Backpacking through Interlaken

On behalf of my closest friends who did this backpacking trip in swiss alps. Credit for details and pictures goes to him.

Would you like to walk down my memory lane of first solo trip to an incredibly gorgeous area in Swiss Alps? Welcome to Interlaken in Easter’22.

Since I moved to Geneva nearly seven months back, I have been wanting to explore the beauty of Swiss Alps and the villages around it. Following COVID restrictions, getting to explore Swiss alps seemed like a lifetime. Finally, as they say, hope is right at the end of the tunnel and that’s what happened. Swiss restrictions eased, weather became warmer and I could finally make my first backpacking trip to Swiss Alps.

Two sincerely kind co-workers suggested to explore Bernese Oberland region during four-day weekend and recommended few places to visit. Interlaken is surrounded by Bernese Alps and situated on the valley floor, between turquoise colour waters of lake Thun and lake Brienz. It is a gateway to famous Jungfrau region. I came across Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof, a hostel which has exceptionally great reviews and reasonable prices. As the days approached closer there was some nervousness, since I have never been on a solo backpacking trip and stayed in hostels before. So I looked up to my three amigos (KD, Machaayengey, Matta Saab) for guidance and encouragement. Their advice is best summarized in four words – have fun without fear. That’s all I needed, booking done! Let’s get right into it

Geneva to Interlaken is approximately three-hour train ride with stunning views, especially around alpine lake Thun. I reached Interlaken West station on Friday afternoon, then took five-minute bus ride to hostel. It was too early to check-in, so placed my bag in day locker, kept food in kitchen refrigerator, and was on my way. Interlaken OST station to Giessbachfalle is one and half hour ferry ride on lake Brienz, then four-minute of funicular ride up to the Grand Hotel. It is 400 to 500 meter high waterfall, where water flows down in 14 stages, and energy of this waterfall makes you want to hike up to the top

Giessbachfalle to fairy-tale village of Iseltwald (called the pearl of lake Brienz) is one and half hour of walk by the lake side. There are two trails – one by forest and other by lake side. Whole trail is serene and turquoise colour of water is pleasing to your eyes. The trail becomes better and better as you approach Seeburg Castle.

Iseltwald to hostel is 30-minute bus ride. Alternately you can walk for ten kilo meters but your knees might curse you. I check-in at the hostel and enter my dorm room. I introduce myself to one roommate who is from Punjab, and another couple who are from Australia. As the day progresses we bond together really well over couple of beers. As the day comes to an end, it time to rest and recharge for next big day, lights off

My friend from Punjab and I decide to cover Grindelwald, First, and Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe) today. We take the train from Interlaken OST to Grindelwald, then gondola to First. This 25-minutes gondola ride offers phenomenal panoramic views of the mountains. First Cliff Walk is a metal walkway at an altitude of 2,168 meters, which clings to the side of the mountain, along with a hanging bridge, and provides spectacular views of north face of Eiger mountain. I was reading about this place in an online post, where one person asked for best place near Interlaken to propose to his girlfriend, and many people suggested First Cliff Walk

After spending around one and half hour at First, we come back to Grindelwald via gondola to head towards highest railway station in Europe – Jungfraujoch located at altitude of 3,454 meters. There are two ways to reach here – longer traditional way via Jungfraubahn cogwheel railway or faster modern way via Eiger Express gondola from Grindelwald to Eigergletscher, then train to Jungfraujoch. We took the longer route of two hours and it was good decision

When you travel via Jungfraubahn and absorb the natural beauty you think about the construction of this masterpiece which spanned across 16 years between 1896 and 1912, including numerous blasts through the rocks of Eiger and Monch mountains. After reaching Jungfraujoch station we go higher up to Sphinx Terrace which is at 3,571 meters and provides fantastic alpine views

Next is the indoor Ice Palace created in 1930s which covers an area of 1000 meter square, has crystal-like magical sculptures exhibited by artists and also has passageways.

Next, we head outdoors to Glacier Plateau. Its -7.1 degrees Celsius and suddenly it becomes too windy, cold and bit cloudy. We have to go bit uphill to reach the plateau, holding ropes for support. It is slippery and people are falling on each other, I’m guilty too as I’m in Skechers. But the thrill to reach the plateau, somehow I manage to get myself across and pose with the Swiss flag which was hoisted at the opening of Jungfraujoch station in 1912

Note: Please make sure you are wearing proper hiking shoes and not casual shoes as there are chances of you falling and hurting yourself. Be careful when traversing here

We take the last train of the evening from Jungfraujoch and come back to Grindelwald to explore this town. Just walking around Grindelwald is so pleasant that you don’t want this to get over

It’s was an adventurous day. After all the fun we had, it was time to head back to hostel. I thought it cannot get better than today, but I was mistaken

Day-3 is exciting as it involves hiking around lot of places – Lauterbrunnen, Stechelberg, Gimmelwald, Murren, Grütschalp, Wengen, Wilderswil and back to Interlaken. We take the train from Interlaken OST to valley of 72 waterfalls – Lauterbrunnen, then walk up for one and half hour to Stechelberg. Wooden houses and massive rock walls are attractive. On the way we notice majestic 300-meter high Staubbach Falls, it is Switzerland's highest freefalling waterfall

Stechelberg to Gimmelwald is accessible via four-minute cable car ride which provides mighty aerial views of the valley. Gimmelwald is an unspoilt, untouched, and car-free village at 1,367 meters, it is declared an avalanche zone. You will notice many mini chalets decorated with flowers, and walk in this village is an experience not to be missed

Gimmelwald to Murren is one hour hike up, but it takes longer because you just can’t resist the scenery on this path. Murren is a mountain village at 1,650 meters, quiet, calm and isolated. We decide to have lunch at restaurant named Alti Metzg overlooking gigantic Jungfrau, Monch and Eiger mountains

We explore Murren for some time by walking in a loop. Do check out paragliding here. Murren to Grütschalp is a fun and easy walk of around one and half hour, mostly downhill and by side of railway track

We take the cable car from Grütschalp to Lauterbrunnen then train to Wengen which is at 1,274 meters. Wengen is livelier and there is a church from where outlook to Lauterbrunnen valley is must-see

Instead of hiking down to Lauterbrunnen we decide to take the train so that we can visit Wilderswil village. We roam around Wilderswil for an hour and then take the train to Interlaken OST to go back to hostel. It has been a fulfilling day, but I still want to visit at least two more places

I check-out from hostel in morning but they allow to keep my bag in day locker to pick up before catching the train to Geneva in afternoon.

Harder Kulm at 1,322 metres is a view point at top of Interlaken with impressive views of lake Brienz, Lauterbrunnen valley and lake Thun. Its funicular station is ten-minute walk from hostel and funicular ride up is for eight minutes which is quite steep. Instead of taking funicular you can hike up and back down if you feel adventurous and have time. It is said that if Interlaken had a king, then he would reside at Harder Kulm

After spending one hour at Harder Kulm, I take 20-minute bus ride from Interlaken OST towards lake Thun to visit St. Beatus caves which is nestled in the Alps. Bus stop to entrance of caves is 15-minute walk up through waterfalls

St. Beatus caves is cave system featuring lit and narrow passages, where you see subterranean waterfalls, and grottos with stalactite and stalagmite formations. Last but not the least, view of lake Thun from exit pathway of caves is just mesmerizing

And this is it. It hit me really hard that it’s time to leave this wonderful place, I’m dragging myself to go back to hostel to pickup my bag, then catch the train from Interlaken West to Geneva. I could not cover many places – town of Brienz, Bachalpsee lake at First, Mannlichen, Kleine Scheidegg, Schynige Platte, Trümmelbachfälle, Mt. Schilthorn – but there is always a next time

On bright side – I had fun without fear

Trip costing overview

1. Hostel + breakfast included, 47 CHF per night, Total 141 CHF.

a. This is really low price for a hostel in prime location which provides great quality, cleanliness and breakfast.

2. Geneva to Interlaken to Geneva train ticket, 70 CHF on half-fare card.

3. Winterlaken card, 40 CHF per day, Total 80 CHF.

a. This card provides unlimited access to buses, trains and cable cars in Jungfrau region. Alternately, it would be very expensive to pay for each individual trip in trains and cable cars. Highly recommend to get this card or Swiss Travel Pass.

4. Four things which are not included in Winterlaken card:

a. Ferry on lake Brienz, around 20 CHF for 1st class ticket.

b. Train from Eigergletscher to Jungfraujoch, 49 CHF, discounted because of Winterlaken card.

c. Funicular ride to Harder Kulm, 17 CHF with half-fare card.

d. Entrance to St. Beatus caves, 17 CHF.

5. Food + Beverages:

a. 25 to 30 CHF per day on average. Hostel provides great breakfast, and it has a fully equipped kitchen if you want to shop for your own food and use the kitchen to cook or heat cold / frozen food.

b. There are water fountains in every town and village for free access to drinking water.

Total = Around 500 CHF

Do leave behind any comments or suggestions or any questions you may have and i will be happy to help

Note: Pictures are property of owner. Please do not use it for any commercial purpose without asking

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