5 Epic Day Hikes in the Bernese Oberland Region, Switzerland
The Bernese Oberland region in Switzerland is one of the most stunning places in Europe. By far my most beloved part of the country.
This region is an absolute outdoor heaven with high glaciated peaks, vertical rock walls, incredible mountains, and enchanting alpine lakes. And you’ll find some of the world’s happiest cows here!
I’ve spent many summers and winters here, and this article highlights 5 epic day hikes you can do in the Bernese Oberland. The last time I was in Switzerland, I documented all the trail information and tips you need to know.
Put on your hiking gear and safely explore what this region offers.
About the Bernese Oberland Region
The Bernese Oberland, known as the Bernese Highlands, is only a short train ride from Bern. It’s the highest region and southernmost part of the canton Bern. You’ll find the northern side of the Bernese Alps - one of the most diverse areas of Switzerland. Be prepared to be blown away by its beauty.
Expect breathtaking views, monumental mountain ranges, savage nature, lush forests, and crispy alpine lakes. The region is famous for mountains like Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, including Jungfraujoch - the Top of Europe.
Lake Thun and Lake Brienz are the two largest lakes. There are plenty of outdoor activities to do in summer, like swimming in crystal-clear waters, exploring nature parks, and attending local folk festivities. The region turns into 550 kilometers of cross-country skiing trails, winter hiking, snowshoe trails, and other touring opportunities in winter.
This already makes it worth visiting!
Before You Start Hiking
Before you take off hiking already (I don’t blame ya), there are a few things you need to know to help you make the most of your journey.
The best time to hike in Switzerland is from May to September. That’s when temperatures range from 15C to around 30C. High season is around July and August, so expect more people on the trails during those months. Start hiking early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid most crowds.
Remember that the weather can change in a heartbeat. Afternoon thunderstorms are quite common throughout the summer. Take this into account when planning a trip. That means safety first! Always make sure to wear appropriate hiking gear and bring a good amount of water and food.
Switzerland is rich in cultural heritage and nature… but it can also drain your wallet quickly. If you plan to travel through Switzerland on a budget, it’s wise to collect travel passes, discount tickets for public transport, hotel guest cards (if you stay in hotels), and similar cards that enable you to travel cheaper.
Public transport here is excellent. It’s effortless, comfortable, and extensive. I comfortably traveled through the region by train and bus.
A large public transport network interconnects the entire mountain range. There are tunnels underneath entire mountains, so you’ll get to where you want to go quickly.
The classic yellow Postauto buses pick you up and drop you off at the easiest starting points. They climb up steep and winding roads, no matter the weather, to serve entire mountain communities. Check their website for timetables and available tickets.
I recommend getting the Swiss Half Fare Card to save money on public transport. You can purchase unlimited 50%-discount tickets for trains, buses, boats, mountain railways, and other public transport services with this card. This card is valid for one month. A single adult ticket costs around €125.
A similar option is the Swiss Travel Pass. You get unlimited access to travel by train, bus, and boat. The pass is valid for 3 to 15 consecutive days - perfect if you only stay a few days. The price for a single adult 3-day-ticket traveling in 2nd class starts at €245.
Switzerland doesn’t charge money to visit mountain areas or require hiking permits. However, bring some extra cash with you on the trails. There are little self-service storage facilities along some hikes. You can buy cheese, sausages, and other local food and stuff. Drop the money in a box for farmers to collect at the end of the day.
Download the free Alltrails app and the Switzerland Mobility app. Two great apps for anyone out and about on any hiking trail. Both are easy to use, and they work offline. You have access to detailed information about almost any hike in Switzerland. Depending on the connection, the two apps should do the trick.
Hike the Alpine Lake Hinterstockensee, Oberstockensee & Stockhorn Summit
Distance: 9,3 km
Elevation gain: 348 m
Hiking level: easy - moderate
Average time: 3 hours
Take the cable car from Erlenbach im Simmental (Erlenbach iS) to the 2190 m high Stockhorn and visit the incredible viewpoint. The view extends from the Jura all the way to Lake Thun.
You can also choose to make half the journey by cable car to the Chrindi middle station. While the Simmental Valley below is busy, you’re immersed in silence and tranquility up here.
Exiting the Chrindi middle station, you see the Hinterstockensee’s shimmering blue-green colours. A circular trail leads around the lake. Halfway through, you’ll find a rock path carved into the mountain that leads up to the Sagenhütte. From there, you descend to the Oberstockensee - another emerald-green alpine lake with lush green meadows and pine trees.
There’s another circular hike around the lake. The path goes almost all the way along the water to the Wanderweg Vorderstocke. You pass a small mountain restaurant and take a left turn to descend to the Hinterstockensee via the Holzbrücke. This bridge gives an excellent view of the lake and its small island in the centre. The path leads you through a thick forest with rare mountain flowers.
Hike to the Chrindi cable car middle station again and take the Stockhornbahn down to the Erlenbach valley.
2. Panorama Hike to Alpine Lake Seebergsee via Menigwald & Meniggrat
Distance: 12,8 km
Evelation gain: 1008 m
Hiking level: fairly easy
Average time: 4 hours
Discover this hike in Naturpark Diemtigtal, Zweisimmen. Seebergsee is a picturesque mountain lake with clear water, surrounded by steep rock walls, some tree patches and great viewpoints.
Reach Lake Seeberg by car, bike, or on foot from Diemtigtal via Zwischenflüh or from Simmental via Grubenwald. If you travel by public transport, I advise you to take a Postauto to Zwischenflüh, Seebergstrasse. Or you can exit at Zwischenflüh, Haueten. You can start hiking from both stations.
The trail follows the Menigbach stream through beautiful forests to the Seebergsee (1837 m). Along the way, stop at the mountain restaurant Sennhütte Menigwald for good local food and drinks.
Continue your journey through Menigwald and reach the top for incredible panoramic views. Hike past the Seeberg restaurant and make your way to the Seebergsee. Follow the trail on the right side of the lake to have an exceptional view of the lake from higher up. The trail continues behind the steep rocks around the lake to the Gubi trail and Stierenberg and back to the lake.
3. Hike Alpine Lake Gantrischseeli via Leiterepass & Morgetepass
Distance: 14,1 m
Elevation gain: 725 m
Hiking level: easy - moderate
Average time: 3.5 hours
This hike follows two mountain passes, Leiterepass and Morgetepass, through Gantrisch Nature Park.
Take the postbus to Gurnigel, Wasserscheide. Start your hike by following the Gurnigel road to the right and follow the path along the Kalte Sense stream. You’ll stumble upon the magnificent alpine lake Gantrischseeli between forests and surrounding peaks.
The path continues on Gurnigel to the Morgetepass. Once you reach the top, you’ll have incredible panoramic Alps views. There is a little self-service box with great local cheese. If you get there early, you might be lucky to buy some!
Hike further up to the Schibenspitz (2060 m) and even further to the Gantrisch summit (2175 m). You can also choose to hike down to the Leiterepass (1905 m), just around the Gantrisch summit. Take a left turn on the hiking trail where you cross the Gantrisch Klettersteig and continue your way down the Alp Obernünenen valley. This trail leads you back to the Gurnigel starting point.
I recommend you bring lots of sunscreen and water. There’s not much shelter, and you’re exposed to the sun often on this trail. It can be quite hot hiking with minimal shade. Always check the weather forecast and bring appropriate clothing to be comfortable!
Tip: go early in the morning and watch the sunrise from the Gantrischseeli. The rising sun popping from behind the peaks is quite a sight to see.
4. Hike from Kandersteg to Alpine Lake Oeschinensee
Distance: 13 km
Elevation gain: 614 m
Hiking level: easy - moderate
Average time: 3 hours
This hike starts in Kandersteg valley and leads you to Lake Oeschinen until you reach Oberbärglibach waterfall and then down again to Kandersteg.
The Oeschinensee is one of the most famous alpine lakes in Switzerland. Perhaps the most famous one. With a normal water level, the lake is also one of the largest mountain lakes in the country.
This lake is spectacular and surrounded by the high mountains of Doldenhorn and Blüemlisalp.
From Kandersteg, you follow the Oeschibach stream up to Oeschinensee. This part is pretty easy, but you can choose various hiking trails to make it more challenging. You can also take the Oeschinensee cable car to make the trip to and from the lake faster.
Once you reach the lake, take a left. Follow the hiking trail along the water through the forest. Each viewpoint is more impressive than the previous one.
Continue to climb up to the Oberbärglibach waterfall. You’ll cross some amazing places to rest and take in the view, so definitely do that. You take the same hiking trail down via Oeschinensee to return to Kandersteg.
Tip: To continue your journey and reach higher altitudes, hike to Hohtürli until you reach the Blüemlisalphütte. In this mountain hut, you can spend the night. So much fun! Enjoying a wonderful sunset and sunrise from this spot is worth booking your stay. You can return to Kandersteg the next day or continue your hike down to Kiental valley.
5. High-Altitude Hike Schynige Platte to Grindelwald First via Faulhorn
Distance: 16,9 km
Elevation gain: 781 m
Hiking level: moderate
Average time: 6 hours
This journey starts at Wilderswil where you can take the nostalgic Schynige Platte Railway up to the trailhead at Schynigge Platte (1967 m). You start hiking from this point all the way past Faulhorn to Grindelwald First. Then, you take the gondola down to Grindelwald and hop on a train back to Wilderswil.
This high-altitude hike leads you from one peak to another. What’s great about this hike is that the view is always amazing. On your left, you have incredible views of Thunersee (Lake Thun) and Brienzersee (Lake Brienz). On your right, the famous Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains watch over you while you put one foot in front of the other.
About ⅔ in, you reach the Faulhorn. If you have enough energy left in your legs and the weather is good, definitely climb the steep trail to the Faulhorn summit (2681 m). There’s a 19th-century mountain hotel where you can have a drink and relax in a lounge chair while enjoying unbelievable views of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. (See the first picture in this blog.)
Continue your way down to the famous Bachalpsee and eventually reach the Grindelwald First cable car station. The views are impeccable from the top of Lake Bachalp.
Make sure to reach Grindelwald First before 6 pm because the last gondola down to Grindelwald leaves then.
