Interlaken

The town of Interlaken is situated on the River Aar which flows the short distance between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun.

The town is a railway gateway for the region, with mainline trains arriving from Geneva and Lucerne and further afield in Europe, and local trains going up the mountains to the Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald Valleys.

The town is often used as a based for exploring the region as all areas are reasonably accessible.

Day trips can be made by boat along Lake Brienz, while the mountains and high passes can easily be explored by taking an early morning train to the high valleys.

The old town of Interlaken lies on the right bank of the River Aar. A nice way to get to the old part is to walk along the river and cross over by the sluice gates.

Within the old quarter there is a church dating back to the 13th century, a town hall and square, plus some fine restaurants.

The eastern end of Interlaken opens out into a large park, often used by para gliders.A number of old world hotels are located around the parks perimeter.

There are great views of the Eiger from the park.

Beyond the park there is a walk way along the river that brings one down to the lake.

Spring time in the mountains can come late, but when it does the fields are filled with myriad hues of yellow, pale blues, purples and lilacs.

The higher you rise in the mountain the normally early summer flowers may still be in bloom in July or early August.

The River Aar which flows through Interlaken, connecting the two lakes is a tributary of the River Rhine. .

The river starts in Aar Glaciers of the Bernese Alps. On its descent from the hight mountains it forms the Handegg Waterfall, the river eventually reaches Lake Brienz, the flows through Interlaken and on into Lake Thun

The river continues on out of Lake Thun - passes through the town of Thun and then onto Bern. At Aarbeg it makes a sharp left where its course has been redirected to prevent flooding.

Now it joins Lake of Bienne through the Hagneck Canal. Eventually, after a long distance it joins the River Rhine. It is Switzerland's longest river, being nearly 300km long.

The flow of the river through Interlaken and from Lake Brienz is controlled by a series of weirs and sluice gates.

In contrast to the tranquil eastern section, on the western side of the sluice gates the water is channelled into a fast racing river as it pours it's way along top Lake Thun.

Brienz is located at the head of Lake Brienz. The town runs along the lake shore.

A path way with numerous stops, seats and resting places follows the shore line for a distance, and then joins the main street. The promenade was built during World War I.

During the summer period it is often decked out with flowers and plants.

Wood craft and sculpturing has been associated with Brienz for many years.

Throughout the town, many large wooden sculptures have been erected, as testament to the skills of the local wood workers.

During the summer period, wood crafters exhibit their skills along the promenade.

The town of Brienz can easily be accessed from Interlaken by train. The railway station is right in the heart of the town, from which there is a regular service to/from Interlaken. The Lake Brienz ferry stops off at a number of hamlets along the lake including the village of Brienz.

The ferry takes you right up the River Aar into Interlaken.

The Giessbach Falls are just across the lake ( by ferry ) from the village. The Giessbachbahn funicular, is the the oldest funicular in Europe and takes visitors from the lake shore up to the hotel.

The falls has 14 stages in its spectacular 500 metre descent.

A good way to enjoy the lake is by the local ferry which leaves from close to Interlaken's the east railway.

The first stretch of the trip is back along the River Aar to where it enters the lake.

From there the ferry criss crosses the lake as it stops at a number of hamlets along the way.

The lower lake side lies just above Interlaken Ost.

A path way runs for quite a distance around the shore.

A number of paths head back to Interlaken past farm land. The River Aar leaves the lake at this end.

The ferry continues along the lake stopping at Giessbach Falls and Hotel Giessbach, the oldest funicular in Europe takes visitors from the ferry up to the hotel and falls.

The Falls with over 14 stages and a 500 metre drop is spectacular.

The terminus for the ferry is at the village of Brienz.

Follow the train as it rises out of the Interlaken Valley and heads across the mountains to Lucerne.