The most beautiful biking route in the Bernese Oberland: around Lake Thun

Biking around Lake Thun had been on my “to-do” list for a long time. I don’t know how it’s possible, but there was always something else getting in the way—the weather wasn’t right, I didn’t have the time, or I simply had other plans (yes, I still prefer hiking to cycling). But when Pedalmondo contacted me asking if I’d like to try out their tour and gravel bikes as part of a collaboration, I knew within seconds where I’d go: around Lake Thun, of course. And so, one Saturday in April, my husband and I set off on a nearly 50-kilometer route around one of Switzerland’s most beautiful lakes.

NOTE: This article was created in collaboration with Pedalmondo.

The Lake Thun Cycling Route: What to Expect?

Most of the route runs on asphalt, along marked bike paths, or in a bike lane alongside the road. The entire loop around the lake is ideal even for more leisurely riders. Yes, we did encounter quite a few “high-performance” riders on road bikes who were racking up the miles at a brisk pace. But that wasn’t our case.

We set off from the parking lot at the local Strämu bathing area in the direction of the train station. From the station, we continued as if toward the city center, but after crossing the Sinnebrücke bridge, we turned right and then continued toward the Kunstmuseum and on to Hilterfingen, Oberhofen, through Gunten, Merligen, all the way to Unterseen.

We stayed on the bike lane along the main road the whole time, but this isn’t an official numbered route. That route doesn’t start until Unterseen, where you connect to bike routes 8 and 9. After passing through Spiez, you’ll leave the marked bike route again and continue on the bike lane along the road (and still along the lake) all the way back to the starting point.

Along the way, we followed this map from the Komoot app, but we rode it in the opposite direction (I’ll explain why at the end of the article).

How does bike rental work at Pedalmondo?

As I mentioned, we rented bikes. Renting a bike in Switzerland makes sense if you’re flying in but also have your heart set on an active vacation. And biking along a beautiful route fits that vision perfectly. That’s exactly when the option to simply rent a bike comes in handy.

The entire bike rental process with Pedalmondo is very simple: you reserve a bike in advance on the Pedalmondo website and pick it up at the scheduled time. But what I appreciated most was the flexibility in planning my route. You aren’t limited to a loop route where you have to return to the same place to drop off the bike. For example, you can pick up a bike in Bern and, by arrangement and for a small fee, return it elsewhere—such as in Thun, Interlaken, or another city—right at the train station. Pedalmondo will handle the return transport.

At the same time, bike rental is also an attractive option for those who already own a bike. Maybe you ride a road bike or a mountain bike, but you’re tempted to try something different—like a touring bike with bags—and set off on a multi-day trip across Switzerland. Renting gives you the freedom to experiment without investing in new equipment.

The Most Beautiful Stops Along the Route Around Lake Thun

Practically every few kilometers, you’ll have a reason to stop, slow down, and simply enjoy where you are. Just the views alone—wow! If you want to start off gently, it’s worth spending a moment right at the beginning exploring Thun itself. The historic center, the wooden bridges over the Aare River, and the mountain views create a stunning backdrop. At Aarequai, you can grab a coffee at one of the countless cafés and restaurants and get yourself in the right mood for your bike ride.

As you continue along the lake, you’ll come across one landmark after another. The entire northern shore of the lake is literally dotted with castles—first the elegant Schloss Schadau, right in the town of Schloss Thun, a little further on the romantic Schloss Hünegg, and then one of the most photogenic castles in Switzerland, Schloss Oberhofen, which stands right on the lake’s shore. This is where those iconic photos are taken—the ones that look so great on Instagram 🙂

The 10 most beautiful castles in Switzerland

Continue on until you reach St. Beatus Caves. The St. Beatus Caves are a unique place, and if you’re up for a short detour (and a chance to cool off in the caves), they’re definitely worth a visit.

On the other side of the lake lies Interlaken, but we didn’t make our way into the center. However, if this is your first time here, feel free to plan a detour—it’s one of the most famous places in the region, a tourist “hub.” One of my personal highlights was the small villages of Därligen and Faulensee. Quaint, peaceful, with views of the lake.

And then comes the finale in Spiez. If there’s such a thing as the “icing on the cake,” it’s Spiez—the vineyards, the bay, the castle, and the Grand Tour of Switzerland photo frame, which is just begging for you to take a souvenir photo of your bike ride.

A touring bike or a gravel bike around Lake Thun?

I had a “touring/trekking” bike, and my significant other had a “gravel bike”—and thanks to that, we were able to compare which type of bike suited each of us better and whether it was suitable for the route in question.

A touring bike is the ideal choice for anyone planning a leisurely ride over longer distances, or even a multi-day trip. It has a more comfortable riding position and often comes equipped with a rack and bags. It’s a safe bet for bikepacking.

Gravel bike, on the other hand, is a slightly sportier option. At first glance, it resembles a road bike, but it has wider tires that allow it to handle not only asphalt but also gravel and light off-road terrain. It’s faster, more agile, and ideal for those who want to “enjoy” the ride a bit more and don’t mind a sportier riding position.

Both bikes handled the route around Lake Thun well. You can’t go wrong with either one—it’s more a matter of which riding style suits you better.

In Conclusion – My Tips and Recommendations

If you’re setting out on this route in the summer, be sure to pack your swimsuit. The area around Lake Thun is perfect for it—you’ll find a public swimming area (Strandbad) in almost every village, and plenty of spots along the way where you can simply spread out a towel and jump into the refreshing water.

I recommend riding clockwise. This way, the lake will be on your right, which is ideal not only for the views but also for practical reasons—you can easily stop anytime to take a photo or enjoy a short break by the water.

The route itself is very pleasant and well-marked. It runs mostly along bike lanes next to the road, and in some places along the sidewalk, and on the south side of the lake you’ll even find a separate bike path.

If you’re looking for a combination of beautiful nature, a relaxing ride, and stops that will make you keep braking for more “wow” views, then I definitely recommend this route.