Berner Oberland-Route
Overview
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Distance 51 km
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Ascent 1600 m
Intro
Along the Lütschine up to Grindelwald, the glacier village at the foot of the majestic Eiger, Mönch & Jungfrau peaks, on over Grosse Scheidegg, past Rosenlauischlucht (gorge) and the Reichenbach Falls, where Sherlock Holmes fell to his death, to Meiringen.
Detour / Closure
There are detours or closures along this route, for more information see https://schweizmobil.ch/en/cycling-in-switzerland/route-61/stage-2
Description
To avoid any nasty surprises, this leg involves scaling around 1,600 metres in altitude. If you are up to the task, this is the perfect opportunity to hone your cyclist’s calves. If you are looking for a more leisurely ride and want to savour the landscape, maybe go for an e-bike instead. The ride through the Lütschinental valley is breathtaking, and not just because of the mighty peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Sometimes gurgling, sometimes thundering, the river Lütschine will be your guide through the mountain valley. As it emerges from the Lauterbrunnental valley, it is known as White Lütschine, and from Grindelwald onwards it goes by the name of Black Lütschine. The two Lütschine rivers then become one.
Tourists seek out a variety of sights in Wilderswil. Some like chugging along in the cog railway to the viewpoint on the Schynige Platte, while others venture a little further to the world-famous Jungfraujoch. Those of a sportier disposition prefer to walk or cycle. There are springs with mountain water to refresh you along the way. The local water is also used to generate electricity: in Lütschental, Jungfraubahn AG runs a power station that supplies the surrounding municipalities with power, as well as the Jungfrau and Schynige Platte railway lines. Once you reach the summit, you will be greeted by the panorama around Grindelwald with its barren north face, majestic 4,000-metre-high peaks and oozing glaciers.
This route now goes even steeper uphill. Ischboden alpine bird park (Alpenvogelpark) provides a welcome distraction along the way. You can either take a break here or go looking for wood grouse, barn owls, eagle owls and other owls. You will reach the level of Grosse Scheidegg at 1,962 metres above sea level. You’ve made it! Uphill, you will be greeted by a magnificent view of the wide valley of Grindelwald. Behind you, you will hear grinding and cracking. What do you think is going on inside the rock? Sometimes there are even small rockslides triggered by chamoises or ibex. The Alpine choughs do not seem to mind, and enjoy the crumbs of bread left lying around.
The fast-paced descent through the Reichenbachtal valley has a few sights worth seeing. But be careful not to get distracted too easily by the panoramic views or blossoming fields of crocuses. The road is narrow, so watch out for oncoming Postbuses in particular. There is now a mountain hotel on the Schwarzwaldalp. This is followed shortly by the Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge, a natural wonder within the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site. You might feel a little chillier here than just a few moments before. All the more reason to get a hot cup of coffee at the Belle-Époque hotel. After all, you will soon be arriving at the famous, or rather infamous, Reichenbach Falls. This is where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle killed off his detective Sherlock Holmes in a fight against his archnemesis Professor Moriarty. Your destination for this leg is Meiringen.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Interlaken
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Meiringen
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| Ascent |
1600 m
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| Descent |
1600 m
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| Distance |
51 km
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| Distance on tarred ways |
46 km
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| Distance on natural surface |
5 km
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| Physical requirements |
Difficult
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| Theme |
With panoramic view, Over a pass, To an alp
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| More information | https://schweizmobil.ch/en/cycling-in-switzerland/... |
Quick Facts
Route number
