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Lake Brienz
ℹ️Practical info — Lake Brienz
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Take a trip across the lake on the historic paddle steamer. It's a leisurely way to enjoy the scenery and visit scenic villages like Iseltwald.
- Woodcarving has a long tradition in Brienz. Allow some time to visit the workshops and watch the artisans at work.
- For the best views, take the steam rack railway up the Brienzer Rothorn. On a clear day, the panorama of the Alps is sweeping.
- The Giessbach Falls are especially impressive. Take the historic funicular up from the lakeside to walk behind one of the cascades.
- Parking can be scarce in the lakeside villages. Make use of the excellent public transport-the train and boat services are very regular.
🍽 Food
Try freshly caught fish from the lake, such as 'Felchen' (whitefish) or 'Egli' (perch). Look for lakeside restaurants in Brienz or Iseltwald offering 'Fischchnusperli' (crispy fried fish pieces).
This flavourful hard cheese is made in the surrounding alpine pastures. Buy a piece from a local dairy or a farmer's market to get a true taste of the region.
A classic Swiss dessert. Enjoy a huge, crispy meringue with a generous helping of double cream at a mountain restaurant or a lakeside café.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
The village of Brienz is the centre of Swiss woodcarving. Visit the main street where you'll find numerous shops selling everything from small animals to elaborate furniture.
Look out for farm shops or small markets around the lake. Here you can buy local honey, sausages, schnapps, and of course, alpine cheese directly from the producers.
The walking path from Iseltwald to the Giessbach Falls is a relatively easy and quiet walk along the lake shore, offering beautiful views of the turquoise water.
Take the road or PostBus up to Axalp, a high plateau above Brienz. It's a peaceful spot with great hiking trails, alpine meadows, and panoramic views.
Just a short train or car ride away, the Aare Gorge features a cool and quiet retreat on a hot day. A secure walkway takes you through the narrow, water-carved canyon.
Water temperature…
Lake Brienz, located in the Bernese Oberland, is renowned for its extraordinary turquoise color, caused by tiny glacial particles. Fed by the Aare river, the lake is surrounded by a dramatic mountain backdrop. Most of the northern shore is steep and forested, giving the lake a particularly untouched and mystical character compared to its neighbor, Lake Thun. A major attraction is the Giessbach Falls, which tumble down 14 cascades into the lake. Adjacent to the falls stands the historic Grandhotel Giessbach, reachable by a nostalgic funicular. Taking a cruise on the historic paddle steamer 'Lötschberg', which runs between Interlaken East and Brienz, is a highlight for many visitors. Welcoming lakeside villages like Iseltwald offer iconic photo opportunities. Summer is the best time to visit when the water color is most vivid. The lake is popular for kayaking and stand-up paddling due to its calm waters. Arrival is easy by train to Interlaken or Brienz. For food lovers, locally caught perch fillets ('Eglifilets') are a must-try specialty in the regional restaurants.
- Location: Switzerland
- Top sights: Senggfluh · Schloss Seeburg · Ruine Schadburg
- Nearby: Interlaken (7 km)
- Population: ~2.514
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -8 | -8 | -4 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 4 | -2 | -7 |
| Rain mm | 81 | 69 | 89 | 103 | 154 | 151 | 148 | 165 | 106 | 107 | 114 | 92 |
Geography
Facts
- Unique turquoise color from glacial flour
- Approximately 14 kilometers long
- Maximum depth of 260 meters
- Giessbach Falls flow directly into the lake
- Historic paddle steamer services
- Fed and drained by the Aare river
- Northern shore is largely uninhabited
- Richest lake for fish in the region
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Lake Brienz (7)
Frequently asked questions
Why is the water of Lake Brienz so turquoise?
Are there steamboats on Lake Brienz?
What are the Giessbach Falls?
Can you swim in Lake Brienz?
Is there a shore path around the lake?
Lake Brienz: where is it located?
Lake Brienz: what is there to see?
Lake Brienz: when is the best time to visit?
Lake Brienz: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
