Rivers and lakes in Bern Region

A culinary voyage of discovery between mountains and lakes on lake Brienz. This allows you to discover the Bernese Oberland.

Seven springs feed the Simme, a 55km-long river in the Bernese Oberland that flows into Lake Thun at Wimmis. The waterfalls that cascade over rocks several metres high are also well worth a visit.

Plunging more than 100 metres, the Iffigfall is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the Bernese Oberland.

The lake in the Louwene Valley that makes up the Lake Lauenen system are home to moorland meadows, reeds, clumps of heather and groups of dark fir trees.

The Lauterbrunnen Valley is famous for its many waterfalls.

Loud thundering and roaring in the interior of the mountain, gurgling, foaming and churning water: these are the Trümmelbach Falls. They are Europe's largest subterranean water falls and are located in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, often called the valley of 72 waterfalls.

The lake is also known as the jewel of Kandersteg: with its turquoise blue water and unique natural scenery, Lake Oeschinen is a top destination in the Bernese Oberland. Whether you come for the hiking, picnicking, rowing or bathing – you will be amazed at its beauty.

A natural spectacle in a class of their own are the 600m long Engstligen waterfalls. Under preservation since 1948, these are the second longest falls in Switzerland.

A famous mountain lake near the Grindelwald First, 2,265m above sea level. This is a “mirror lake” which reflects the Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn, Finsteraarhorn and the Grindelwald glacier on the lake surface. Because of its beauty, Lake Bachalp is also known as the “Jewel of the Alps”.

With a height of nearly 300 meters, Staubbach Falls is the third highest waterfall in Switzerland. In the summer warm winds swirl the waters around, so that the Falls spray in all directions. These droplets of water spray gave the brook and the waterfall its name. (Staub = dust)

The turquoise Lake Brienz and neighbouring Lake Thun are set amid the spectacular mountain scenery of the Bernese Oberland. Passengers aboard the “Lötschberg” paddle steamer from the Belle Epoque (built in 1914) are inspired by its wonderfully nostalgic atmosphere.

Up on the Diemtigbergli above Diemtigen, a popular place for excursions.

The Aare is the longest wholly Swiss river. It originates from the Oberaar glacier in the eastern Bernese Alps, flows through lakes Brienz and Thun, passes by the federal capital of Bern, is channelled into Lake Biel, follows the southern foot of the Jura range and finally flows into the Rhine at Koblenz, in north-western Switzerland. Passenger boats operate on the lakes as well as the river section from Biel to Solothurn.

Clean air, fresh water, untouched nature: The Schwarzsee is the ideal choice for active relaxation while hiking, bathing and biking – or simply for lazing around. Discover the fascinating landscape around the mountain lake and visit the alpine huts on the Riggisalp and in the Brecca Valley.

Blue, crystal clear and indescribably beautiful – that’s the Blausee. Discover one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in Switzerland in the Kandertal Region of the Bernese Oberland. Enjoy the peace and quiet by the lake and the fairytale nature park with walking paths, fire pits and picnic areas.

“... nowhere have I felt so truly happy as on St. Peter's Island in the middle of Lake Biel,” wrote Jean-Jacques Rousseau shortly before his death, wistfully recalling his all too short stay on the island in the autumn of 1765.

Those who look towards Wildstrubel from Adelboden know little of the peaceful Alp that lies almost hidden at half-height in the valley basin. The entrance leads past the 600 meter-high Engstligenfälle.

Anne-Marie, a local hiking guide, leads her group of hikers across gentle Alpine meadows and forests to the Sprutz waterfall which lives up to its Swiss name: to splash.

Experience the beauty of the Bernese Oberland on Lake Thun. Historic castles, romantic lakeside towns and the view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau will inspire you. Combine a boat trip with an excursion to the St. Beatus Caves, the Niederhorn or the city of Thun.

The Rosenlaui Glacier, located to the south of Meiringen, in the canton of Bern, might be small, since it has an area of only six square kilometers, but thanks to this glacier two beautiful natural attractions have come into being - Glacier Gorge Rosenlaui and the world-famous Reichenbach Falls.

Lake Biel/Bienne in the Jura & Three-Lakes area of Switzerland is situated on the border between the French and German speaking parts. It borders the southern edge of the Jura, where the slopes are used for intensive cultivation of vines.

Turn off your worries, inhale deeply and enjoy the comforting effect of alpine waters. This theme trail invites hikers to discover at first hand unique water scenery at the end of the Adelboden Valley

A natural spectacle in a class of their own are the 600m long Engstligen waterfalls. Under preservation since 1948, these are the second longest falls in Switzerland

Lake Arnen is known as the “Pearl of the Saanenland”. The name suits: framed by the wild woods of the Tschärzis valley, the lake sparkles like a piece of jewellery.

The Giessbach brook tumbles in 14 stages, over a length of 500 meters and out of the high valleys of the Faulhorn area down to Lake Brienz. Historic Grand Hotel Giessbach is located at the foot of this nature spectacle. The hotel is accessible by means of Europe's oldest funicular.