Platte (approximately 1 hour), visit the Alpine Garden with its beautiful flowers and enjoy something to drink or to eat in the nostalgic decorated restaurant.
Lauterbrunnen valley: A breathtaking valley with vertical cliffs and waterfalls
Open: All year round, depending on the season you have different options
Car: 20 minutes from Goldswil to Lauterbrunnen
Public transport: 1 hour by bus and train to Lauterbrunnen
Once in Lauterbrunnen with its well known waterfall you have the following three options:
You can catch a gondola up to Grütschalp and from there a train to Winteregg. An easy one hour walk takes you to Mürren, a picturesque, car free mountain village. You can continue on foot down to Gimmelwald or by gondola up to Schilthorn. From Schilthorn, Mürren or Gimmelwald you can catch the gondola down to Stechelberg, which is a tiny village at the end of the Lauterbrunnen valley. The gondolas and trains run all year round and only close for revision in early winter and late spring.
You can walk from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg (approximately 1 hour) along the vertical cliffs and have a picknick somewhere along the river. It is also an ideal route for bicycles. On the way back there are the amazing Trümmelbachfälle – waterfalls coming down within a mountain (opening hours from April to November, 9 am to 5 pm daily). Back in Lauterbrunnen it is always worthwile to have some home made cakes, sandwiches or fruit juices at the Air Time Cafe.
You can continue by train from Lauterbrunnen up to Wengen, another car free mountain village or even further to Kleine Scheidegg.
Rosenlaui gorge: The power of water is shown impressively here
Opening hours: May and October, 10 am to 5 pm daily / June to September, 9 am to 6 pm
Car: 1 hour from Goldswil to the Rosenlaui gorge
Public transport: 1 h 50 minutes by bus and train
The drive up to the Rosenlaui gorge is spectacular. The narrow road takes you higher and higher until you get to a high plain, where colors just seem to explode: lush green fields full of mountain flowers, deep blue sky, peaks in an almost metalic color and the glazing white of the glaciar. The nostalgic hotel Rosenlaui is always worthwile a visit for coffee and cake. A little bit further is the entrance to the Rosenlaui gorge – this narrow, interestingly shaped gorge shows in a very impressive way, how the water found its way through the rock. When you get out of the gorge, a path is leading higher up where you find many beautiful spots for a picknick.
As an option you can go to the Rosenlaui gorge via Grindelwald. In Grindelwald a bus takes you right to the entrance of the Rosenlaui gorge or you can get out at Grosse Scheidegg and walk down to the gorge. It is an easy 2 hour hike. This option is not possible all year round, the start of the season depends on the weather.
Gelmerbahn: One of the most spectacular train rides
Opening hours: June to October, 9 am to 4 pm daily
Car: 1 hour from Goldswil to Handegg, from where the Gelmer funicular leaves
Public transport: approximately 1 hour 45 minutes by bus and train
Already the drive to Handegg is beautiful. This road leads to the Grimselpass and that whole area is striking with its colorful rocks and plants. The Gelmerbahn is with its gradient of maximum 106% the steepest funicular in Europe. It was built to transport the heavy construction materials for the Gelmer dam, but today it is open for hikers. In no time it takes you up to 1860 meter above sea level. On top you can walk around the turquoise colored lake and enjoy a picknick on its shore while overlooking the mountains.
Jungfraujoch – An impressive train ride to the top of Europe
Opening hours: All year round
Only reachable by train: 2 hours from Interaken to the top
The train rides through the Eiger Northface, starting in Interlaken at 566 m above lea level and going up to 3454 m, which makes it the highest trainstation in Europe. You overlook the impressive glacier «Aletschgletscher», part of the UNESCO world heritage site, and can visit the ice palace. You also have the possibility to walk to the Mönchsjochhütte (45 min) and enjoy the stunning beauty of this winter world.
On a beautiful day it gets very crowded, therefore catch the early morning train to avoid the crowds. You need 4 hours just to get up and down again. We recommend to go by train and do a round trip: Interlaken Ost-Lauterbrunnen-Wengen-Kleine Scheidegg-Jungfraujoch-Kleine Scheidegg-Grindelwald-Interlaken Ost.
Schilthorn: An amazing view over 200 peaks of the Swiss Alps
Opening hours: all year round, it only closes from middle of November to beginning of December and over a few days end of April
Car: 30 minutes from Goldswil to the gondola station in Stechelberg
Public transport: 1 hour by bus and train
If you are not into hiking but would like to enjoy some spectacular views, then Schilthorn is the right place for you. This 2970 m high peak offers a 360° view not only over Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau, but over an additional 200 peaks of the Swiss Alps – either from the terrace or in the turning restaurant. Schilthorn is easy accessible by gondolas within 32 minutes from Stechelberg and the ride is spectacular in itself.
Burgseeli – swim and chill after a great day out
Opening hours: Early May to middle of September. 9 am to 8 pm daily
Car: 2 minutes from Mountain View
On foot: 10 minutes from Mountain View
Burgseeli is the perfect place to end a day. The little lake is only 2 minutes by car or 10 minutes on foot from Mountain View. Its clear water reaches a steady 24°C in summer and is fantastic for a short or a long swim. For small children there is a pool and a playground. The restaurant offers simple but good meals or naturally you can enjoy a picknick somewhere on the grass overlooking the lake.
Bad weather tips
Beatushöhlen: Enter this fascinating underground world with a guided tour and enjoy its beauty. There is a museum, a restaurant and a playground. You can reach the caves by car or bus and they are open daily from middle of March until middle of November.
Trümmelbachfälle: Walk through a mountain while looking at thundering waterfalls. Wear a rain jacket because of the spray water and good shoes. The ground is slippery. You get there by car or public transport. Open daily from beginning of April to beginning of November.
Ballenberg: As nice as it is to visit Ballenberg on a beautiful day, it is also a good option on a rainy day. You can enter all the different houses and learn about old crafts, traditional lifestyles, plants and animals. A few restaurant offer traditional Swiss dishes and there is even a covered picknick area.
Boat trip to Thun: Catch the boat at Interlaken West to Thun. Visit the museum in the castle, go shopping and enjoy a drink or lunch in one of the countless restaurants along the river in the old town. Get back to Interlaken by boat, train or bus.
Bern: Visit the Swiss capital with its beautiful old town, the cathedral and the «Bundeshaus», where the Swiss Government is located. There are countless shops and a wide variety of restaurants. Every Tuesday and Saturday is market day on the Bärenplatz, the Bundesplatz and the neighbouring lanes (all year, 8 am to 5 pm).
Lucerne: Visit this beautiful town setting on the lake «Vierwaldstättersee». The river Reuss flows though the middle of the old town, which you can cross via bridges open just for pedestrians. There are also still parts of the city wall with its towers, from which you enjoy a great view over Lucerne. Every Tuesday and Saturday is market day (6 am to 1 pm) and every first Saturday of the month (April to December, 7 am to 4 pm) there is a craft market on «Weinmarkt».
Useful links
This is a short list of useful links of activities and day trips in the area within an hours drive from our holiday apartment Mountain View.
Sightseeing
Outdoor activities
Spectacular train rides
Cultural
- Ballenberg open-air museum (April to October)
- Tell Plays
- Jungfraupark (April to October)
- Alpine Garden
- Chocolate Show
- Kemmeriboden Bad
- Tropic House
- Thun Castle
- Spiez Castle
- Museum of transport
- Cities such as Bern (45 min. by car, 1 hour by train); Lucerne (1 hour by car, 2 hours by train), Zurich (1½ hours by car, 2 hours by train)
Family
Mountain View Holiday Apartment
Hubelstrasse 4 / 3805 Goldswil /Interlaken / Switzerland
Phone +41 33 822 81 78 / Mobile +41 79 810 19 98 / info@mountain-view.ch / www.mountain-view.ch