A tourist region characterised by superlatives
With its Thun and Brienz lakes, Aare, Simme and Kander and the Bernese Alps, the Bernese Oberland is a tourist region of superlatives. From the picturesque lakes to eternal snow and ice on the mountains, the routes take you through several levels of vegetation. You can trek up to the world famous mountains of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, the sublime triumvirate that is a part of Jungfrau-Aletsch, the UNESCO world heritage site of the Swiss Alps. The Trümmelbach Falls near Lauterbrunnen, which carry the meltwater of ten glaciers inside the mountain, are also part of the world heritage site. Other fascinating waterfalls are the Giessbach and Staubbach Falls.
Also worth seeing are the Rosenlaui glacier gorge, the Aare gorge near Meiringen and the St. Beatus caves, a breath-taking stalactite cave system. The Bernese Oberland also offers countless small but heavenly mountains lakes; Bachalpsee and Oeschinen lake are without doubt among the most picturesque ones. "Top of Europe", the Jungfraujoch, which is eternally capped with ice and snow, is one of the most famous and highest tourist destinations in the world.
Attractions
The development of Alps for tourism has given - and still gives - many technical masterpieces. The Bernese Oberland is characterised by some superlatives: The Jungfrau Railway is the highest railway and train station in Europe. The Brienzer Rothorn Railway is the oldest steam cog railway in Switzerland. The Grindelwald-Männlichen gondola cableway is the longest gondola cableway in Europe.
Hotel Interlaken in the alpine tourist town of Interlaken is a splendid witness from the time tourism began in the Bernese Oberland. The venerable Grandhotel Giessbach is situated on a slight elevation and offers a fantastic view of Lake Brienz and is within walking distance of the Giessbach Falls. Thun Castle, which has now been converted into a museum, is even older, dating back to the middle ages.
Its modern counterpart is the revolving restaurant Piz Gloria on the Schilthorn with a fantastic 360° alpine panorama view of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
Delicacies
The Bernese Oberland loves to serve hearty dishes. Typical delicacies are the Berner Platte (Bernese platter), Suure Mocke and Brienzer cheese. With so many lakes and brooks, there are bound to be many fish specialities, for example the freshly caught trout from the Blausee near Kandersteg.
The Spiezer Riesling-Sylvaner soup has also become a popular speciality. We must not forget the Meiringen Meringue, a sweet surprise which is said to have been invented here by an Italian confectioner around 1600.
