Interlaken, the hikers dream

Discover the 5 must do hikes in Interlaken recommended and tested by our Super crew

One of, if not the biggest reason why Balmers Hostel is so popular is the ease of access to a number of fantastic hikes just on the door step or a short train journey to get to the trail head.

Easy hikes near Interlaken

Unless you are scaling walls or ridgelines, none of the trails in this region require any significant mountaineering skills or specialist equipment. The hike trails in Switzerland are all incredibly well marked and signposted so you should have no issue when on the hike with getting lost or being in any great danger. There are over 70 trails marked on the summer hiking map and that’s not including some of the longer-distance ones such as the Harder Grat which isn’t as easy as the blog posts that you read about it make it out to be.

The best hikes in the Jungfrau Region

Before embarking on your adventure, it’s worth noting that transportation can take up a significant portion of your budget. To save money, consider one of these popular travel passes:

Jungfrau Travel Pass: Covers unlimited travel in the Jungfrau region.
Bernese Oberland Pass: Includes areas like Bern, Lucerne, and Interlaken.
Swiss Travel Pass: Provides unlimited access to public transportation across Switzerland.
Swiss Half Fare Card: Offers a 50% discount on most tickets.
Guest card Interlaken

For more details on travel passes, check out our blog post: How to Get Around Interlaken.

Where to hike in Interlaken?

1. The Rugen

This trailhead is located a 5-minute walk from the hostel is only a brisk 30-40 minute hike to the top and is not all that challenging, if you know you are not as fit as you would like to be or want to kill an hour or 2 with doing something other than sitting on down on your phone then this is the one for you. You get great views of Interlaken and the two lakes, and it offers you a 360-degree view of Interlaken.

2. The Harder Kulm

Next on the list and one step up on the hiking scale of difficulty and the step up is quite considerable. The increase in difficulty is in the fact that there are no flat sections on the Harder Kulm; it is just up the entire way and down the entire way if you do not use the funicular. You can always take the funicular up or down in case you are tired. Remember to use your visitor’s card when purchasing your ticket for quite a discounted rate. The hike is about 1.5 hours either way and the top will not disappoint. They have an incredible glass-bottomed floor viewing point where you see the majestic Jungfrau, Monch, and Eiger mountains. There is even a cool little restaurant which used to be an old Monastery where you can enjoy lunch or a refreshing beer!

Please read our blog post about hiking the Harder Kulm in detail here.
From Harder Kulm, you can also start the Augstmatthorn Hike.

3. Lauterbrunnen: The Valley of 72 Waterfallss

Lauterbrunnen is one of the most iconic hiking destinations in the Jungfrau region, offering a mix of flat valley walks and panoramic mountain trails. This one is more of a loop through the bottom of the Lauterbrunnen valley and then across the top. It can be split into sections if you do not wish to hike the entire distance.

Here’s our recommended full-day itinerary:

Start your hike at Grutschalp
From Lauterbrunnen, take the cable car to Grutschalp, where you’ll find the start of the Mountain View Trail. This scenic route takes about 2–3 hours and leads you to the picturesque village of Mürren.
Explore Mürren and the North Face Trail
In Mürren, you can either stroll around this car-free alpine village or tackle the North Face Trail, a loop that showcases stunning views of the surrounding peaks.
Descend to Gimmelwald
Adventurous hikers can try the Via Ferrata route from Mürren to Gimmelwald (read more in our Via Ferrata Guide). Alternatively, take a leisurely walk down to Gimmelwald, a quaint village where you can purchase fresh produce from honor-system fridges stocked by local farmers.
Finish with a Valley Walk
From the Stechelberg station, follow a flat trail back to Lauterbrunnen. This peaceful walk through the valley is the perfect way to end your day.

For a detailed guide, check out our blog post on Hiking in Lauterbrunnen and what to do in Lauterbrunnen.

4. Grindelwald: Alpine Adventure Hub

Grindelwald is the ideal base for hikers, offering trails that range from relaxing strolls to challenging alpine adventures.

You need to take a short 30-minute train to get here but once there it is an open valley, sunny for most of the day and you are at the base of the famous Eiger North Face which is an alpinist dream.

Must-Do: First Cliff Walk

Take the cable car to First for the famous First Cliff Walk, a thrilling yet accessible experience offering breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks.

You can take a gondola to the new Tissot Cliff walk attached to the restaurant at First. You can always hike up from Grindelwald to First which is about 3-4 hours up. The majority of it is on a paved path so the trail is incredibly easy to follow with not much navigation.

When you arrive at First and have taken your share of selfies on the Cliff Walk there is the extra option to continue on for another 1 hour 1 way to Bachalpsee, which is a glacial, lake situated over 2000m above sea level. Words and pictures do not do it any justice. It looks like an infinity pool with a view and is most popular for a surprise engagement setting! Wink wink…

The trail is dotted with alpine wildflowers, cows with bells, and jaw-dropping glacial views, and is a must for anybody visiting the region. Once again due to the transportation infrastructure of Switzerland, you can access First via cable car if you wish to give your legs a rest during your time here if you have been hitting the trails hard.

Schnynige Platte to First

For a longer, more rewarding hike, start at Schnynige Platte (accessible by train from Wilderswil) and follow a stunning 5-hour trail along ridges and alpine lakes, finishing at First.

For a total 32.5km long with 2378m of elevation up and 1918 elevation down. It starts in Wilderwil, which is a few minute's bus ride from the hostel, and then rises up to the Schynige Platte. The Schynige Platte is where 16.2km of this trail starts which is the main chunk of it and it cannot be skipped with public transportation. The end of this section finishes at First which is previously mentioned in the last hike and offers you the choice if you are too tired to carry on to ride a cable car back down to Grindelwald. You can also take the charming original wooden train up and hike around the top of the Schynnige platter area.

Read our blog post about hiking in Schynige Platte here.

Eiger Trails

Get closer to the legendary Eiger mountain with options like the Männlichen to Eigergletscher hike or the Eiger Trail. For thrill-seekers, the Rotstock Via Ferrata offers an unforgettable adventure.

For detailed guides, visit our posts on:

5. Giessbach Falls: A Relaxing Half-Day Hike

For a more laid-back experience, the hike to Giessbach Falls is a perfect choice. Start in Iseltwald, a charming lakeside village accessible for free with your guest card. From there, follow a mostly flat trail along Lake Brienz, taking in the serene views.

The hike is about 3 hours round trip and leads you to the stunning Giessbach Falls, featuring 14 cascading tiers. Want more tips for this hike? Check out our blog post on Giessbach Falls.

What to bring for your hike in the Interlaken region

All of these hikes do not require much with regards to planning and preparation except for checking the weather report with the reception staff at Balmers Hostel before setting off along with packing snacks and energy food, lots of water, sunglasses, and of course good hiking shoes. Trainers will do fine too but no flip-flops or high heels! A camera or phone is ESSENTIAL for the hundreds of Insta glam pictures you can boast about afterward.

As with all hiking it is advisable to carry a rain jacket even with clear skies, and a working mobile phone in case you come into trouble too. The Swiss summers get hotter than you might think so sunblock is essential, arriving back at the hostel looking like a lobster might put a dampener on your plans for the next few days.
Common sense prevails and most locals are eager to help with any questions.

Curious fact:

You may come across little fridges outside farms, inside them you will find locally made cheese, milk, drinks, and cured sausages and hams. These work with an honesty box, so you can help yourself and leave money in the boxes where the farmers will pick it up later.

Switzerland has some of the best drinking water so be sure to bring a reusable water bottle (save the planet) and fill it up in any of the many water fountains. This water comes straight from the glacier and rumor has it, that it adds years to your life! Keep hydrated at all times!