Bernese Oberland & Central Switzerland - Discover Switzerland: Experience the Best of Switzerland - page 247

Need to Know
BEST TIME TO VISIT If you ski, come in winter. Otherwise, come May to Octo-
ber for outdoor rambles. TOP TIP Budget lots for trains and cable cars. For fur-
ther coverage, Click here .
Interlaken Region Don't
Miss List
KURT AEBERHARD, GUIDE AND LONGTIME RESIDENT
1 WATERFALLS
Take the Alpine train through the glacier-carved valley to Lauterbrunnen. Be im-
pressed by the Staubbach Falls ( Click here ) , the highest waterfall in the Swiss Alps,
and walk behind the falls. Continue travelling by a short bus ride to the spectacular
Trümmelbach waterfalls ( Click here ) . Travel back to Interlaken by train, then take a
paddle steamer ( www.bls.ch ) to Giessbach and you'll see more waterfalls on the way.
2 HIKING ON THE ETERNAL ICE
Three cogwheel trains transport you in about two hours from Interlaken ( Click here ;
567m) to Lauterbrunnen ( Click here ; 800m) to Kleine Scheidegg ( Click here ;
2060m) to Jungfraujoch ( Click here ; 3454m). From here, hike for one hour to the
heart of the Swiss Alps, the Mönchsjoch hut at around 3700m. Bring warm clothes,
sunglasses and good shoes, and be prepared for a great walk.
3 FIVE CASTLE VISIT
From Interlaken take a paddle steamer ( www.bls.ch ) to Thun ( Click here ) . Along the
way you'll see five castles, some dating back to the 15th century. Stop off at Ober-
hofen and/or Spiez castles ( Click here ) : you can climb their watch towers for good
views. Back down at the lakeside, enjoy the beach and admire the swans.