Page 84 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Switzerland

1 \-=
INTERLAKEN,

THUNERSEE

AND BRIENZERSEE
EXPERIENCE Mittelland, Bernese Oberland and Valais

! C4–D4 ⌂ 148 km (92 miles) SE of Bern 4 Thunersee: www.bls.ch;
Brienzersee: www.steamchen.com n Interlaken: Marktgasse 1,
www.interlaken.ch; Brienzersee: Hauptstrasse 143, Brienz, 033
952 80 80
The modern town of Interlaken lies on a narrow strip of land
between two lakes, Thunersee and Brienzersee. Surrounded
by the craggy Bernese Alps, the two beautiful lakes are home
to postcard-pretty towns, as well as a variety of water sports.
Interlaken owes its name to the 12th-century monastery founded here,
named Inter Lacus, meaning “between lakes” in Latin. Today a popular
resort, the town makes an excellent base for mountaineers and hikers in
summer and for skiers in winter, as well as for visitors looking to make the most
of the surrounding lakes. Almost 18 km (11 miles) long and 4 km (2.5 miles)
wide, Thunersee is the larger of the two lakes, and offers many kinds of water
sports, including sailing and diving. Castles also grace the waterside in the
towns of Thun, Oberhofen and Spiez. East of Interlaken, the clear waters of
Brienzersee stretch out beneath forested slopes and waterfalls. Some 14 km
(9 miles) long and almost 3 km (2 miles) wide, Brienzersee is smaller and less
developed than Thunersee, making it much more appealing to anglers.

The charming wooden
chalets of Thun, clustered
on the banks of Thunersee
84

084-085_EW_Switzerland.indd 84 14/11/2018 13:34

EW Must-see template v2.1 – 18th October 2018
Fonts: Aptifer Sans LT Pro, Posterama Text, Soho Gothic
Pro, Soho Pro, ITC Caslon 224