Bernese Oberland & Central Switzerland - Discover Switzerland: Experience the Best of Switzerland - page 307

Brienz
POP 3000 / ELEV 566M
Quaint and calm, Brienz peers across the exquisitely turquoise waters of its namesake lake
to rugged mountains and thick forests beyond. The deeply traditional village has a stuck-
in-time feel with its tooting steam train and woodcarving workshops. In town, mosey
down postcard-perfect Brunngasse, a curving lane dotted with stout wooden chalets, each
seemingly trying to outdo its neighbour with window displays of vines, kitsch gnomes and
billowing geraniums.

Sights & Activities

Kids can splash around in the water playground on the tree-fringed lake promenade.

ROTHORN BAHN
( www.brienz-rothorn-bahn.ch ; one way/return Sfr51/80; hourly 7.30am-4.30pm Jun-late Oct) This is
the only steam-powered cogwheel train still operating in Switzerland, climbing 2350m,
from where you can set out on hikes or enjoy the long views over Brienzersee to snow-
dusted 4000m peaks.

| Railway

SCHWEIZER HOLZBILDHAUEREI MUSEUM
(Hauptstrasse 111; adult/child Sfr5/free; 9am-6pm May-Sep, 1.30-5.30pm Tue-Sat rest of year, closed
Jan & Nov) Several woodcarvers open their attached workshops, including Jobin, which has
been in business since 1835. You can see its intricately carved sculptures, reliefs and mu-
sic boxes in this museum.

| Museum

Eating

TEA-ROOM HOTEL WALZ $$
(Hauptstrasse 102; mains Sfr29-35; 7.30am-10pm daily, 7.30am-6.30pm Thu-Tue winter) Dirndl-clad
waitresses bring hearty meals and cakes to the table at this old-fashioned tea room. Try the
unfortunate-sounding but tasty speciality Brienzer Krapfen: pastries filled with dried
pears.

| Cafe

Getting There & Away