Jean’s guidebook

Jean
Jean’s guidebook

Food scene

Gasthaus Riedboden is on the road above the main road of the village (go past the Cable Car/Bus Station at the far end of town and take a hard right. ). They serve local cuisine; it is quite popular with the local people. Prices are reasonable. They are not open super-late (locals eat early). It is closed on Tuesday.
Riedboden Gasthaus GmbH
102 Riedboden
Gasthaus Riedboden is on the road above the main road of the village (go past the Cable Car/Bus Station at the far end of town and take a hard right. ). They serve local cuisine; it is quite popular with the local people. Prices are reasonable. They are not open super-late (locals eat early). It is closed on Tuesday.
Half-way down to Interlaken is the Luegibrüggli Restaurant - it is also local cuisine but more upscale - the cooking is really quite good. It has a fantastic view out over the lake if you book a window table. It It might be a good idea to reserve there. It is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
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Hotel-Restaurant Luegibrüggli
1 Kienbergstrasse
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Half-way down to Interlaken is the Luegibrüggli Restaurant - it is also local cuisine but more upscale - the cooking is really quite good. It has a fantastic view out over the lake if you book a window table. It It might be a good idea to reserve there. It is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Hiking Tips

Here are some recommended hikes in the area -
You can hike up the Niederhorn from Chuematte- it is a scenic walk through the woods and along a ridge to the summit, where you will have great views of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau as well as down into the Justisthal Valley behind! Here are the directions for going to Chuematte: Take the main road of the village in the direction of Interlaken. At the far end of the village (Waldegg) by the restaurant Regina, turn left toward “Hohwald.” About 1/2 kilometer farther take the first left toward “Habkern”. The road curves sharply past a Buddhist Meditation Zentrum and a large parking area (for a winter ski area). Just past this parking area, there is a small Ticket machine marked “Ticket - Tagesbeitrag”. Insert 5 Swiss Francs (coins only) and take the little ticket which must be displayed in the window of your car. It is for use of the road and to park up at Chuematte. Proceed further on this small road. Take the next left turn for “Habkern”. Keep following the road up and around. Do NOT take the next right turn for “Habkern”!!! Approximately 4.5 kilometers after the ticket machine, about 1 kilometer after the road turns to gravel, you will arrive at Chuematte. It is a large area with 2 old farm buildings and an area for parking. There is a water point here if you want to fill your bottles. Park here and continue walking along the road for about 100 meters. Take the first small footpath to the right toward Oberbergfeld (NOT Oberberg!!!). It is marked with a small yellow signpost. Walk to Oberbergfeld and then up to Niederhorn from there. It is about 1 1/2 hours walking one way. There is a restaurant, and WC at Niederhorn. There are no to very few signs to “Chuematte” especially along the road. That is why I have given such detailed directions! In addition, on the walking path, Chuematte is sometimes spelled “Kühmat”! This is a nice way to go to Niederhorn. The elevation gain is only about 350 meters and it is a nice path through the woods and with great views. In August there are wild blueberries along the way. Enjoy!
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Niederhorn station
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You can hike up the Niederhorn from Chuematte- it is a scenic walk through the woods and along a ridge to the summit, where you will have great views of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau as well as down into the Justisthal Valley behind! Here are the directions for going to Chuematte: Take the main road of the village in the direction of Interlaken. At the far end of the village (Waldegg) by the restaurant Regina, turn left toward “Hohwald.” About 1/2 kilometer farther take the first left toward “Habkern”. The road curves sharply past a Buddhist Meditation Zentrum and a large parking area (for a winter ski area). Just past this parking area, there is a small Ticket machine marked “Ticket - Tagesbeitrag”. Insert 5 Swiss Francs (coins only) and take the little ticket which must be displayed in the window of your car. It is for use of the road and to park up at Chuematte. Proceed further on this small road. Take the next left turn for “Habkern”. Keep following the road up and around. Do NOT take the next right turn for “Habkern”!!! Approximately 4.5 kilometers after the ticket machine, about 1 kilometer after the road turns to gravel, you will arrive at Chuematte. It is a large area with 2 old farm buildings and an area for parking. There is a water point here if you want to fill your bottles. Park here and continue walking along the road for about 100 meters. Take the first small footpath to the right toward Oberbergfeld (NOT Oberberg!!!). It is marked with a small yellow signpost. Walk to Oberbergfeld and then up to Niederhorn from there. It is about 1 1/2 hours walking one way. There is a restaurant, and WC at Niederhorn. There are no to very few signs to “Chuematte” especially along the road. That is why I have given such detailed directions! In addition, on the walking path, Chuematte is sometimes spelled “Kühmat”! This is a nice way to go to Niederhorn. The elevation gain is only about 350 meters and it is a nice path through the woods and with great views. In August there are wild blueberries along the way. Enjoy!
This is a beautiful village perched at the top of the Lauterbrunnen Valley at the foot of the Jungfrau. I recommend driving to Lauterbrunnen (there is a large parking garage at the entrance of Lauterbrunnen) and taking the lift to Grutschalp and walking from there. It is only one hour and the path is pretty level. Half-way there is a nice spot for coffee (Winteregg). In Murren, the Restaurant Edelweiss has outdoor seating with wonderful views over the high Alps and valley below (they offer a good Rösti plate).
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Mürren
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This is a beautiful village perched at the top of the Lauterbrunnen Valley at the foot of the Jungfrau. I recommend driving to Lauterbrunnen (there is a large parking garage at the entrance of Lauterbrunnen) and taking the lift to Grutschalp and walking from there. It is only one hour and the path is pretty level. Half-way there is a nice spot for coffee (Winteregg). In Murren, the Restaurant Edelweiss has outdoor seating with wonderful views over the high Alps and valley below (they offer a good Rösti plate).
A great hike in the Jungfrau area is to drive to Lauterbrunnen (where you can park your car), take the train the Wengen, take the cable car in the village up to Mannlichen, then walk to Kleine Scheidegg - Eigergletscher- Wengernalp, then take the train from there back to Lauterbrunnen. Although the tickets for this travel is quite expensive, the views are great! You will pass just below the Eiger North Face and be at the foot of the glaciers!
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Jungfrau
51 Schulgässli
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A great hike in the Jungfrau area is to drive to Lauterbrunnen (where you can park your car), take the train the Wengen, take the cable car in the village up to Mannlichen, then walk to Kleine Scheidegg - Eigergletscher- Wengernalp, then take the train from there back to Lauterbrunnen. Although the tickets for this travel is quite expensive, the views are great! You will pass just below the Eiger North Face and be at the foot of the glaciers!
Although this is a bit of a journey from Beatenberg (approximately 1 hour drive), the hike is spectcular! We like to take the lift up to Stockhorn top, then walk down past the Oberstockensee to Chindri, where we take the lift down. The views of Lake Hinterstockensee are incredible!
Stockhornbahn Ag
338A Kleindorf
Although this is a bit of a journey from Beatenberg (approximately 1 hour drive), the hike is spectcular! We like to take the lift up to Stockhorn top, then walk down past the Oberstockensee to Chindri, where we take the lift down. The views of Lake Hinterstockensee are incredible!
Attention: The train up to Schynige Platte does not open until July 1, 2023! I highly recommend the 7-hour hike from Schynige Platte to First - it is one of the greatest walks in Switzerland! You must start very early, and only on a clear day! You also must be in pretty good condition and have good hiking boots! To do this hike, take a very early 50-minute train from Wilderswil Station to Schynige Platte Station. You can leave your car all day in the parking area before the station, for 5 CHF. Then walk from Schynige Platte to First along the high ridge which offers spectacular views of Lake Brienz and all the high mountains of the Jungfrau area. Eventually you will reach the Faulhorn peak, then descend to the gorgeous Bachalpsee (swimming possible!) before continuing along the trail to First, where you will take the cable car to Grindelwald and then catch the train back to Wilderswil. This is definitely an extraordinary all-day expedition!
Schynige Platte
Attention: The train up to Schynige Platte does not open until July 1, 2023! I highly recommend the 7-hour hike from Schynige Platte to First - it is one of the greatest walks in Switzerland! You must start very early, and only on a clear day! You also must be in pretty good condition and have good hiking boots! To do this hike, take a very early 50-minute train from Wilderswil Station to Schynige Platte Station. You can leave your car all day in the parking area before the station, for 5 CHF. Then walk from Schynige Platte to First along the high ridge which offers spectacular views of Lake Brienz and all the high mountains of the Jungfrau area. Eventually you will reach the Faulhorn peak, then descend to the gorgeous Bachalpsee (swimming possible!) before continuing along the trail to First, where you will take the cable car to Grindelwald and then catch the train back to Wilderswil. This is definitely an extraordinary all-day expedition!

Swimming

This is a nice place for swimming in Lake Thun. To get there, park at the Restaurant Neuhaus, then take the little path in the corner back out to the road, go left to the first little street, which leads to the best part of the “beach.”
Neuhaus
121 Seestrasse
This is a nice place for swimming in Lake Thun. To get there, park at the Restaurant Neuhaus, then take the little path in the corner back out to the road, go left to the first little street, which leads to the best part of the “beach.”
This indoor swimming pool in the center of Beatenberg (behind the Tourist Office) has a wonderful view of the mountains. Your tourist card entitles you to one free entry. Hours - Monday-Friday 13:00 - 19:30; Saturday and Sunday 13:00 - 17:00. Closed Monday.
Panorama indoor pool Beatenberg
388e Obere Matte
This indoor swimming pool in the center of Beatenberg (behind the Tourist Office) has a wonderful view of the mountains. Your tourist card entitles you to one free entry. Hours - Monday-Friday 13:00 - 19:30; Saturday and Sunday 13:00 - 17:00. Closed Monday.

Hiking Tips for Cloudy Weather

This is a nice walk to a beautiful waterfall. It is also nice when the weather is not perfect as it is not dependent on mountain vistas!
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Giessbachfälle
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This is a nice walk to a beautiful waterfall. It is also nice when the weather is not perfect as it is not dependent on mountain vistas!
This walk (signposted “Schnitzlerweg”) from Axalp to Hinterbergseeli, goes to a scenic little lake (about an hour+ walk). All along the way are dozens of charming wood carvings - animals, plants, and human figures - done by local craftsmen from Brienz - the nearby village famous for its woodcrafting tradition. It is perfect for a cloudy and is also interesting for children!
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Hinterburgseeli
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This walk (signposted “Schnitzlerweg”) from Axalp to Hinterbergseeli, goes to a scenic little lake (about an hour+ walk). All along the way are dozens of charming wood carvings - animals, plants, and human figures - done by local craftsmen from Brienz - the nearby village famous for its woodcrafting tradition. It is perfect for a cloudy and is also interesting for children!
Justisthal Valley- this is the valley behind the Niederhorn (the mountain we are on). There are great views of the cliffs from there, which are visible unless it is really foggy. To get there, drive over to Grön, where you will park to start your walk. To get to Grön, take the Haupstrasse of Beatenberg in the direction opposite Interlaken, go through the tunnels, continue another 3 km or so. Just after the deep ravine is the parking area. (Grön). Then walk back and up into the ravine. You can also get a nice Fondue at the rustic farmhouse halfway up the valley! The walk is about 1 and 1/2 hours each way (easy walking).
Justistalstrasse
Justistalstrasse
Justisthal Valley- this is the valley behind the Niederhorn (the mountain we are on). There are great views of the cliffs from there, which are visible unless it is really foggy. To get there, drive over to Grön, where you will park to start your walk. To get to Grön, take the Haupstrasse of Beatenberg in the direction opposite Interlaken, go through the tunnels, continue another 3 km or so. Just after the deep ravine is the parking area. (Grön). Then walk back and up into the ravine. You can also get a nice Fondue at the rustic farmhouse halfway up the valley! The walk is about 1 and 1/2 hours each way (easy walking).
This is an awesome waterfall - carrying 20,000 liters per second of glacier-melt from the Eiger, Monch and Junfrau glaciers - which, over the millenia, has carved out a huge, serpentine, vertical chute through the inside the mountain - it is powerful and scary! The amazing Swiss engineers have constructed a series of walkways, platforms and lifts inside the mountain to enable you to explore this natural wonder! Rain or shine - it doesn’t matter as you’re inside the mountain! Entrance is on the road between Lauterbrunnen and Stechelberg.
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Trümmelbachfälle
236 Trümmelbach
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This is an awesome waterfall - carrying 20,000 liters per second of glacier-melt from the Eiger, Monch and Junfrau glaciers - which, over the millenia, has carved out a huge, serpentine, vertical chute through the inside the mountain - it is powerful and scary! The amazing Swiss engineers have constructed a series of walkways, platforms and lifts inside the mountain to enable you to explore this natural wonder! Rain or shine - it doesn’t matter as you’re inside the mountain! Entrance is on the road between Lauterbrunnen and Stechelberg.

Museums to Visit

These places are interesting to visit no matter what the weather!
This Open-Air museum near Brienz features over 100 historic buildings (chalets, farm-houses, churches) from all regions of Switzerland. There are also over 200 farm animals and workshops featuring traditional crafts. This is a good excursion even when the weather is a bit rainy.
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Ballenberg, Sviss opinn loftslagsmúseum
100 Museumsstrasse
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This Open-Air museum near Brienz features over 100 historic buildings (chalets, farm-houses, churches) from all regions of Switzerland. There are also over 200 farm animals and workshops featuring traditional crafts. This is a good excursion even when the weather is a bit rainy.
This extensive museum in Lucerne is the most-visited museum in Switzerland. Cars, boats, trains and aircraft are featured. A fascinating all-day excursion for adults and children alike!
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Swiss Museum of Transport
44 Lidostrasse
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This extensive museum in Lucerne is the most-visited museum in Switzerland. Cars, boats, trains and aircraft are featured. A fascinating all-day excursion for adults and children alike!

Towns to visit

Interesting nearby towns include Bern, Lucerne and Thun. These can make a nice excursion even on a rainy day (especially Bern which has miles of arcaded streets for strolling.)
The city of Bern has a beautiful historic center - you will find this interesting clocktower on the Kramgasse/Marktgasse - an arcaded street (perfect for rainy weather) featuring shops and restaurants.
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Zytglogge
1 Bim Zytglogge
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The city of Bern has a beautiful historic center - you will find this interesting clocktower on the Kramgasse/Marktgasse - an arcaded street (perfect for rainy weather) featuring shops and restaurants.
Lucerne is beautifully situated on the Lake of the 4 Cantons and has a well-preserved historic center perfect for strolling.
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Kapellubrú
Kapellbrücke
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Lucerne is beautifully situated on the Lake of the 4 Cantons and has a well-preserved historic center perfect for strolling.

Borgartillaga

Samgöngur

Best deals on transport passes -

The Regional Pass for the Berner Oberland is a great way to see the whole area - it includes trains, ferries, busses and cable cars - info regarding this pass is available online or at the train station.