There is soooooo much to see and do in this area; these are just a few of the options:
Trummelbach Falls
LauterbrunnenThe Trümmelbach Falls are the only glacial falls in the world which have been made accessible deep inside the mountain: a magnificent example of natural beauty. An underground funicular featuring the latest technology, which includes all sorts of tunnels, galleries and bridges makes accessible the 10 glacier-fed waterfalls inside the mountain. The raging Trümmelbach carries the waters of the three gigantic glaciers of Eiger, Mönch and jungfrau. It can carry up to 20,000 litres of water per second. Schilthorn Cable Car
The cable car from Stechelberg to the Lauterbrunnen Valley has travelled in four sections to the summit since 1967. And here the James Bond spirit is omnipresent, with the "Bond World 007" exhibition and introduction to the film shooting experienced still today at the revolving restaurant. Lake Brienz, Giessbach Falls and the village of Brienz
The regular boat service links all the little places around the lake on its route from the resort of Interlaken on the western side to the idyllic little town of Brienz in the east.Please click here for a map of the area. Another destination for a boat trip on Lake Brienz is the Giessbach Falls. Brienz
The picturesque village Brienz lies in a delightful mountain setting at the eastern end of Lake Brienz and its turquoise waters. Brienz is famous for its long tradition of woodcarving and to this day boasts a woodcarving school and a violin-making school. Brienz is also the starting point for excursions to the Ballenberg Open Air Museum and the Brienzer Rothorn. On the opposite side of the lake the Giessbach Falls with their thundering water masses are a stunning attraction. Giessbach Falls
The roaring waterfall thunders down 500 metres into the lake. Immediately beside it is the historic Grand hotel Giessbach, which looks like a fairy tale castle. The oldest funicular leads from the landing stage in Giessbacch straight up to the waterfall. Another popular excursion is to walk along the southern bank of Lake Brienz from Bönigen via Iseltwald to Giessbach. Brienzer Rothorn Railway
From Brienz, you can board the oldest steam train in Switzerland, the Brienzer Rothorn railway which takes you to the top of the Rothorn (235m). From here there is a lovely panoramic view of the lakes and mountain chain. Ballenberg Open Air Museum
Do you know how Swiss people lived a long time ago? Do you know how to carve wood, to weave baskets or to spin? How to burn charcoal? Have you ever seen how bread was baked in a coal-burning stove? How cheese is fabricated? Ballenberg shows you Switzerland as it once used to be. Rural life from bygone days makes a vivid impression with the more than 90 century-old buildings from all over Switzerland, 250 farmyard animals, historical gardens and fields, demonstrations of typical crafts and many special events. And they all make the Ballenberg a unique place. Lake Thun
The small town of Thun at the western end of the lake with the same name is the gateway to the Bernese Oberland. It boasts a medieval Old Town, a mighty castle and an attractive pedestrian zone. Lake boats sail Lake Thun all year round. In summer a magnificently restored historic paddle steamer plies the lake. On the sunny southern slopes between Thun and Merligen subtropical vegetation flourishes that has given the region the name the “Riviera of Lake Thun”. On the opposite side of the lake, in the Bay of Spiez, which is presided over by a beautiful castle, you will find small vineyards. Not to be missed are the twelve one-thousand-year-old Romanesque churches that dot the coastline, for example in Einigen. Oberhofen Castle, Lake Thun
The romantic castle with its impressive medieval keep and picturesque turret is situated on the shores of the beautiful Lake of Thun. Strolling through the various historic rooms of our museum, you get a vivid impression of noble Bernese lifestyle from the 16th to 19th century. You enter the elegant summer hall, the neogothic dining hall, and see amazing looking weapons in the armoury. You can imagine yourself attending a concert in the music salon and then ascending to the oriental smoking salon with its magnificent view onto the lake. The chapel, with its exceptional medieval 15th Century frescos, is still in use today for baptisms and weddings. Cabrio Bahn,
Mt. Stanserhorn, Lucerne The wind in your hair in a convertible-style cable car A new cable car system lets guests enjoy fresh air and great views around Mount Stanserhorn. The double-decker cable car has an open upper deck. Riding to the top of the 1,900-meter Mount Stanserhorn with the wind in your hair, the blue sky above you and a fantastic 360° panorama: that was the concept of the new cable car to replace the one from Kälti to Stanserhorn. A crazy idea? Maybe, but today we can see that it was a thoroughly viable one. The so-called “CabriO” cable car is the world’s first cable car with a roofless upper deck. The comfortable double-decker is the very latest in cable car technology. The lower level (with windows going almost from wall-to-wall) has space for 60 people. From there, an elegant staircase leads up to the sun deck, which offers room for about 30 people. The guests can enjoy 360° panoramic views as well as the fresh mountain air. The car moves on two side-mounted support cables – a technological innovation of Garaventa AG, a Swiss cable car company based in central Switzerland. |
Jungfraujoch
On the opposite side of Lauterbrunnen Valley from where we'll be staying. The famous Jungfrau Railway will take you to Europe's highest-altitude railway station at 3454 meters (11,333 feet). The Jungfraujoch - the Top of Europe, a unique vantage point in the heart of the Alps, offers a spectacular panorama. At this very point, the Aletsch Glacier begins to form, with 22 km (14 miles) the longest in Europe. The attractions on the Jungfraujoch include the Sphinx panoramic terrace, the ice palace, a plateau with walking trails in the eternal snow, husky sledge rides in the summer, summer skiing and snowboarding, a slide show and the highest-altitude post office of Europe where you can send your postcards. Visit the Jungfraujoch Interactive Webcam Grindelwald First Cable Car
First is a mountain on the sunny side of the Grindelwald valley. A modern 6 seater gondola is taking people within 30 min. to the top. In the summer time, the First area is a hiking paradise and also a great area for bikers. Up at First, there is a restaurant, offering incredible panoramic view to the mountain chain of Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn, Finsteraarhorn, Fiescherwand ,Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Visit the First Interactive Webcam It's also possible to ride down on a Trotti Bike! You can make your descent a thrill ride instead of taking the gondola. From 2000 meters above sea level, you’ll board your trotti bike and race down the mountain on a 40 minute journey back to the village of Grindelwald. What is a trotti bike you ask? Simple, it’s a scooter. But these scooters are a little more rugged, they have brakes and the Swiss are just a little more crazy than other people allowing tourists to zip through the countryside as they balance on two precarious wheels while dodging cows, tractors and their fellow bikers. Check out youTube video! There is also a Trotti Bike ride from Isenfluh - Sulwald, just north of Grutschalp.
Schynige Platte
The journey with a nostalgic cog railway and open carriages is an adventure in itself - and the higher you climb, the better the breath-taking views of the mountains that open up all around you. For over 120 years the small train has been ascending the up to 25% climb to the viewing terrace and mountain hotel. The Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau are the big attraction up here, together with the popular round ridge hike with views over the lake of Brienz and alpine gardens with 600 diverse plant species, which are certainly worth a visit. Schynige Platte Alpine Garden -- Alpine garden and panorama walks, 0.5 - 2.5 hrs. In the course of the summer, the entire wealth of Swiss Alpine flora, around 600 different species, can be admired in the garden; however, the vegetation and flowering periods are strongly dependent on outside influences.
June - As the last snows melt in the Alpine Garden, the cherries are already ripening in the valley. The mountain spring begins with masses of soldanellas and crocuses, followed by alpine pasque flower and trumpet gentians. July - This is the time when alpine flora is at its most fabulous. Alpen roses, silvery-leaved milfoil, alpine poppies and alpine asters light up the lush green meadows with sumptuous shades of red, white, yellow and blue. Harder Kulm, Interlaken
At 1322 m above sea level Interlaken’s local mountain – the Harder Kulm – offers the best views of Interlaken as well as the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. And for those with a head for heights, the Two-lake Footbridge, which opened in October 2011, is the ideal vantage platform. Reichenbach Falls, Meiringen
The glacier gorge Rosenlaui is a natural monument of national significance. The meltwaters of the Rosenlaui Glacier flow thunderously through this ravine. A secured footpath leads through the narrow ravine, which is enclosed by up to 80 meter high rockfaces. The meltwaters flow onwards to the valley and turn into the Reichenbach brook. The brook's seven-tiered waterfall has become world-famous, thanks to the writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The protagonist of one of his novels, Sherlock Holmes, staged his own death on the observation platform above the highest of the seven tiers of the waterfall - the 120 meter high tier. The Reichenbach funicular, a nostalgic cable car leads to this platform, and it can also be reached on foot from Hotel Zwirgi. Sherlock Holmes Museum, Meiringen
The museum opened in 1991 on the 100th death anniversary of Sherlock Holmes in the basement of the old English church in the center of the village of Meiringen. Holmes fans will find numerous objects here related to the history of their favorite detective. In addition, the parlor of the Victorian home located at Baker Street 221b in London, where Holmes lived with his assistant Dr. Watson, is authentically recreated. Titlis Cliff Walk Bridge, Engelberg
Think you have a head for heights? 3,041 metres above sea-level. 500 metres off the ground. 150 heart-pounding steps. This is what awaits you on the TITLIS Cliff Walk, the spectacular suspension bridge high up on the summit. To cross the bridge, you'll need nerves as strong as the steel cables from which it hangs. On arriving at the summit, the route leads you through an underground tunnel and on to the viewing platform at the south wall window. The suspension bridge stretches from here to the Ice Flyer glacier chair lift station. The TITLIS Cliff Walk is just one metre wide and 100 metres long. The views into the abyss below are breathtaking! The TITLIS Cliff Walk holds the record for being the highest suspension bridge in Europe. Entry to the Cliff Walk is free of charge. |
France - Mt. Blanc Area
Aiguille du Midi Bridge Mont Blanc massif, French Alps, France
The Aiguille du Midi is a 3842m peak in the Mont Blanc massif of the French Alps. This is the closest you can get to the summit of Mont-Blanc without hiking or climbing.
The Aiguille du Midi is the highest mountain peak served by an aerial lift system. The name translates literally to "Needle of the Mid-day". The mountain lies to the south-east of Chamonix and when viewed from in front of the church it indicates that it is noon when the sun passes over its summit.
A great day excursion is to walk from the Plan d'Aiguille to the Montenvers Train Station and Mer de Glace and take the train back down to Chamonix (or vice-versa).
The Aiguille du Midi Cable Car - Journey, Prices, DatesThe Aiguille du Midi cable car leaves from the centre of Chamonix Town (1035m) up to the summit of the Aiguile du Midi (3842m). You can see here the 2015 Aiguille du Midi Cable Car opening closing dates and times and summer - winter prices for the Aiguille du Midi lift, Montenvers train and the Panoramic Mont Blanc cable car to Point Helbronner.
It is a two-stage journey. The first leg brings visitors to the Plan de l'Aiguille (2,317m). The second stage, without any support pillar, traverses Les Pelerins glacier before rising up the North Face of the Aiguille du Midi at the top station (3778m). A footbridge connects the cable car top station with the Central Piton terrace. An elevator inside the rock rises the visitor the final 42m to the top terrace at an altitude of 3,842m.
From the top terrace of the Aiguille du Midi, there is a departure point for the Panoramic Mont Blanc cable car, the highest cable car in the world, which connects France to Italy. The 5km journey goes across the Mont Blanc Massif, from the Aiguille du Midi to Point Helbronner. From Point Helbronner, the Funivie cable car line descends into the La Palud area of Courmayeur, Italy. However, the cable car line from the Aiguille du Midi down to Le Palud area of Courmayeur is closed, due to renovation of the cable car on the Italian side of Mont Blanc.
The Aiguille du Midi cable car holds the world record for the highest vertical ascent: 2807m (from 1035m to 3842m). This is the closest you can get to the Mont Blanc on a lift system. From here, there is no cable car to the summit of Mont Blanc.
The Aiguille du Midi is a 3842m peak in the Mont Blanc massif of the French Alps. This is the closest you can get to the summit of Mont-Blanc without hiking or climbing.
The Aiguille du Midi is the highest mountain peak served by an aerial lift system. The name translates literally to "Needle of the Mid-day". The mountain lies to the south-east of Chamonix and when viewed from in front of the church it indicates that it is noon when the sun passes over its summit.
A great day excursion is to walk from the Plan d'Aiguille to the Montenvers Train Station and Mer de Glace and take the train back down to Chamonix (or vice-versa).
The Aiguille du Midi Cable Car - Journey, Prices, DatesThe Aiguille du Midi cable car leaves from the centre of Chamonix Town (1035m) up to the summit of the Aiguile du Midi (3842m). You can see here the 2015 Aiguille du Midi Cable Car opening closing dates and times and summer - winter prices for the Aiguille du Midi lift, Montenvers train and the Panoramic Mont Blanc cable car to Point Helbronner.
It is a two-stage journey. The first leg brings visitors to the Plan de l'Aiguille (2,317m). The second stage, without any support pillar, traverses Les Pelerins glacier before rising up the North Face of the Aiguille du Midi at the top station (3778m). A footbridge connects the cable car top station with the Central Piton terrace. An elevator inside the rock rises the visitor the final 42m to the top terrace at an altitude of 3,842m.
From the top terrace of the Aiguille du Midi, there is a departure point for the Panoramic Mont Blanc cable car, the highest cable car in the world, which connects France to Italy. The 5km journey goes across the Mont Blanc Massif, from the Aiguille du Midi to Point Helbronner. From Point Helbronner, the Funivie cable car line descends into the La Palud area of Courmayeur, Italy. However, the cable car line from the Aiguille du Midi down to Le Palud area of Courmayeur is closed, due to renovation of the cable car on the Italian side of Mont Blanc.
The Aiguille du Midi cable car holds the world record for the highest vertical ascent: 2807m (from 1035m to 3842m). This is the closest you can get to the Mont Blanc on a lift system. From here, there is no cable car to the summit of Mont Blanc.