Our tip: If overnight in Interlaken then you can go directly to Interlaken’s local mountain, the Harder Kulm, have a good meal then proceed to ascend in the evenings. Another St.’s insider’s trick is the St. Beatus Caves near Lake Thun to rejoice only at attractive stactites and stactites in a different world if the weather is bad.
Interlaken: Between lakes and the Alps – a paradise for tourists
Interlaken is a destination for tourists in the canton of Bern offering a range of activities and attractions. As its name suggests Interlaken is situated between two lakes, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. The charming town features streets, historic buildings and cozy cafes and restaurants that are definitely worth discovering.
Interlaken Unterseen
Interlaken, a town nestled between two lakes and at the base of the renowned “Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau” mountains boasts a population of approximately 6,000. Known for its alpine charm and convenient transportation links, via rail and road this charming Bernese Oberland town has remained a destination, for travelers exploring Switzerland for years.
Around 65 hotels ranging from simple to luxurious are available to guests in Interlaken. The best-known hotel is the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa and the oldest is the Hotel Interlaken (since 1323).
Holiday resort Interlaken as the gateway to the Jungfrau Region
Jungfraujoch “Top of Europe” with Aletsch Glacier
In the 1800s travelers, like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Lord Byron and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy. Wrote about the stunning mountainous region of Interlaken.
During the part of the century Interlaken transformed into a popular destination for tourists. Its growth surged with the establishment of the Bernese Oberland Railways connecting to Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald in 1890 followed by the introduction of the Jungfrau Railway, in 1912.
As the “Gateway to the Jungfrau”, Interlaken is the ideal starting point for excursions into the unique mountain world of the Jungfrau Region. The white giants can be explored up close and in comfort by train. Insights into the fascinating world of glaciers can be gained on the Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe.
Interlaken’s local mountains are the Harder Kulm in the north and the Heimwehfluh (660 m) in the south:
Harder local mountain of Interlaken
Harder Kulm
The Harder Kulm is Interlaken’s local mountain and a vantage point at 1,321 meters. It can be reached by funicular or on foot. Once at the top, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Interlaken and the surrounding landscape.
Heimwehfluh
The Heimwehfluhbahn is a mountain railway that ascends to the Heimwehfluh peak at an elevation of 660 meters, to Interlaken.
Embark on a journey aboard the funicular railway to reach the picturesque observation tower offering breathtaking vistas of Interlaken, Lakes Thun and Brienz as well as the iconic peaks of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Upon reaching the summit visitors can enjoy a playground featuring attractions like a Tarzan train and hamster wheel. Additionally there’s a restaurant, a captivating model train display and the exhilarating toboggan run from mountain to valley—Switzerlands slide for an unforgettable experience.
Apart from exploring the Jungfrau region and Jungfraujoch Interlaken serves as a base for numerous other excursions.
With over 45 mountain railways, cable cars, chairlifts and ski lifts granting access, to 200 kilometers of ski slopes and an extensive network of hiking trails. Cruise ships ply the waters of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz including paddle steamers.
The following excursion destinations are available around Interlaken:
Jungfraujoch with Aletsch Glacier
Jungfraujoch
The Jungfraujoch is home to Europe’s highest railroad station at 3,454 meters. It offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers.
The Jungfraujoch is a connecting ridge between the mountains Jungfrau 4,158 meters and Mönch 4,107 meters. Right next to it is the Eiger mountain with a height of 3,967 meters. All three mountains together form the world-famous Jungfrau Massif.
Schilthorn
Schilthorn
The Schilthorn with an altitude of 2,970 meters is another breathtaking mountain peak in the Bernese Oberland region.
From the mountain village of Mürren, you can take the cable car up to the Schilthorn. It is famous for its viewing platform and the 360-degree panorama with the revolving restaurant “Piz Gloria”. The James Bond 007 film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” was shot on the Schilthorn in 1969.
Mürren
Mürren
Mürren is a car-free, quiet mountain village at 1,650 meters in the Jungfrau Region. It offers the most beautiful view of the four-thousand-metre Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains and is known for its outdoor activities and Alpine culture.
Mürren is the starting point for the trip to the Schilthorn.
Grindelwald
Grindelwald
Grindelwald at 1,034 meters is a picturesque mountain village at the foot of the Eiger. Many hiking trails and climbing tours start from here. In winter, many skiers and snowboarders come to Grindelwald.
Paragliding and mountain biking in Grindelwald are also very popular. The new “Eiger Express” aerial cableway runs from Grindelwald to the Eiger Glacier station.
The “Eiger Express” opened on December 5, 2020 and allows you to travel from Interlaken via Grindelwald to the Jungfraujoch in just one and a half hours. The Jungfrau Railway runs from the Eiger Glacier station to the Jungfraujoch.
Wengen
Wengen
Wengen is a very well-known winter sports resort at 1,274 meters. The village is car-free and can only be reached by train.
The World Cup ski race takes place on the Lauberhorn every year. But snowboarders of all abilities also love the steep downhill slopes in the region.
The Wengernalp Railway (WAB) runs over a distance of 19,114 meters and connects the villages of Lauterbrunnen, Wengen and Grindelwald with Kleine Scheidegg, which lies at an altitude of 2,061 meters above sea level. This makes the WAB the longest continuous cogwheel railroad in the world.
From Wengen, you can take the Wengernalp Railway to Kleine Scheidegg station and then the Jungfraujoch cogwheel railroad.
Beatus Caves
Beatus-Höhlen
The St. Beatus Caves on Lake Thun are located in the Niederhorn massif.
You can admire the stalactites and stalagmites in the fascinating underground world along a well-developed and illuminated one-kilometre path. They were formed over millions of years and offer a unique natural world underground in the stalactite cave.
Visitors can explore around one kilometer of the Niederhorn massif along a well-maintained and illuminated path. They will discover stalactites and stalagmites that have formed over millions of years and immerse themselves in this unique underworld.
Giessbach Falls on Lake Brienz
Giessbach Falls
The enchanting Giessbach waterfalls are situated within a picturesque wooded landscape, deriving their source from the high valleys of the Sägital-Faulhorn region. This captivating natural spectacle unfolds in a series of 14 cascading steps, gracefully descending over a remarkable height difference of 500 meters.
A charming footpath winds its way beneath the cascading waters, offering visitors an immersive experience as they stroll near the Grandhotel Giessbach. This scenic pathway allows you to appreciate the awe-inspiring beauty of the waterfalls up close, creating a memorable connection with the breathtaking surroundings.
Ballenberg Open-Air Museum
Ballenberg Open-Air Museum
The Ballenberg Open-Air Museum near Brienz is dedicated to preserving the traditional architecture, culture and way of life of the Swiss rural population. It exhibits 109 original historical buildings from all over Switzerland. Local farm animals, original gardens and fields can also be admired at the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum.
Traditional crafts are presented during demonstrations. The Ballenberg course center is integrated into this concept. In addition, the Ballenberg Landscape Theater stages a play in a historical setting every summer.
Blüemlisalp steamboat on Lake Thun
Lake Brienz with excursion boat
Lake Thun and Lake Brienz
Lake Thun and Lake Brienz are located on either side of Interlaken. Lake Thun is a fjord lake and is 17.5 km long, 3.5 km wide and 217 meters deep.
Lake Brienz is 14 km long, 2.8 km wide and 173 meters deep. The “Schnäggeninseli” in Lake Brienz lies 250 meters from the village of Iseltwald. There is a chapel and a barbecue area on it.
Video Harder Kulm Interlaken SWITZERLAND
INTERLAKEN is certainly one of the most visited places in Switzerland! Despite its fame, most visitors spend very little time in Interlaken itself. Instead, many travel to the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Thun, Brienz or up to the Jungfraujoch.
But… many people don’t seem to know that Interlaken itself has a great vantage point in the form of the Harder Kulm! From there you have the PERFECT PANORAMA over the world-famous Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains, as well as Lake Thun and Lake Brienz!
Information about local tourism: https://harder-kulm.interlaken-ticket…
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