--- title: "Between water and mountains: the shore of Lake Brienz" url: "https://www.brienzersee.ch/en/experiences/tour/between-water-and-mountains-the-shore-of-lake-brienz" description: "The starting point is the former fishing village of Iseltwald. At the lido, the promenade ends and the shore path begins. Following gentle ups and downs, the route follows the shoreline. Occasionally, the path leads directly to the water, then overcomes some inaccessible shore sections. After about halfway to Giessbach, you pass a lovely forest grill area. At the fork shortly before the boat dock, keep right and climb up to the Grandhotel Giessbach. This hotel was slated for demolition in the 1970s and now shines in new splendor. Just before the Grandhotel, below Europe's oldest still existing funicular railway – the Giessbachbahn –, turn right; you go up to a small road. Here a short detour is worthwhile to look behind the (water) curtain – a magnificent view opens up from the Giessbach Falls past the spraying waters to the Grandhotel and Lake Brienz. After the detour, follow the hiking trail eastwards, where shortly afterwards the only significant ascent has to be mastered. Then it gently descends to the houses at Engi. After crossing under the highway, you have an impressive view of the lake from the Bottenbalm Bridge. The signposts to Brienz now continue along the shore. You pass the Aaregg campsite and the Seegärtli before reaching the endpoint – Brienz train station. Background: In the 1970s, the section of highway A8 between Interlaken and Brienz was built on the southeast side of Lake Brienz – and as compensation for this intervention in nature, the canton of Bern created a hiking trail that runs almost entirely directly along the lake. In 2023, the 140-meter-long pedestrian bridge Bottenbalm Bridge, located 40 meters above the lake, was reopened. It is attached to the concrete substructure of the highway viaduct." language: "en" type: "SportsActivityLocation" image: "https://img.oastatic.com/img2/622365273/max/variant.jpg" breadcrumb: "Root > www.brienzersee.ch > Experiences > Tour" --- GPX Share Between water and mountains: the shore of Lake Brienz ===================================================== - 10.69 km long - Difficulty: medium - Condition: medium - Great panorama - Hiking Trail The picturesque Brienzersee shore with a magnificent view of the mountains. - 3:10 h - 10.69 km - 330 m - 330 m - 564 m - 741 m - 177 m - - Start: Iseltwald - Destination: Brienz **The hike along the shore of Lake Brienz is perfect for warm summer days: little elevation, not too long and mostly shaded. A highlight is the Grandhotel Giessbach, built in 1875 / 76, once the most prestigious address in the Bernese Oberland.** The starting point is the former fishing village of Iseltwald. At the lido, the promenade ends and the shore path begins. Following gentle ups and downs, the route follows the shoreline. Occasionally, the path leads directly to the water, then overcomes some inaccessible shore sections. After about halfway to Giessbach, you pass a lovely forest grill area. At the fork shortly before the boat dock, keep right and climb up to the Grandhotel Giessbach. This hotel was slated for demolition in the 1970s and now shines in new splendor. Just before the Grandhotel, below Europe's oldest still existing funicular railway – the Giessbachbahn –, turn right; you go up to a small road. Here a short detour is worthwhile to look behind the (water) curtain – a magnificent view opens up from the Giessbach Falls past the spraying waters to the Grandhotel and Lake Brienz. After the detour, follow the hiking trail eastwards, where shortly afterwards the only significant ascent has to be mastered. Then it gently descends to the houses at Engi. After crossing under the highway, you have an impressive view of the lake from the Bottenbalm Bridge. The signposts to Brienz now continue along the shore. You pass the Aaregg campsite and the Seegärtli before reaching the endpoint – Brienz train station. **Background**: In the 1970s, the section of highway A8 between Interlaken and Brienz was built on the southeast side of Lake Brienz – and as compensation for this intervention in nature, the canton of Bern created a hiking trail that runs almost entirely directly along the lake. In 2023, the 140-meter-long pedestrian bridge Bottenbalm Bridge, located 40 meters above the lake, was reopened. It is attached to the concrete substructure of the highway viaduct. Read more Berner Wanderwege Good to know ------------ Pavements Street (12%) Asphalt (9%) Path (48%) Trail (24%) Gravel (8%) Best to visit suitable Depends on weather - Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec Directions Iseltwald – Schwand – Giessbach – Engi – Aaregg – Brienz Read more Equipment We recommend the following equipment: light trekking shoes, light backpack, sun protection, rain jacket, first aid kit, light picnic, sufficient liquids, mobile phone. Read more Directions & Parking facilities **Public transportation****Outbound**: by bus or boat to Iseltwald**Return**: by train from Brienz Read more Additional information Berner Wanderwege, 031 340 01 01, , Read more Literature Read more License (master data) Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author If you have swimwear with you, along the route you will find several idyllic bathing spots for a refreshing dip – in one of the coldest lakes in Switzerland. If you descend from the Grandhotel to the boat landing stage and take the boat to Iseltwald or Brienz, the hike shortens to about two hours. Read more Safety guidelines This route runs exclusively on signposted paths of the category **hiking trail**. Read more Map **swisstopo hiking map:** 254T Interlaken Read more Nearby ------ View on map - Event - Fair - Advent & Christmas Markets - Gastronomy - Place of interest - Point of view - parking - children's / water playground - Tours 8.57 km - Hiking Trail 18.20 km - Hiking Trail 20.04 km - Hiking Trail - Webcams - Media **outdooractive** Contact 3807 Iseltwald Download GPX file - - - -