Outdoors · Interlaken · Switzerland
8 best outdoor things to do in Interlaken
Parks, viewpoints and open-air sights for the dry, bright days.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: James Petts, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
Start with Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe, Lauterbrunnen and Staubbach Falls and Höhematte. Together the 8 picks below take roughly 20–29 hours across 7 areas; 2 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 8
- Free entry
- 2
- Time to see them all
- 20–29 hours
- Areas
- Jungfrau region, Lauterbrunnen and Town centre
Outdoors in Interlaken
Viewpoint · Jungfrau region
1.Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
Check the summit webcam before you go; on cloudy days you may see nothing, and the ticket is costly.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Views
- Nature
- Photo spot
Nature · Lauterbrunnen
2.Lauterbrunnen and Staubbach Falls
Walk the flat valley path south towards Trümmelbach and Stechelberg for the best views of the falls.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Park · Town centre
3.Höhematte
Sit on the benches at the eastern end in the late afternoon to watch paragliders spiral down.
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- Kids
Nature · Lauterbrunnen
4.Trümmelbach Falls
Bring a waterproof layer and sturdy shoes; paths are wet and steep.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Off the beaten path
Experience · Grindelwald
5.Grindelwald First
Hike to Bachalpsee in the morning before clouds build around the peaks.
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
Nature · Wilderswil
6.Schynige Platte
Strong hikers can take the panorama trail towards the Faulhorn and on to First, one of the classic ridge walks of the region.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Views
- Nature
- History
- Outdoors
Nature · Wengen
7.Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg trail
Go up from Grindelwald by gondola and return via Wengen and Lauterbrunnen by train to make a loop.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Outdoors
- Active
- Views
- Kids
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Experience · Lakes
8.Lake Brienz and Lake Thun boats
Most Swiss rail passes cover the scheduled boats; check before buying a separate ticket.
- Time needed
- 1–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Couples
- Kids
- Views
- Outdoors
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Jungfrau region | Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe | Full day |
| Lauterbrunnen | Lauterbrunnen and Staubbach Falls and Trümmelbach Falls | 2–3 hours + 1 hour |
| Town centre | Höhematte | 30–60 minutes |
| Grindelwald | Grindelwald First | Half a day to a full day |
| Wilderswil | Schynige Platte | Half a day |
| Wengen | Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg trail | Half a day |
| Lakes | Lake Brienz and Lake Thun boats | 1–4 hours |
Booking and timing
Of these 8, 2 free, 1 low cost, 2 mid-priced, 3 expensive. Book ahead for Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe. The longest visit is Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe; group the rest by area to save travel time.
- Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe: Seat reservations on the Jungfrau Railway are needed at busy times; book a day or two ahead in summer.
How to fit them into 6 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Jungfrau region): Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe, at least 6 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Lauterbrunnen and Town centre): Lauterbrunnen and Staubbach Falls → Trümmelbach Falls → Höhematte, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 3 (Grindelwald): Grindelwald First, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 4 (Wilderswil): Schynige Platte, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 5 (Wengen): Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg trail, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 6 (Lakes): Lake Brienz and Lake Thun boats, at least 1 hour.
The best months to be outside
- August: highs of 23°C (73°F), about 12 rainy days, very busy crowds. Warm and busy, with lake swimming at its best and high trails clear of snow.
- September: highs of 19°C (66°F), about 10 rainy days, busy crowds. Often the clearest month for mountain views, with fewer crowds and cows returning from the high pastures.
- July: highs of 23°C (73°F), about 13 rainy days, very busy crowds. Peak hiking season with every lift running; start early, as clouds and storms often build in the afternoon.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Höheweg and the town centre — Grand hotels, watch shops and the open Höhematte meadow facing the Jungfrau
- Unterseen — Old wooden houses, a church square and the Aare river on the north side of town
- Matten and Wilderswil — Village streets on the valley floor towards the mountains, on the BOB rail line
- Grindelwald — Chalet village directly beneath the Eiger north face
- Lauterbrunnen — Valley-floor village between sheer cliffs and the Staubbach Falls
- Wengen — Car-free terrace village facing the Jungfrau, reached only by rack railway
More of Interlaken
All things to do in Interlaken · Where to stay · When to go.
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Interlaken?
Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe. The Jungfrau Railway tunnels through the Eiger and Mönch to a saddle at 3,454 metres, the highest railway station in Europe.
+Which of these are free in Interlaken?
Lauterbrunnen and Staubbach Falls and Höhematte.