Bernese Oberland
3
Day Itinerary •
Switzerland
Three days in the Bernese Oberland takes you into the heart of the greatest mountain landscape in Europe, from the iconic triple peak of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau above Grindelwald to the extraordinary car-free village of Murren perched on its cliff, the thundering Trummelbach Falls hidden inside a mountain, and the turquoise waters of Lake Brienz, the most beautiful lake in Switzerland. This route covers the essential Bernese Oberland. The Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe at 3,454 metres, the extraordinary Lauterbrunnen valley with its 72 waterfalls, the finest Alpine hiking above Grindelwald and Murren, and the charming lakeside towns of Interlaken and Brienz with its extraordinary woodcarving tradition.
Best Time To Visit
June to September or December to March
Getting There
Fly into Zurich or Bern, train to Interlaken Ost
Getting Around
Train and cable car throughout, no car needed
Budget Per Day
Approx 150 to 250 CHF per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, walking and mountain railways
DAY 1
INTERLAKEN AND JUNGFRAUJOCH
MORNING
JUNGFRAUJOCH, THE TOP OF EUROPE
The Jungfraujoch at 3,454 metres is the highest railway station in Europe, reached by the extraordinary cogwheel Jungfrau Railway from Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen. The Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps, stretches away to the south in extraordinary scale. The Sphinx Observatory gives views across four countries. Book the first train at 8am for the clearest skies. Return ticket from Grindelwald approx 145 CHF. Travel: 30 min train back to Grindelwald
MIDDAY
GRINDELWALD, VILLAGE BENEATH THE EIGER
Grindelwald is the finest mountain village in the Bernese Oberland, its extraordinary position directly beneath the north face of the Eiger making every street corner a postcard. The Eiger north face, first climbed in 1938 after years of fatal attempts, is one of the great sights of the Alps. Walk the village, visit the local cheese dairy, and take the First Gondola for the extraordinary Cliff Walk along the ridge above the village. Travel: 45 min train and cable car to Murren
AFTERNOON
MURREN, THE CAR-FREE CLIFFTOP VILLAGE
Murren sits on a shelf of cliff above the Lauterbrunnen valley with the extraordinary panorama of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau directly opposite. The village is entirely car-free, reached only by cable car. The Schilthorn cable car above Murren gives the extraordinary 360-degree Piz Gloria panorama used in the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Entry to Schilthorn approx 104 CHF.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Bachalpsee lake above Grindelwald First is the most extraordinary mountain lake in the Bernese Oberland. A 1-hour walk from the top of the First cable car gives the extraordinary reflection of the Wetterhorn and Schreckhorn in the still water. Free once you have the cable car ticket.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Grindelwald Coffee before the first Jungfraujoch train. The bakeries open at 7am. | Lunch: Restaurant in Grindelwald Rosti with mountain cheese and a Appenzeller beer in the village. | Dinner: Eiger Guesthouse, Grindelwald Outstanding views of the north face. Zurcher Geschnetzeltes and local Bernese wine.
DAY 2
LAUTERBRUNNEN AND MURREN
MORNING
LAUTERBRUNNEN, THE VALLEY OF 72 WATERFALLS
The Lauterbrunnen valley is one of the great natural spectacles of Europe, a sheer-sided glacial trough with 72 waterfalls cascading from the cliffs on both sides. The Staubbach Falls at 297 metres are the finest free-falling waterfall in Switzerland, visible from the village. Trummelbach Falls inside the mountain, reached by a tunnel lift, carry the meltwater of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau glaciers through ten glacier waterfalls inside the rock. Entry to Trummelbach approx 14 CHF. Travel: 20 min cable car to Murren
MIDDAY
MURREN, HIKING THE NORTHFACE TRAIL
The Northface Trail from Murren to Gimmelwald is the finest intermediate hike in the Bernese Oberland, traversing the clifftop shelf with the extraordinary panorama of the Eiger north face directly opposite at the same altitude. The trail passes through flower meadows in summer with views over the entire Lauterbrunnen valley 800 metres below. The walk takes approximately 2.5 hours. No special equipment needed in summer. Travel: 30 min cable car and train to Interlaken
AFTERNOON
INTERLAKEN AND LAKE THUN
Interlaken sits between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz in an extraordinary position with the Jungfrau directly visible at the end of the Hohematte park. The boat across Lake Thun to the extraordinary Thun castle is the finest afternoon excursion from Interlaken. The Harder Kulm funicular gives the extraordinary Two Lakes panorama over both Thun and Brienz at sunset. Funicular approx 36 CHF return.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The village of Gimmelwald, one cable car below Murren, is the finest undiscovered village in the Bernese Oberland. No tourist shops, no crowds, just extraordinary old chalets on the cliff. Stay the night in the Mountain Hostel for the finest budget experience in the Alps.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Horner Pub, Lauterbrunnen Coffee and local bread before Trummelbach opens at 9am. | Lunch: Restaurant Allmendhubel, Murren Outstanding mountain restaurant above Murren. Local cheese and rosti. | Dinner: Restaurant Schuh, Interlaken Classic Bernese restaurant on the Hohematte. Bernese platter and local wine.
DAY 3
BRIENZ AND HARDER KULM
MORNING
LAKE BRIENZ AND BRIENZ VILLAGE
Lake Brienz is the most extraordinarily coloured lake in Switzerland, its turquoise water fed by glacial meltwater giving a colour unlike any other lake in the Alps. The boat from Interlaken Ost to Brienz takes 1 hour and passes through the extraordinary Giessbach Falls, which cascade directly into the lake beside the Belle Epoque Grand Hotel Giessbach. Brienz itself is the centre of Swiss woodcarving, its extraordinary tradition dating from the 18th century. The Swiss Open-Air Museum at Ballenberg near Brienz is the finest folk museum in Switzerland. Travel: 1 hour boat back to Interlaken
MIDDAY
HARDER KULM, THE TWO LAKES PANORAMA
The Harder Kulm at 1,322 metres above Interlaken gives the most extraordinary panorama in the region, the Two Lakes viewpoint looking simultaneously over Lake Thun and Lake Brienz with the Jungfrau directly behind. The funicular from Interlaken Ost takes 10 minutes. The extraordinary viewing platform extends over the cliff edge. The walk down through the forest takes approximately 45 minutes and is one of the finest short descents in the Bernese Oberland. Travel: 30 min walk or funicular down
AFTERNOON
INTERLAKEN OLD TOWN AND DEPARTURE
The Hoheweg promenade in Interlaken with its extraordinary direct view of the Jungfrau is the finest town walk in the Bernese Oberland. The Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel is one of the great Belle Epoque hotels of Switzerland. The local chocolate and cheese shops on the Hoheweg carry the finest Swiss produce. The train back to Zurich or Bern takes approximately 2 hours on the extraordinary scenic route through the Bernese countryside.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Aare Gorge near Meiringen, 30 minutes from Interlaken, is one of the most extraordinary natural gorges in Switzerland, a 1.4km walk through a canyon just 1 metre wide in places. Entry approx 9 CHF. Meiringen is also the home of meringue, invented here in 1600, and the Reichenbach Falls where Sherlock Holmes fell.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Schuh, Interlaken Coffee on the Hoheweg with the Jungfrau directly ahead. | Lunch: Restaurant Giessbach Outstanding restaurant beside the falls at the Grand Hotel Giessbach. Local trout and Swiss wine. | Dinner: Restaurant du Theatre, Interlaken Classic Bernese cuisine on the last evening. Local veal and Fendant wine.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Interlaken, Nights 1 to 2 Hotel du Nord or Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel. Central for all routes. Approx 130 to 300 CHF. Grindelwald or Murren Stay in the mountains for sunrise on the Eiger. Approx 120 to 250 CHF per night.
Top Tips
1. Book the Jungfraujoch railway weeks ahead in summer. The first train up at 8am has the clearest skies.
2. Murren is car-free and only reachable by cable car. Stay the night for extraordinary sunrise on the Eiger.
3. The Swiss Travel Pass covers the boat across Lake Brienz to Brienz. The lake colour is extraordinary.
4. Trummelbach Falls inside the mountain are open until 5pm. Go early to beat the afternoon coach parties.
5. Grindelwald First cable car opens early. The First Cliff Walk along the ridge is free once you are up.
6. Buy a picnic in Interlaken and eat it above Murren. The finest free lunch in Switzerland.
Total Budget
150 to 250 CHF/day