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Interlaken: Between Twin Lakes & Glacial Giants.

Nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, Interlaken serves as the gateway to the world-famous Eiger North Face, Lauterbrunnen’s 72 waterfalls, and Jungfraujoch.

Europe → Switzerland → Interlaken (City & Region)
Oberland Dossier

Interlaken Core Selection

Top 5 sites, adventure sports, mountain passes, and practical logistics.

Jungfraujoch observatory and snowy mountain top with glacier below Place 01 • 3,454m Altitude

1. Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe)

Europe’s highest railway station. Board the Eiger Express tricable gondola from Grindelwald to reach the Ice Palace, Sphinx Observatory, and the Great Aletsch Glacier.

Eiger Express Aletsch Glacier Sphinx Deck
Open 365 DaysUNESCO World Heritage
Jungfraujoch Ascent Protocol →
Harder Kulm two lakes bridge glass platform high above Interlaken Place 02 • Overlook

2. Harder Kulm (1,322m)

Interlaken’s local mountain. A steep 10-minute funicular ride brings you to the Two Lakes Bridge with a glass floor looking directly at Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.

Two Lakes Bridge Funicular Sunset Restaurant
CHF 34 Return50% off with Swiss Pass
Harder Kulm Funicular Info →
Turquoise water of Lake Brienz with ferry boat sailing past mountains Place 03 • Turquoise Water

3. Lake Brienz & Giessbach Falls

Intense turquoise glacial lake bordered by steep cliffs. Take the steamboat to Giessbach to see the 14-stage waterfall tumbling past the historic Grandhotel Giessbach.

Giessbach Falls Historic Steamer Iseltwald Pier
Free with Swiss PassBoat operates Apr–Oct
Lake Brienz Cruise Guide →
Lake Thun with castle on shore and mountain background Place 04 • Castles & Caves

4. Lake Thun & St. Beatus Caves

Deep blue counterpart to Lake Brienz. Explore Oberhofen Castle right over the water, followed by the subterranean stalactites and waterfalls of St. Beatus Caves.

Oberhofen Castle St. Beatus Caves Thun Old Town
Bus 21 from Interlaken WestDirect access
St. Beatus Caves Route →
Lauterbrunnen valley with Staubbach waterfall cascading off high cliffs Place 05 • 20 Mins by Train

5. Lauterbrunnen Valley (72 Waterfalls)

The real-life inspiration for Tolkien’s Rivendell. Marvel at Staubbach Falls plunging 300 meters into the valley floor, plus the glacial corkscrew of Trümmelbach Falls.

Staubbach Falls Trümmelbach Wengen Cogwheel
BOB Train from Interlaken Ost20-minute ride
Lauterbrunnen Valley Guide →
01

Tandem Paragliding Over Höhematte

Launch from Beatenberg at 1,350m and glide for 15 to 20 breathtaking minutes over Lake Thun and Lake Brienz before landing on the manicured lawns of Interlaken's Höhematte park.

Paragliding Launch Guide →
02

Grindelwald First Cliff Walk by Tissot

Walk out onto a single-rope suspension bridge perched 45 meters above sheer rock faces with a 40-meter glass viewing walkway projecting into void space.

First Cliff Walk Access →
03

Kayaking on the Glass Waters of Lake Brienz

Paddle sea kayaks in Bönigen past 12th-century Ringgenberg castle ruins and sheer limestone cliffs dipping straight into glacial-melt waters.

Brienz Kayak Routes →
04

Schilthorn – Piz Gloria (007 James Bond Peak)

Ascend by cable car to 2,970m to the revolving restaurant featured in 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service', complete with the dramatic thrill walk around sheer cliffs at Birg.

Schilthorn Peak Details →
05

Traditional Woodcarver Workshop in Brienz

Visit the lakeside hamlet of Brienz, renowned since the 18th century as the woodcarving capital of Switzerland, and visit the Swiss Woodcarving Museum.

Brienz Workshop Tour →

High Alpine Excursions from Interlaken

Interlaken Ost is the primary hub connecting two mountain train branches into the Bernese Alps:

  • Branch 1 (Grindelwald): Access to Eiger Glacier, Grindelwald-First, Bachalpsee alpine lake hike, and the Männlichen panoramic trail.
  • Branch 2 (Lauterbrunnen): Access to car-free alpine villages of Wengen and Mürren, Gimmelwald, and the Schilthorn cable cars.
  • Lake Thun Branch: Direct trains to the historic market town of Thun with its 12th-century castle and Spiez vineyard bay.
View Detailed Peak Dispatches →
System Details Recommendation
Train Stations Interlaken Ost vs. Interlaken West Interlaken Ost connects to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Brienz, and Lucerne. Interlaken West is closer to downtown hotels and Lake Thun ferries.
Guest Card Interlaken Free with any hotel/hostel stay Provides free public bus transportation in Zone 80 (Interlaken, Matten, Unterseen) and discounts to local attractions.
Jungfrau Travel Pass 3 to 8 Days Consecutive Ideal if spending 3+ days exclusively in Grindelwald, Wengen, Mürren, and taking multiple mountain gondolas.