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Unveiling 3 Days of Winter’s Magic in Interlaken
Too often, Interlaken is typecast as a winter haven solely for ski and snowboard enthusiasts. Yet, beneath its snow-capped vistas lies an array of experiences beyond the slopes. This 3-day itinerary is dedicated to showcasing the multifaceted allure of Interlaken during its frost-kissed months. It helps you understand why visiting Interlaken in winter should be a bucket list essential for all.
Balmers Hostels offers a 20% discount promotion when you book 3+ nights during wintertime
Day 1: Travel to Interlaken
Welcome to Interlaken
A stunning gateway to the Swiss Alps, today focuses on settling in and getting your first taste of this charming town, surrounded by mountains and lakes.
Getting to the Hostel
Upon arrival, your booking confirmation emails allow free bus rides to the hostel. No need to show anything to the bus driver; just enter in the middle of the bus and sit down. But ensure you can show your booking confirmation email if there is a random inspection.
- Bus Options: 104 or 105
- Departure Point: Interlaken West train station
- Destination: Matten b. I., Hotel Sonne
Luggage Room
Although room check-in begins at 4 p.m., guests can store their bags in the luggage area upon arrival. Need a quick nap? Check out the Balmers Hammock room! While check-in starts at 4 p.m., guests can already use common areas and facilities.
Explore Interlaken
Interlaken is compact and ideal for exploration on foot. Recommended sites include the historic market square of Unterseen, the beautiful garden of the casino, and the Höhematte park for panoramic views of the Jungfrau mountain.
Day 2: Discover the Lauterbrunnen Valley
Enchanting Lauterbrunnen
- Costs: Between CHF 21.00 and CHF 37.40
Prepare to be enchanted by Lauterbrunnen, a quintessential town in a serene valley adorned with cascading waterfalls. If it’s cold enough, you’ll see natural ice sculptures crafted by the frozen waterfalls. When temperatures rise, the melted snow from above the valley makes the waterfalls grow in size. As you delve into the heart of the Swiss Alps today, remember to capture moments on camera and in memory. You’ll likely remember this day for the rest of your life.
How to Get to Lauterbrunnen
- Bus 105 from Matten b. I., Hotel Sonne to Wilderswil bahnhof. (Included in your free bus ticket)
- Train from Wilderswil to Lauterbrunnen. (12 CHF for a return ticket)
Exploring Lauterbrunnen
Wandering towards the Staubbachfall waterfall feels magical. If weather permits, walk up the stairs to view the valley from beyond the waterfall. Don’t miss the Airtime Cafe, our favorite coffee spot. Then, take a cable car up the mountain. It takes you 800 meters up the mountain in less than 10 minutes.
Cable Car: Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp (9 CHF one-way)
From the Grütschalp cable car, a beautiful hiking path leads to Mürren. This path is open year-round, even in snow. It takes between 1-1.5 hours, but the viewing points might make you linger longer.
Hike Details
- From: Grütschalp to Lauterbrunnen
- AllTrails: Link (Walk the trail in reverse)
- Length: 4.5 km
- Difficulty: Easy
Once you reach Mürren, you can buy fresh cheese and bread at the local supermarket. Find a beautiful spot for a picnic and take in the beautiful views. It’s the cheapest and most Swiss lunch experience you can find! Elevate your picnic with a beer or wine, as it’s legal to drink alcohol outdoors in Switzerland. Afterward, either walk or take a cable car to Gimmelwald.
After lunch, you can walk down or take a cable car to the cutest town of all, Gimmelwald. Walking around this little picturesque village is precisely the cute little town you expect to find in Switzerland.
Hike or Cable Car Options
- Hike: Mürren to Gimmelwald (3.1 km, Easy, AllTrails: Link)
- Cable Car: Mürren to Gimmelwald (6 CHF one-way)
After you have spent some time in Gimmelwald, it’s time to go back to the valley of the waterfalls. You again have the option to either take a cable car or to talk the trail down. Be aware that this trail part is much steeper than the previous one. So we’d recommend you take the cable car, especially if you have sore knees or feet.
Return Options to Stechelberg
- Hike: Gimmelwald to Stechelberg (5 km, Hard, AllTrails: Link – Trail continues to Lauterbrunnen)
- Cable Car: Gimmelwald to Schelberg (6 CHF one-way)
Once you arrive in Stechelberg, I hope you still have some energy left! The trail that takes you back to Lauterbrunnen Valley is astonishingly beautiful! The massive walls on either side will make you feel small and forget about those painful feet. If walking is no longer an option, you can also take a bus from Stechelberg to Lauterbrunnen.
Return Options to Lauterbrunnen
- Hike: Stechelberg to Mürren (5,1 km, Easy, AllTrails: Link)
- Bus 141 Stechelberg, Schilthornbahn to Lauterbrunnen, Bahnhof (4.40 CHF for a one-way ticket)
Once you arrive in Lauterbrunnen, you can take the train back to Wilderswil train station. From here, you can then take bus 105 back to the Hostel. Give your muscles a chance to relax by jumping in our jacuzzi, cooking a nutritious meal, and sharing stories with fellow travelers at the fireplace.
Day 3: Choose Your Adventure
Paragliding
Tandem paragliding is Interlaken’s most popular outdoor activity! You’ll often see more paragliders in the sky than birds. Whether summer or winter, you won’t regret booking a paragliding flight in Interlaken! There is no better way to enjoy the clear blue water of the lakes, the rivers flowing through town, and the snow-covered mountain peaks in the background. Make sure to book this activity ahead of time! You’ll receive a full refund if your flight is canceled due to bad weather conditions.
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- Price: 190 CHF per person
- Duration: 1.5 Hours (15-20 minutes in the air)
- Includes: Free pickup from the hostel
- Booking: Link
Winter Kayaking
One of our favorite activities in winter is the guided kayak tour from Hightide. Enjoy the beautiful and peaceful surroundings on a sunny day, or discover the mystical beauty of the lake on a cloudy, rainy, or snowy day. Wrapped up warm in one of our dry suits and with a thermos of hot tea, you’ll feel like an actor in a winter fairy tale. Book this activity ahead of time, as spots fill up quickly!
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- Price: 130 CHF per person
- Duration: 3 Hours (2 hours kayaking)
- Includes: Pictures, dry suit, kayak, and guide
- Booking: Link
Visit Grindelwald
It’s honestly impossible to say whether or not Grindelwald is more impressive than the Lauterbrunnen Valley. The massive North Face of the famous Eiger peak creates an astonishing backdrop from wherever you look.
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Directions
- Bus 105 from Matten b. I., Hotel Sonne to Wilderswil Bahnhof. (Included in your free bus ticket)
- Train from Wilderswil to Grindelwald. (19.60 CHF for a return ticket)
Once in Grindelwald, wander around the town, drink hot chocolate, and enjoy the views. If your budget allows, take a cable car further up to First.
Cable Car to First
- From: Grindelwald, Firstbahn
- To: First (Grindelwald)
- Price: 34.00 CHF for a one-way ticket
When you arrive at the top of the cable car, you must do the famous cliff walk, which includes a thrilling glass viewing platform. After, you can hike to Bachalpsee or hike down to Grindelwald.
Night Sledding
Sledding is extremely popular in Switzerland, especially among adults! There are many dedicated sledding tracks around the Jungfrau region. Our favorite is the night sledding activity organized by Outdoor, which you can also book with a fondue dinner.
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- Price: 89 CHF (119 CHF incl. Fondue dinner)
- Duration: 3-4 hours (1 hour sledding)
- Includes: Sled, Cable Car ticket, Transportation, Guide
- Booking: Link
Day 4: Departure Day
As dawn breaks on your final day in Interlaken, take a moment to reflect on the memories crafted in the heart of the Swiss Alps. Even as departure approaches, you can still immerse yourself in one last adventure. With the beauty of the mountains as your backdrop, let’s make your concluding hours in Interlaken unforgettable.
Important Departure Notes
As your Interlaken winter adventure comes to an end, remember that check-out is at 10 a.m.! Before leaving the hostel, pack your bags, return the room key, and store your bags in the luggage room.
Final Explorations: Iseltwald
After these formalities, make the most of your last moments in this winter wonderland. Visit the fairy-tale-like town of Iseltwald. Saunter alongside serene waters and maybe even hike to the Giesbach waterfalls. An Interlaken winter trip isn’t complete without soaking in the serene beauty of its surroundings. Keep an eye on the time, as the bus back to Interlaken goes once an hour.
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- Bus 103 from Interlaken, Kursaal to Iseltwald, Dorfplatz (price is included in your free bus ticket)
- Hike from Iseltwald via Giesbach Waterfalls to Iseltwald (11.6 km, moderate, AllTrails: Link)
Farewell to Interlaken
As you depart, carry with you the memories, experiences, and magic of Interlaken winter. Whether you explored snowy landscapes, indulged in winter sports, or simply enjoyed the tranquil beauty of the region, Interlaken in winter is an experience that stays with you. We hope to see you again, perhaps for another season’s unique charm.
