Best Hikes Near Interlaken: Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen & Kandersteg (2026)
Interlaken sits between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz at the gateway to the Jungfrau region. It's the most popular base for hikers — but the hikes are all a short train ride away.
EasyBachalpsee from Grindelwald First
3.7 mi · 390 ft up · 2 hours round trip
♨ Soak after: Belvedere Swiss Quality Hotel, Sunstar Hotel Grindelwald
EasyMürren to Gimmelwald, Lauterbrunnen Valley
1.9 mi · 70 ft up · 45 minutes to 1 hour
♨ Soak after: Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, Belvedere Swiss Quality Hotel
ModerateOeschinensee Panorama Trail
5.6 mi · 1,640 ft up · 3–3.5 hours with photo stops
♨ Soak after: The Cambrian, Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
Travel times from Interlaken Ost
| Trailhead | Time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Grindelwald (First gondola) | 35 min | Train |
| Lauterbrunnen | 20 min | Train |
| Kandersteg (Oeschinensee) | ~1 h | Train via Spiez |
Where to soak near Interlaken
Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
Interlaken · Bern (Bernese Oberland)
Interlaken's landmark grand hotel with a 5,500 m² spa.
Check rates & availability →Belvedere Swiss Quality Hotel
Grindelwald · Bern (Bernese Oberland)
Spa hotel with Eiger views, walking distance from the Grindelwald First gondola.
Check rates & availability →Sunstar Hotel Grindelwald
Grindelwald · Bern (Bernese Oberland)
Mid-range spa hotel on the main street with an indoor pool.
Check rates & availability →The Cambrian
Adelboden · Bern (Bernese Oberland)
Famous for its heated outdoor infinity-edge pool facing the mountains.
Check rates & availability →Beatus Wellness- & Spa-Hotel
Merligen · Bern (Bernese Oberland)
Lakeside spa hotel on Lake Thun, 20 minutes from Interlaken.
Check rates & availability →Lenkerhof gourmet spa resort
Lenk · Bern (Bernese Oberland)
Spa resort with a sulfur-spring heritage in the Simmental valley.
Check rates & availability →Gstaad Palace
Gstaad · Bern (Bernese Oberland)
The classic Gstaad palace hotel, with a large spa.
Check rates & availability →The Alpina Gstaad
Gstaad · Bern (Bernese Oberland)
Chalet-style luxury hotel with a Six Senses Spa.
Check rates & availability →Grand Hotel Belvedere Wengen
Wengen · Bern (Bernese Oberland)
Historic grand hotel in car-free Wengen, above the Lauterbrunnen valley, with spa services.
Check rates & availability →Hotel Victoria Lauberhorn
Wengen · Bern (Bernese Oberland)
Mid-range Wengen hotel with a 33°C indoor pool — good value with Jungfrau views.
Check rates & availability →Hotel Eden Spiez
Spiez · Bern (Bernese Oberland)
Lake Thun hotel with the EDEN SPA and an indoor pool.
Check rates & availability →Parkhotel Gunten – Lake & Spa
Gunten · Bern (Bernese Oberland)
Lakeside spa hotel on the north shore of Lake Thun.
Check rates & availability →Solbadhotel Sigriswil
Sigriswil · Bern (Bernese Oberland)
Brine-pool hotel on a terrace above Lake Thun.
Check rates & availability →Beatenberg Resort & Spa
Beatenberg · Bern (Bernese Oberland)
Sunny-terrace resort above Interlaken with a spa and wide Alps views.
See rates nearby →FAQ
Is Interlaken a good base for hiking?
It's a convenient train hub with the most hotels, but every trailhead is 20–60 minutes away. Grindelwald, Wengen or Mürren put you closer to the trails.
What's the best hike near Interlaken for beginners?
Bachalpsee from Grindelwald First: a gondola up, then 1 hour of gentle walking to an alpine lake.
Is there a hike in Interlaken itself?
Harder Kulm, Interlaken's local mountain, has a funicular and a viewpoint over both lakes. The Hardergrat ridge from there is one of Switzerland's most extreme trails — experts only.