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Walking Holidays: Lake Brienz
Enjoy this easy and short walking trail around Lake Brienz , one of the two lakes surrounding Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland. What strikes the visitor first is the colour of the lake. It changes according to wind and weather from blue to turquoise then to emerald green and is special in many ways from the different viewing points above the lake. Starting in Interlaken you will hike around Lake Brienz in 5 days, visiting small but well known villages and towns along the way. The altitude differences on the tour are minimal except for one day where a difference of 500m (1,640ft) has to be covered.
Programme
| Day 1: | Arrival Flight or rail from the UK to Switzerland . Train transfer to Interlaken, the famous holiday resort, located between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun . Depending on your flight times possibility of exploring Interlaken and surrounds. Overnight in Interlaken . |
| Day 2: | Interlaken-Brienz Hike along the river Aare and the lake shore to the small village of Bönigen with its many wooden houses, fountains and flowers. Continue in direction of Iseltwald - the only village on the southern shores - and enjoy the views of the lake. From Iseltwald follow the path along the lake shore towards the Giessbach falls. The path to Giessbach leads through a forest which in parts feels truly enchanted. The falls are among Switzerland s loveliest waterfalls. The huge masses of water plunging down over 14 levels of rock into the Brienz lake, are a magnificent natural spectacle. Eventually follow the path down to the upper shore of the lake and continue on to the wood carving village of Brienz . Hiking time: 5 hours. Overnight in Brienz. |
| Day 3: | Brienz-Ringgenberg Very diverse and sunny section of the Lake Brienz circular walk. Cosy villages, ruins, luxuriant mountain pastures and splendid forests line today’s path. Starting off along the lake you will several times need to go up into the forest above to cover brooks and avalanche breaks before returning back down to the lake shore. Over and over again you will enjoy fantastic views of Lake Brienz . The chalet villages of Goldswil-Ringgenberg invite a stroll along the cosy streets. Beside a village museum, castle and church there is a scenic lido (Burgseeli) - a small lake with warm water temperatures from early summer. (Free entrance ticket with your hiking documentation).Hiking time: 4 hours. Overnight in Ringgenberg. |
| Day 4: | Ringgenberg – Beatenberg Todays section distinguishes itself by a change from the shores of Lake Brienz to the shores of Lake Thun in order to reach the village of Beatenberg at an altitude of 1,121m (3,677ft). Altitude differences of around 500m (1,640ft) have to be covered. The path leads from the Lake Brienz area to Interlaken, through the vast woodlands of the Habkern Valley to Habkern, and up an elevated path to the sunny terrace where Beatenberg is located. Enjoy the fantastic scenery before you as Beatenberg offers a front row seat to the scenery of the Bernese Alps . Hiking time: 5 hours. Overnight in Beatenberg. |
| Day 5: | Beatenberg – Interlaken The last section of the Lake Brienz circular walk is easy and leads through the woods and pastures of Lake Thun. Starting down through the magical Justis Valley you continue to the pretty village of Sigriswil . The sunny setting above the lake as well as the lovely shops in the village square invite for a break here. The final stretch down to the shores of Lake Thun ends in the village of Gunten – also known as the Pearl of Lake Thun due to its mild climate and south-facing position. From here a boat takes you across the lake back to Interlaken – a truly fantastic way to end this beautiful walk. Hiking time: 3 hours. Overnight in Interlaken . |
| Day 6: | Departure Transfer to Zürich for your return flight or rail to the UK . Alternatively extend your stay for a couple of nights in Interlaken. |
Accommodation
All hotels are small family-run typically Swiss hotels with a warm welcome. All hotels used are of a 3 star standard and have private facilities.
Departures: Daily from May to October 2008
Price: From £ 629 per person sharing standard twin/double room
(subject to availability at time of booking)
Price includes: Flights, airport taxes, carbon offset contribution (see climate care), 5 nights accommodation with breakfast and dinner, 2nd class rail transfer from and to airport, luggage transfers on 4 days, detailed hiking itinerary, maps and suggestions at your first hotel.
Payment by credit card:
A charge of 1% up to a maximum of £ 15 will apply when paying by credit card (Diners Card cannot be accepted). No charge will be made for debit cards.
