Hiking a UNESCO World Heritage Site
From June until early October is the best time to hike ‘Heuberg’. This fabulous circular hiking trail takes about three hours and offers superb views towards Oeschinensee, one of the most renowned mountain lakes in Switzerland, lying above the picturesque town of Kandersteg
The area around the lake is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jungfrau Aletsch. Here you get unspoilt vistas of the Blüemlisalp and Doldenhorn mountain ranges and, if you are lucky and patient, you may even see ibex and chamois goats.
There are walking routes around here for everyone, so whether you have small children, are a senior citizen or an experienced hiker, you’ll find a hiking route to suit you.
Paragliding in Interlaken
The three mountains Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau are a paradise for thrill-seekers with heli-skiing, skydiving and bungee jumping all guaranteed to get the adrenalin pumping. However, Interlaken, with its wide range of thrilling activities, is not only the ideal destination for extreme athletes, it also caters for families.
And if you’ve ever dreamt of gliding soundlessly through the air, a tandem paraglide is the perfect way to experience the serenity of flying like a bird. Harnessed to an instructor, you jog down a slope as the parachute swells out behind you like a huge kite, lifting you effortlessly into the air.
All that remains is for you to enjoy the breath-taking bird’s eye view of the mountain and lake scenery around Interlaken before a gentle landing. Whether it’s a warm summer’s afternoon or a frosty winter’s day, a tandem paraglide is always a fantastic experience.
Trail running in Gstaad
Surrounded by the typical Swiss summer landscape of flowering meadows, shady forests and rolling hills, trail running is a joyful way to experience the beauty of the Bernese Oberland.
There are several routes around Gstaad that are especially suitable for trail running. Besides the three existing Helsana trails and the Alpness Trail, there are now two new signposted trail running routes. From Gstaad, these take you to the Eggli and then back to the valley or via the Wispile mountain to the idyllic Lake Lauenen.
Road cycling in Gstaad
Bern is a stronghold for cycling, with multi-faceted tours, gentle hills and steep trails. There is a wide range of routes with different levels of difficulty to suit all abilities, and the region of Gstaad, in particular, is still something of hidden gem for road riders.
Enjoy marvellous moments in the saddle as you combine a wide variety of touring and training options that will stimulate both body and mind.
Choose from ten different road cycling routes, such as the 4 Finger loop, a tour that forms the basis of all shorter rides in the region, or the Tour de Gstaad Classique - with two Alpine passes, white mountain peaks, a non-direct climb to les Voëttes and the great descent to Château-d'Oex, this is an unbeatable experience.
River rafting in the Lauterbrunnen valley
This spectacular broad valley in the Jungfrau region is also called the valley of the 72 waterfalls (and was reportedly the inspiration for some of the landscapes in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings), and one of the best ways to experience this spectacular terrain is on a river rafting tour.
The different rivers in the Bernese Oberland offer something for everyone, so choose from a leisurely family boat trip to a wild water adventure with qualified guides to steer you safely through the gushing waters.
The Lütschine is a powerful and challenging mountain river and renowned as one of the best in Switzerland for river rafting. Other waterways in the Bernese Oberland are the Simme, the Saane and the Aare.
SUP on Lakes Thun or Brienz
Stand Up Paddling is one of the fastest-growing water sports. Easy, versatile and suitable for all ages, it’s the perfect holiday activity. Around Interlaken you can not only hire boards but join in fitness classes, take family paddling tours and sign up for group events too.
Also, since summer 2017 there is an SUP Paddle Trail on Lake Brienz, offering a great new way to explore this stunning lake region. Rent SUPs (as well as kayaks and canoes) from the three locations of Bönigen, Iseltwald and Brienz. And make the most of the glorious lake and mountain scenery.
For more info on all of these thrill-seeking activities in the wonderful Bernese Oberland, go to madeinbern.com
An August of action – four unmissable events in the Bernese Oberland
Glacier3000 Run
4 August 2018
With more than 1,000 participants, this trail run, now in its 11th year, is one of the great events of the Gstaad region.
The Inferno Triathlon
17-18 August 2018
Swim, bike and run in incredible scenery. With its ascent of 5,500m, ending on the Schilthorn above Mürren, this is truly one of the toughest races in the world.
Bergkönig
22-26 August 2018
Bergkönig means ‘King of the mountains’ – a familiar term to cycle race fans – and this event in Gstaad is the original Swiss vintage cycling festival
Alpenbrevet
25 August 2018
One of the great endurance races. The 40th Swiss Cycling Alpenbrevet starts in Andermatt but the routes pass through the Haslital.
