Information
Landmark: Lake BrienzCity: Interlaken
Country: Switzerland
Continent: Europe
Lake Brienz, Interlaken, Switzerland, Europe
Overview
Lake Brienz, known as Brienzersee in German, shimmers in the Bernese Oberland between Brienz and Interlaken, its turquoise water framed by steep, green hills.With its dazzling turquoise waters and towering green slopes, Lake Brienz draws nature lovers, thrill-seekers, and anyone eager to taste authentic Swiss traditions.Lake Brienz rests at the base of the Brienz Rothorn Mountain, ringed by sharp peaks, dark green forests, and villages so quaint you can hear church bells drifting across the water.The lake stretches about 14 kilometers, or 8.7 miles, from end to end, and spans roughly 2 kilometers-1.2 miles-across, wide enough for waves to slap the shore in the wind.The lake shimmers in a vivid turquoise, colored by glacial meltwater spilling in from the mountains.Behind it, snow-capped peaks like the Finsteraarhorn and Schreckhorn rise sharply against the sky, a view that draws photographers in every season.At the northern tip, Brienz greets visitors with carved wooden shutters and the scent of fresh pine from its long woodcarving tradition.The town of Brienz charms with its lakeside promenade, lined with colorful wooden houses and steeped in a proud woodworking heritage.At the Swiss Woodcarving Museum, you can glimpse delicate carvings that smell faintly of fresh pine, each telling a century-old story.To see the lake at its best, many visitors step aboard a boat and glide across its calm, turquoise waters.Several companies run boat tours on Lake Brienz, tracing routes that reveal sweeping mountain vistas and charming lakeside villages.Boats often pause at places like Iseltwald, with its old stone church and quiet shoreline, and Giessbach, where the Giessbach Waterfalls tumble in white spray straight into the lake.These cruises offer a peaceful way to soak in the mountains, forests, and clustered villages, and many let you hop off to explore along the way.Among the lake’s highlights, the Giessbach Waterfalls stand out, cascading beside the historic Giessbach Hotel.The waterfalls spill from the slopes of Brienz Rothorn, rushing over dark rock before plunging into the clear waters of Lake Brienz.You can spot the falls from the lake, but a steep trail lets you hike to the top for a completely different view.Right beside them stands the Giessbach Hotel, a grand old lodge with balconies that look out over the shimmering water.People flock to the trails around the falls, where smooth, well-kept paths wind toward viewpoints framed by mist and rushing water.Lake Brienz, just nearby, draws visitors for all kinds of outdoor adventures.In summer, visitors dive into the lake for a swim, catch the wind in a sail, glide in a kayak, skim along on a board, or balance on a paddleboard with the sun warm on their shoulders.The lake’s crystal-clear water is ideal for kayaking or paddleboarding, and you’ll find plenty of rental shops along the shore ready with gear.Hiking and mountain biking draw just as many visitors, with winding trails that cut through pine-scented forests and climb toward the Brienz Rothorn’s rocky summit.Climbing to the top of Brienz Rothorn rewards you with sweeping views of the lake and the jagged Alps, their peaks sharp against the sky, and you can get there on the historic Brienz Rothorn Railway, a puffing steam cogwheel train that carries passengers from Brienz up to the 2,350-meter (7,710-foot) summit.The train winds through deep green forests, then bursts into open stretches where the lake glitters below and the Bernese Alps rise sharp against the sky.From the summit, visitors take in sweeping views of Lake Brienz shimmering below, jagged peaks on the horizon, and the valleys beyond.Brienz Rothorn’s peak draws hikers looking for tougher trails, and in winter, its slopes welcome skiers and snowboarders.Down by the water, the tiny village of Iseltwald rests on the lake’s edge, its quiet streets and wooden chalets framed by the mountains.The village makes a perfect getaway, where you can breathe in the crisp air while gazing at the lake shimmering beneath the shadow of the mountains.You can wander the lakeside promenade, stop for flaky rösti at a waterfront café, or rent a small boat to drift across the water at your own pace.Iseltwald charms with its timbered chalets and a whitewashed church topped by a little bell tower.Around Lake Brienz, trails weave from gentle shore paths to steep, rocky climbs high into the mountains.Popular options include the Brienz to Giessbach Trail, which hugs the turquoise shoreline of Lake Brienz before reaching the misty spray of Giessbach Waterfalls.For a tougher climb, the Brienz Rothorn trails wind up to the summit, rewarding hikers with sweeping views of the lake and the Alps.Families and beginners often choose the gentle path to the Hohfluh Plateau, where the mountains frame the water like a postcard.Come winter, the lake and peaks turn into a snowy playground, perfect for snowshoeing, winter hikes, or skiing at nearby Axalp and Brienz Rothorn.Snowy, hushed landscapes make it the perfect spot for anyone craving a peaceful winter escape.Out on the lake, winter cruises glide past white-capped peaks, the pale sun casting a soft glow over the water.The nearby town of Brienz glitters with holiday lights, adding a warm glow to its festive streets.Around Lake Brienz, you’ll find everything from cozy Swiss restaurants serving rösti, fondue, and raclette to quiet lakeside cafés where steam curls from your coffee as you watch the water.Brienz and Iseltwald are especially loved for their waterfront dining, where you can savor local specialties with the lake just steps away.You can reach Lake Brienz easily by train from Interlaken or Brienz.Interlaken Ost links easily to the rest of Switzerland, and from its platforms you can hop on a quick train to Brienz or step onto a boat that glides across the blue-green lake.By boat, you can hop on a cruise from Interlaken or Brienz and watch the lake unfold in shifting shades of blue as the wind brushes your face.You can drive around Lake Brienz, taking one of several scenic routes where the road curves past turquoise water and snow-capped peaks.Lake Brienz is a breathtaking spot, where turquoise waters meet rugged mountain trails and the charm of Swiss village life.You might spend a sunny afternoon gliding across the lake, trek the pine-scented trails in the nearby mountains, or wander cobbled lanes in storybook villages-Lake Brienz makes every moment unforgettable.
