8 Summer Adventures in the Swiss Alps

I have been to more than 50 countries and all seven continents and can confidently say that Switzerland is one of my most favorite places in the world. Located in the Bernese Oberland at the foot of the Bernese Alps, the Jungfrau Region is roughly halfway between Zurich and Geneva. High Alpine peaks, sweeping valleys, dazzling lakes, dramatic cliffs, towering waterfalls, rolling green hills adorned with happy Swiss cows, and fairytale mountain chalets with ornamental garden gnomes combine to make it insanely beautiful and charming in every direction year-round. The region is home to the Eiger and is a UNESCO World Heritage area that includes the towns of Grindelwald, Mürren, Lauterbrunnen, Interlaken, and Wengen. It’s true that during winters, it’s a skier’s paradise with long, steep slopes and uncrowded pistes, but it’s also a spectacular summer playground.

I first visited Interlaken when I was backpacking through Europe after college in the days before Instagram when you could still stumble upon magnificence. Based on a recommendation from a fellow Balmers Herberge Hostel stayer, my bestie and I made the short trip to Lauterbrunnen to visit Staubbach Falls. We found it so arrestingly glorious that it was hard to believe it was real. The cascading falls tumble down a massive rocky cliff nearly a thousand feet before reaching the lush green valley below. A nearby rickety old post-and-rail fence indicated a property line where stood a textbook Swiss cow complete with a large hammered steel cowbell like it was planted there for our amusement. If this were in the US, it would be a National Park, but here it’s someone’s backyard. We had the place to ourselves–something that would never happen in today’s world. Since then, Lauterbrunnen has gained fame as a popular BASE-jumping post and its waterfalls have become social media celebrities. I’m grateful I’ve been able to go there many times since, but I’ll always treasure my first privileged visit.

Here are my top 8 recommendations for the best summer adventures in the Jungfrau Region

Kayak Lake Brienz

Based in Interlaken, High Tide Kayak offers guided half-day paddleboarding and kayaking tours on the brilliant turquoise waters of Lake Brienz that include top-quality equipment, photos of the tour, and entrance to the beach. On the two-to-three-hour tour, you’ll be treated to breathtaking panoramas and sites like the historic 12th Century Riggenberg Castle. Tours are $130 USD (CHF 115) and usually operate even if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Hike Schynige Platte

Once you get to the Schynige Platte Visitor Center via cog railway, there are plenty of hiking trails to choose from ranging from the challenging 10-mile Schynige Platte to Faulhorn to First trail to the 3.7-mile Schynige Platte Panoramic Daube - Oberberghorn loop trail that features views of the Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau and Lake Brienz. Start your journey with coffee at the Panorama Restaurant and you’ll also get views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Kleine Scheidegg, and Männlichen. If you’re lucky you’ll get to see Alpenhorn players on the deck. Make time to do the Alpine Garden trails while you’re there and you might get to see some Edelweiss. Roundtrip tickets on the Scnige Platte cogwheel rail tickets from Wilderswil are $72 (CHF 64). Entrance to the Alpine Garden is included in the railway fare.

Visit the Top of Europe at Jungfraujoch

It sits at 11,715 feet (3,571 meters) and is the longest glacier in The Alps. It’s also Europe’s highest railway station and a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can get to Jungfraujoch in 45 minutes by taking the new Eiger Express tri-cable car from the Grindelwald Terminal. When you get to the top of Jungfraujoch aka the Top of Europe, you’ll be face-to-face with the Eiger. Tickets from the Grindelwald Terminal are $129 (CHF 113.50). Don’t skip the Tour of Ice Palace with ice sculptures and bring an insulated jacket, hat, and gloves.

Become a Swiss Chocolatier

At the Funky Chocolate Club in Interlaken, you can create taste, create, and decorate chocolate. You’re given an apron, chef’s hat, and all the necessary supplies and ingredients along with instruction from a professional chocolatier. Chocolate workshops take about an hour and are available in English. And yes, you get to keep the chocolate you make. Workshops are $79 (CHF 69) and are available seven days a week.

Go Tandem Paragliding

Tandem paragliding is an extremely popular activity in Interlaken. On your 20-minute flight, the skilled pilots from SkyWings will take photos and videos for you so you can relax and enjoy the peaceful ride and views of Interlaken far below. Each flight is $102 (CHF 90) and the adrenaline spike is included.

Book a Massage at the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel and Spa

Vacations can be stressful. Whether you’re staying at the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel and Spa or not, you should book a Nescens De-Stressing Massage. The elegant hotel is in the heart of Interlaken and is known for its world-class spa facilities. A 50-minute massage is $210 (CHF 185) and you’ll also want to plan time for enjoying the picturesque pool.

Have Some Adventures at Grindelwald First and Cliff Walk

Start your adventure by taking the Grindelwald First View walk to the vantage platform, which offers views of the highest peaks of the Bernese Oberland to the world-famous Eiger North Face and the mountains surrounding Grindelwald.

The First Flyer is a Flying Fox that flies riders 52 miles per hour through the air along a 2,624-foot steel cable. The First Glider is an eagle that takes four riders at a time backward from Schrekfeld and then forward to First at a speed of 51 miles per hour. First Mountain Carts are like mountain tricycles that you can ride nearly 1,200 feet from top-to-bottom along a natural dirt road. First Torttibikes are mountain scooters that you can take from Bort 1,857 feet down to Grindelwald past flower meadows, farmhouses, and happy Swiss cows. You can get there by taking the Grindelwald First Aerial Cableway , which costs $81.50 (CHF 72) from the Grindelwald station.

See the Staubbach Falls

Of the 72 waterfalls in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, the Staubbach Falls are the most famous. This is a year-round attraction, but these waterfalls are at their mightiest in early spring when the snow melts and the water is thick and thundery. They are free to visit and easy to get to. The town of Lauterbrunnen is worth a stroll through.

Eat Fondue at the Harder Kulm Panorama Restaurant

Easily accessible from the Interlaken Ost Station, you’ll take a 100-year-old funicular to the summit at 4,337 feet above sea level from the Harderbahn base station in just 10 minutes. The ride is scenic but you’ll also get amazing views of the mountains and lakes from the viewing decks at the Harder Kulm Panorama Restaurant.

You can plan on paying $50 per (CHF 44) adult for the funicular tickets. What’s a trip to Switzerland without a delicious fondue meal? While you dip your breads and other fondue accouterments, you’ll have views of Lake Thun, Lake Brienz, and the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. Download the SBB Mobile app to plan travel and purchase tickets.

Getting Around

One thing you will undoubtedly notice on your trip to Switzerland is how easy it is to get around. No one does people-movers better than the Swiss. The new Grindelwald Terminal is state-of-the-art and offers direct connections to the Bernese Oberland Railway. The tri-cable gondola Eiger Express to the Eiger Glacier and the 10-person aerial gondola to Männlichen start at this station. You can use Google Maps or Apple Maps to navigate between the villages, but there are also helpful transit system maps at the stations. Everything arrives and departs exactly on time from trains, funiculars, and cogwheel rails to buses and cable cars.

Where to Stay

If you’re looking for a classic quaint Swiss mountain village stay, Grindelwald is a great choice. Stay at the Hotel Schweizerhof and request a room with views of the Eiger. It’s a short walk from the train station and has a nice mix of authentic mountain chalet vibes with modern amenities. You can choose between traditional hotel rooms and junior suites in the main building, superior suites in the Grand Chalet, or even book an entire chalet. Rooms start at $685 (CHF 605) and can be booked directly on the hotel’s website.

If you’re looking to splurge, stay at the 5-Star Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel and Spa in Interlaken. It’s in a great location across from the park where paragliders land and it’s impeccably decorated. It has possibly the best breakfast buffet I’ve ever seen and a pool so grand you won’t want to leave. Rooms start at $1035 (CHF 15) and can be booked online through the hotel’s website.

Related: Skiing St. Anton – Exploring Austria’s Legendary Ski Slopes