Biking around Lake Brienz: a beautiful but challenging cycling route

Last time on this blog, I raved about the beauty of Lake Thun—a relaxing bike path and postcard-perfect views. In that spirit, we were looking for a route for our next bike trip. Naturally, our choice immediately fell on the “neighboring” lake—Lake Brienz. But if I thought another flat, idyllic ride along the water was in store for me, I was sorely mistaken. Here, every view comes at the cost of a steep climb. To help you prepare for what lies ahead, I’ve put together an article about this 37-kilometer route around Lake Brienz.

Lake Brienz, or Brienzersee

Lake Brienz is located in the heart of the Bernese Oberland, between the towns of Interlaken and Brienz. It is approximately 14 kilometers long and about 2.8 kilometers wide, with a maximum depth of around 260 meters.

The lake is known for its characteristic turquoise color, caused by fine glacial sediments. Its main tributary is the Aare River, which flows into the lake from the east and out of it to the west toward Lake Thun.

Starting Point – Interlaken

We chose Interlaken as the starting point for our bike route (logically, because it was closest to us). In reality, however, you can tailor the route entirely to your preferences—starting in Brienz, for example, or anywhere else along the way where you can park easily or arrive by train.

Arriving by train: to Interlaken-Ost station or any station on the Zentralbahn line between Interlaken and Brienz.

Arriving by car/Parking: You can park right next to the station at Parkplatz on Unterebönigstrasse. Parking for up to 5 hours (which is more than enough time for your bike trip) costs 5 CHF. If you’re tempted to park for free at one of the supermarkets (which are open on Sundays in Interlaken), be aware that the maximum parking time is limited to one hour, and your car may be towed after that.

Starting along the northern shore of the lake

From the parking lot, we headed toward the train station, then crossed the bridge past the Harder Bahn valley station and continued along the road toward Goldswil. In the next village, Ringgenberg, signs indicated that we should turn onto mountain bike trail 451. But since there wasn’t much traffic on the road and we also saw other cyclists riding that way, we continued on through Niederried and Oberried. A beautiful, easy route with no significant elevation gain. After about 17 kilometers, we arrived in Brienz.

Brienz

Compared to the bustling Interlaken, Brienz is a slightly smaller tourist hotspot—the atmosphere here is much calmer and more authentic. At the same time, Brienz serves as the starting point for the legendary Brienz Rothorn Bahn—a historic steam cog railway that takes you all the way to the summit of the Brienzer Rothorn (2,350 m above sea level). And then there’s a little hidden gem: Brunngasse. This narrow cobblestone street, lined with traditional 18th-century wooden houses, is often called one of the most beautiful streets in Switzerland—yet it still retains its tranquility.

Giessbach Falls

In Brienz, you’ll join bike routes 8 and 9 and continue toward Giessbach Falls. And this is where the first major climb begins. Right at the foot of the hill, a sign warns you that you’ll be climbing 150 meters over a distance of 2 kilometers. And all this on a road barely wide enough for one car (two have to squeeze past each other in the opposite direction), plus a Postauto bus honking its way through the winding turns. But then your reward awaits: the Giessbach Falls. Here, the water plunges in several cascades from a height of over 400 meters, creating a magnificent scene. You have to walk your bike through the waterfall area, but at least that way you can savor the views of this beauty. If you need to refuel after the climb, the iconic Grandhotel Giessbach is the perfect stop. This historic hotel with a terrace offers not only great food but, above all, luxurious views.

Iseltwald

The route then continues mostly through the forest. There are some nice downhill sections, first on a forest gravel road (but be careful—there’s a steep drop-off on the other side), then on asphalt. After just under six kilometers, you’ll reach the village of Iseltwald. It’s a magnet for fans of the 16-episode South Korean Netflix series “Crash Landing on You.” In August 2019, a key scene was filmed on the T-shaped pier in Iseltwald. And right from here, another climb awaits you—a 100-meter elevation gain over 2 kilometers. But this is truly the last one. Then a long descent awaits you, followed by a leisurely ride along the lake shore all the way to Bönigen. From here, it’s just a short distance to the starting point.

Summary

Route length: approx. 37 km, about 3hrs cycling time
Direction: clockwise (ideally starting in Interlaken)
Profile: a combination of flat sections and more challenging climbs and descents (especially on the south side of the lake)
Difficulty: more suitable for advanced riders – this is not a route for beginners. If you are not in top physical condition, consider an e-bike.
Recommendation: if you don’t ride often or want a more leisurely option, consider a shorter section, e.g., Interlaken – Brienz.