Lake Brienz Loop
Short facts
- start: Interlaken East, railway station
- destination: Interlaken East, railway station
- medium
- 37,92 km
- 2 hours 40 minutes
- 791 m
- 760 m
- 564 m
- 60 / 100
- 60 / 100
best season
Starting at Interlaken Ost railway station, this tour leads alongside the River Aare to the tall iron railway bridge. After a winding ascent and riding through Ringgenberg village, continue along the surfaced road that winds its way over the quarry. From here, an unsurfaced road leads to the village of Niederried. The views of turquoise blue Lake Brienz are stunning. After passing Oberried, it's time to tackle the next ascent towards Ebligen. You will cross two suspension bridges before you reach Brienz. Follow the main road through Brienz until you reach the signposted turnoff for Iseltwald. This is where the most challenging section of the tour, namely the steep ascent in the direction of Axalp, starts. Make sure you don't miss the turnoff towards the Giessbach Falls. An unsurfaced road leads you through an idyllic landscape to Iseltwald. From Iseltwald, follow the quiet lakeside road to Bönigen. From here, a riverside gravel path leads you back to Interlaken Ost railway station.
General information
Directions
Interlaken - Ringgenberg - Niederried - Oberried - Brienz - Giessbach - Iseltwald - Bönigen - Interlaken
The route is passable in the opposite direction as well:
Interlaken - Bönigen - Iseltwald - Giessbach - Brienz - Oberried - Niederried - Ringgenberg - Interlaken
Tip
Along the Lake Brienz shoreline, you will come across scenic bathing lidos for a cool dip and charming restaurants where you can refresh yourself for the next ascent. You can either take the higher trail or the lakeside trail from Brienz to Interlaken. Travel time on the lakeside trail is shorter.
Public transit
Der Startpunkt ist direkt beim Bahnhof Interlaken Ost, welcher bequem mit Bahn und Bus erreichbar ist.
Additional Information
The suspension bridge over the Unterweidligraben (above Ebligen) is dismantled in winter and reinstalled in spring. Check the website of the municipality of Oberried to see if the suspension bridge has been reinstalled: www.oberried.ch/schnellzugriff/aktuelles
Information regarding duration, fitness requirements and technique depend on the chosen bike type (i.e. mountain bike, e-bike, touring bike, racing bike). These are approximate guidelines.
Interlaken Tourismus
Marktgasse 1
CH-3800 Interlaken
0041 33 826 53 00
[email protected]
www.interlaken.ch
Pavings
- Street (65%)
- Hiking Trail (35%)
Weather

This tour is presented by: Interlaken Tourismus