Interlaken-Oberhasli

In the heart of Switzerland lies Interlaken, nestled between two of the largest lakes in the country. The larger of the two is Lake Thun which has numerous lidos and ferry connections such as the paddle steamer "Blüemlisalp". The lake is also a popular destination for water sports enthusiasts due to its prevailing climate. Worthwhile places to visit around the lake include the namesake town of Thun, Spiez Castle, and the St. Beatus Caves. The Panorama Rundweg Thunersee, which can be started from Interlaken, connects all destinations on a multi-day hike that stretches 63.75 km.

Lake Brienz is no less impressive. The mountains rise imposingly from the shore of its turquoise waters. Nature seems more untouched than on Lake Thun and offers unique opportunities for outdoor lovers and those seeking the tranquility of nature. Lake Brienz can also be navigated on a nostalgic paddle steamer that dates back to 1914.

The Giessbach waterfall on the southern shore of the lake consists of a total of 14 different tiers, from which the water plunges more than 500 meters. Right next to it is the famous Grand Hotel Giessbach, which can be reached by a funicular cable railroad.

Numerous water sports, hikes, and cycling routes invite you to discover the region around Interlaken during the summer. Beatenberg-Niederhorn, only about 10 km away from Interlaken, is an Mecca for paragliders. If you prefer to take things steady, the historic old town of Interlaken with its numerous restaurants invites you to take a leisurely stroll. Or you can take a comfortable ride in the horse-drawn carriages that are typical of the town. You can also canoe along the Aare River, which flows directly through the town center or spend the night at the campsite not far from the shore. 

The most famous mountain trio of the Swiss Alps rises spectacularly to the south of Interlaken. The Jungfrau (4,158 m) and the Mönch (4,158 m) are among the 48 four-thousand-meter peaks in Switzerland, the Eiger is only just below them at 3,970 m, but has the most spectacular face of the three mountains. The Eiger's North Face is still considered one of the greatest challenges in alpine mountaineering and radiates almost mystical energy. A masterpiece of architecture is the Jungfrau Railway. It has opened up the Jungfraujoch to public access for more than 100 years. The journey ends at the "Top of Europe", the highest railroad station in Europe at 3,454 meters above sea level.

For those who don't want to go quite so high, there is a glass viewing platform on the Harder Kulm with a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains, lakes, and the town of Interlaken. It can be reached quickly and easily using the Harderbahn. The attached panorama restaurant offers typical Swiss dishes and themed culinary evenings. The Harder Kulm is also an ideal starting point for hikes to neighboring mountains such as the Augstmatthorn. The route follows the Brienzergrat ridge and offers magnificent views. With a bit of luck, ibexes can be observed at the summit.

In winter, the region turns is a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts. With the Grindelwald-Wengen ski area, the Jungfrau region offers countless kilometers of slopes for every age group and level of experience. The ski area is especially known for the annual Lauberhorn downhill race in Wengen. The longest World Cup downhill is one of the classics in the World Cup calendar and attracts thousands of spectators to the piste. Snowboarders will also find excellent conditions in the ski area. Around 70 km of toboggan runs are available around Grindelwald alone and winter hikers can take numerous walks on the prepared winter hiking trails against the imposing backdrop of Jungfrau, Eiger, and Mönch. 

As part of the Oberland-Ost tourism region, the Interlaken tourist region has set itself the goal of becoming Switzerland's first CO2-neutral destination. This goal is being achieved through collaboration with local authorities and the business community to develop a number of different measures:

• Eco-friendly mobility: guest cards serve as a ticket for the local bus, the ski bus runs directly to the Jungfrau Ski Region
• Interlaken uses 100% green electricity and has been awarded the Energy City label since 2003.
• Participation in the Swisstainable Program of Swiss Tourism
• Support of the annual cultural landscape award
• Consistent use of reusable and depot systems at big events

If you want to reduce your own carbon footprint travel to Interlaken by train. The two train stations are well connected to the long-distance network. From Bern, Zurich, Geneva, and Basel you can travel to Interlaken every half hour. There are also first-class connections to a number of other European cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, and Frankfurt.