Interlaken is a small city in the Bernese Highlands Region of central Switzerland. Located between two Alpine Lakes (Brienzsee and Thun), Interlaken is a popular base camp for outdoor sports and travel in the surrounding Bernese Oberland Alps. Interlaken itself is a superb travel destination. Interlaken is one of the oldest tourist resorts in Switzerland, and it remains one of the most popular.
Interlaken is frequently traveled by adventure-seeking backpackers throughout the year. Interlaken is home to numerous backpacker-friendly hostels and companies that provide guided services in skydiving, canyoning, hang gliding, paragliding, and skiing. The town offers tourists a peaceful base from which to explore the surrounding areas by train or bus
PLACE TO TRAVEL
The Hoheweg - is Interlaken's main street which runs between Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost Railway Stations. On this street you will find souvenir shops. Have a look at the 150-year old Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel and don't miss the beautiful view of the famous snow-covered Jungfrau mountain from "Höhematte"
Unterseen - Unterseen is a small town near the Interlaken West train station. It's not as crowded as Interlaken and has several shops and bakeries (including a enormous Coop supermarket in which there is a large selection of groceries and chocolates). To get there, cross the bridge over the water near the train stop, walking in the direction facing away from Interlaken.
Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn - is a glaciated UNESCO World Heritage Site above Interlaken in the Bernese Alps.
Mystery Park - a paranormal-based theme park owned by Erich von Däniken, was closed in 2006 after three years because of financial difficulties but re-opened in 2009
Walks -Take a walk along the shores of lake of Thun (Thunersee) or lake of Brienz (Brienzersee). A nice 2h walk goes from West train station to "Neuhaus". It takes you along the Aare river and through the small but popular nature reserve Neuhaus at the lake of Thun. From Neuhaus you can take a bus or boat back to Interlaken.
WHAT TO DO
Adventure sports - A whole bunch of adrenaline sports are offered through Interlaken guide groups including paragliding, hang gliding, bungee jumping, canyoning, river rafting, rock climbing, etc. Outdoor Interlaken is on the main street in Matten. Another great option is Alpin Raft.
Hiking - There are plenty of great hikes in the Interlaken area. Popular near-by hikes include Harder mountain (mountain train 5 min. from Interlaken Ost station) and Schynige Platte (mountain train from Wilderswil).
Biking -Take an awesome mountainbike ride around the lake of Brienz( 4 hours) and visit the Giessbach waterfalls on the way. Alternatively, visit Lauterbrunnen by bike and look inside the Trümmelbach-Waterfalls (Trümmelbachfälle).
Swimming - You can swim both in the lakes of Brienz and Thun. The water in the lake of Thun is generally warmer (~20°C in July/August). A popular swimming area with showers, changing rooms, a restaurant, etc. is in Neuhaus. A real insider-tip is the beautiful "Burgseeli" in Ringgenberg-Goldswil. Burgseeli is a nature reserve, where water temperatures can reach up to 27°C and you can swim among ducks and water lilies. The natural lido offers a non-swimmers pool, paddling pool, children´s playground, restaurant, changing rooms, showers, etc.
Sailing - Lake Thun is quite popular for sailing. You can rent sail boats and book classes in Neuhaus.
Ski/Snowboard - Interlaken has good access to several skiing/snowboarding areas. The largest of them is the "Jungfrau winter sport region" which includes Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen, Grindelwald First and Mürren-Schilthorn. A day-pass costs sFr. 57.-/46.-/29.- (adults/youth/children). Beatenberg-Niederhorn and Habkern are two smaller, family-friendly ski areas with easy lifts and slopes for beginners.
Sledging - The best but also most challenging sledging is from the Faulhorn to Grindelwald. Take the first gondola cableway from Grindelwald and prepare for a beautiful but challenging, 2h-2 1/2h uphill hike to the Faulhorn. Enjoy the amazing view of the Alps from the Faulhorn peak before you sledge down to Grindelwald for 15km (!) on the longest sledging run in Europe. Alternatively, several sledging runs are accessible by bus/train: Bussalp-Grindelwald (8km), Eiger Run in Grindelwald (3km), Niederhorn-Beatenberg (7km), Suhlwald-Isenfluh and Habkern (4km).
Cross-country skiing - A beautiful and sunny cross-country area is in Aeschiried near Spiez (~1h by train/bus) where you have a great view on the lake of Thun. Good cross-country trails are also in Habkern/Lombach and Beatenberg.
Take a boat trip - Boats traveling the Thunersee leave from Interlaken West. If you go all the way to Thun, you will see many cute towns and beautiful buildings/small castles on your way (Spiez, Oberhofen). There is also a castle in Thun. Boats traveling the Brienzersee leave from Interlaken Ost. The water in the Brienzersee is a beautiful shade of turquoise. The boat is free if you have the Swiss rail pass.
Skydiving in Interlaken - Funrental Interlaken offers helicopter or plane jumps including 4000 meters in 40 seconds freefall jumps.
HOW TO REACH
By Train - Trains arrive frequently from Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Berne and Luzern. Connection at Spiez provides access to canton Valais and to Italy via Lotschberg and Simplon tunnels.
There are two stations: Interlaken Ost (east) and Interlaken West, the latter is closer to the city centre. Most trains stop at both stations, except for trains to Luzern and the trains to Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald which stop only at Ost station.
By bus - Bus2alps operates direct private bus's from Florence, Rome, Paris and Munich to Interlaken. Timetables do vary but are busiest in February and March to cater for winter sport activities. Travel and accommodation packages are available and small and big groups are catered for.
