The Bernese Oberland, in the heart of Switzerland, is one of the most beautiful Alpine regions! This is what you will think after a stay in this magnificent region.

After strolling through the streets of Bern, the federal capital of Switzerland, and visiting its main attractions, it is time to head to the mountains. From Bern, head towards Thun and its lake, before diving into the valleys that carve out this high massif.

Close to Bern, the west of the Bernese Oberland

The western part of the Bernese Oberland is a region of gentle contrasts and alpine luxuriance, a world where sophistication meets natural splendor, from Gstaad to Kandersteg, a landscape that reveals itself like a well-kept secret, an invitation to wonder and discovery. Gstaad, with its worldly charm and luxury chalets, is a haven of greenery and elegance, a resort that has attracted stars and crowned heads with its unique blend of relaxation, sport and culture. Walks through its mountain pastures, hikes to accessible peaks and day trips to admire the panorama of the Diablerets glacier in the nearby Vaudois Alps offer an authentic alpine experience, where the beauty of nature can be savoured in an exceptional setting.

Not far away, the Simme Valley reveals hidden treasures, such as the Simmenfälle waterfalls, where water gushes with force against a backdrop of greenery and rock, a natural spectacle that captivates and inspires. Zweisimmen, the gateway to this valley, is a starting point for mountain adventures, where trails lead to breathtaking views and moments of tranquility in the heart of the Alps.

Further southeast, Adelboden stands proud, a municipality steeped in Alpine tradition, where gentle slopes invite walks and ski lifts open the door to breathtaking panoramas. The Engstligenalp, accessible by cable car, is a high Alpine plateau where waterfalls, pastures and surrounding peaks create a scene of breathtaking beauty, a perfect harmony between man and nature.

Kandersteg, nestled at the end of the Kander Valley, is an Alpine pearl, a village that has preserved its authenticity and charm. From there, the Oeschinensee, a mountain lake with emerald waters, is an unmissable excursion, a place where time seems to stand still, where the tranquility of the waters reflects the grandeur of the peaks. Access to the lake by a gentle climb or by cable car offers views that embrace the very essence of the Bernese Oberland, a world where the majesty of nature invites contemplation and adventure.

Interlaken, the Eiger, the Mönch and the Jungfrau: the heart of the Bernese Oberland

The following valleys have a single starting point, Interlaken, a historic resort town (and mountaineers' base) ideally located between the Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.

With its deep valleys and soaring peaks, this central part of the Bernese Oberland is a land of legends, a space where grandiose nature intertwines with the history of mountaineering and the stories immortalized by cinema. This alpine landscape, where every mountain, every glacier tells a story of adventure and conquest, is a sanctuary for adventurous souls, a place where past and present meet in a spectacular embrace.

The Lauterbrunnen Valley, with its 72 roaring waterfalls, is a fairytale world that seems to have come straight out of a fairy tale. It is here that mountaineering has written some of its most beautiful pages, attracting mountain enthusiasts from all over the world. A must-do excursion from Lauterbrunnen is the climb to the Schilthorn, made famous by the James Bond film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”. The summit offers a 360-degree panorama of the Bernese Alps, a spectacular view that takes in the iconic trio of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. This same valley provides access to Mürren and Wengen.

Mürren, a car-free resort facing the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau massif, can be reached by cable car or a small train: this resort is a marvel. Opposite is Wengen, an elite ski resort on the Kleine Scheidegg railway line, which shares its ski area with Grindelwald.

In the next valley, Grindelwald reveals itself, nestled at the foot of the imposing Eiger. The starting point for many expeditions to the surrounding peaks, Grindelwald is an invitation to adventure, where cable cars and mountain railways open the way to breathtaking Alpine landscapes. An excursion to the First offers breathtaking views and activities for everyone, from paragliding to hiking along the ridges, offering an unforgettable natural spectacle.

And Sherlock Holmes in all this?

Further south, the Haslital valley opens up to a more tranquil world, where nature and culture blend harmoniously. Meiringen, famous for its links with Sherlock Holmes and meringues, is also the starting point for exploring the Grimsel Pass, a spectacular alpine road that offers views of wild beauty. The Aareschlucht, an impressive gorge carved by the Aare River, is a fascinating excursion, a path through narrow cliffs where water has sculpted the stone over the millennia. In this same massif, another wonder is hidden, the Rosenlauital.

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The great lakes in the heart of the Bernese Oberland.

Whether from the Beatenberg lookout point above Lake Thun or from the Brienzer Rothorn lookout point above Lake Brienz, the landscape on the peaks of the Oberland is simply breathtaking. But you have to look further down. The two lakes, Thun and Brienz, whose colours change with the weather, invite you to walk and explore. Small villages and small castles, including the very famous Iseltwald made popular by a South Korean television series, follow one another on the green banks of the lakes.

In summer, swimming is a must. Whether you are in the city of Thun with its intact medieval charm, in Interlaken, witness to a Belle Epoque period where the mountain rhymed with aristocracy, or in Brienz, calmer and more typical, each of them is an ideal starting point for visiting the lakes and mountains of the Bernese Oberland.

Every valley, every mountain in the Bernese Oberland is a chapter in an open book of beauty and adventure. The region’s tourism history, marked by alpine exploits and cinematic moments, continues to seduce visitors in search of majestic landscapes and enriching experiences. From snow-capped peaks to lush green valleys, the Bernese Oberland is a celebration of alpine nature, a place where the past inspires the present, where every trail, every peak invites exploration, self-discovery in the heart of one of the most beautiful settings in the world.

 Activities not to be missed in the Bernese Oberland

  • Le Jungfrau train which from Wengen or Grindelwald takes you to jungfraujoch, in the middle of the glaciers! You absolutely must not miss this.
  • A stop at Kleine Scheidegg, to admire the north face of the Eiger
  • The board of First above Grindelwald
  • A silent stop in Mürren, a car-free village.
  • Lauterbrunnen Waterfalls
  • Discover James Bond's World from the top of one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the region: Schilthorn,
  • The cable car ride to the Male from Wengen
  • The green landscapes of postcards from adelboden
  • A stroll in the very chic Gstaad
  • An excursion to the lakes of Brienz and Thun, as well as to the pretty town from Interlaken

Discovering the Bernese Oberland on video

The best webcams in the Bernese Oberland

(click on the name of the village)

  • jungfraujoch : the webcam from the 3500m of the funicular arrival station.
  • Eiger: want to see the fearsome north face of the Eiger? Here it is!
  • The Jungfrau massif: from the top of the Kleine Scheidegg ski resort, the view of the three monsters: the ogre, the monk, and the young girl…
  • Harder Kulm: the Bernese Oberland massif, seen from the Harder Kulm, above Interlaken.
  • Schynige plate The view of the Bernese Oberland is a little wilder
  • Grindelwald First: delightful view of the Oberland landscapes.
  • Murren Schilthorn:a different view of the three monsters!
  • adelboden : very nice view of the village resort site
  • Lenk:the valley and mountains surrounding the village of Lenk
  • Gstaad: the Gstaad valley from the mountains

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