Breakfast
Birchermüesli and a coffee
Oats soaked with yoghurt, grated apple and nuts, a Swiss invention for the morning. Light and fresh before a day on foot.
Local tip Ask for it with fresh fruit when berries are in season.
Arrival day
Before Day 1. Switzerland runs on its trains, so work out the rail and the weather first and leave the car at home.Details
- From the airport
- Zurich is the usual airport for central Switzerland, with direct trains to Lucerne in about an hour. Geneva and Basel also work. The station is right at the airport, so there is no need for a taxi.
- Getting around
- Trains, lake boats, buses and cable cars link almost everything on this trip, and they run to a printed timetable. Look up the connections the evening before. A rail pass or point-to-point tickets both work, so check what suits your days.
- Where to sleep
- Lucerne for the first two nights, then Interlaken or one of the villages in the Lauterbrunnen valley for the last three. Beds fill early in summer and in the ski season, so book ahead. Pack for cold even in July, because the high stations are in snow all year.
- Before the first morning
- Day 1 is gentle and low. Walk across the old bridge at dusk, find the lake front and sleep well, because the mountain days start early. Watch the forecast, since the big views need a clear sky.
Day 1. Lucerne, bridge and lion
4 stops · 1.8 kmA gentle first day in a small old city on a lake. A covered wooden bridge, a stone lion carved into a cliff, the old wall on the hill and a slow evening along the water.
- 1MorningWorth the time
Chapel Bridge
A covered wooden footbridge across the Reuss, dating from the 14th century and rebuilt after a fire in 1993, with an old stone water tower beside it. Walk across slowly and look up at the painted panels under the roof.
Go when Early morning, before the tour groups arrive.
Local tip Walk the whole length and look up at the painted panels under the roof. Come back after dark, when the bridge and the tower are lit and the water is still.
Photo: Simon Koopmann, CC BY-SA 2.5 on Wikimedia Commons About 10 min walk0.8 km - 2MiddayWorth the time
Lion Monument
A huge lion carved into a rock face, dying with a spear in its side, in memory of the Swiss Guards killed in Paris in 1792. A quiet, moving place in a small garden with a pond.
Go when Midday, when the light falls on the rock face.
Local tip Stand by the pond and take a quiet minute. It is a memorial, so most people speak softly here.
Photo: Gürkan Sengün on Wikimedia Commons - Lunch
Älplermagronen
A Central Swiss mountain dish of macaroni, potatoes, cheese and onions, served with a spoon of apple sauce. Filling and plain.
Local tip Share a plate, since portions are large, and try the apple sauce even if it sounds odd.
About 5 min walk0.4 km - 3AfternoonWorth a short climb
Musegg Wall
Part of the medieval wall that once closed the old town, with several towers on the hill above the roofs. A short climb for a view over the city, the lake and the peaks. Check ahead on which towers are open.
Go when Afternoon, for the view over the roofs.
Local tip Walk up through the lanes behind the old town. Check ahead on which towers are open, because it is seasonal.
About 7 min walk0.6 km - 4EveningA place to sit
Lucerne lakefront
The promenade along the lake by the Seebrücke, with the boats, the swans and the mountains at the end of the water. A good place to finish the day and watch the light change.
Go when Evening, around sunset (about 9:23 PM).
Local tip Walk the promenade as far as you like and sit on a bench facing the mountains. The boats go quiet as the light fades.
Photo: Re 460, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons - Dinner
Perch fillets from the lake
Small fried or pan-cooked fillets of lake perch, called egli, with lemon and potatoes. A classic of the lakes.
Local tip Ask what came from the lake that day.
If it rains. A fine day for rain, with the covered bridge and the museums. If the lion looks grey, add the Swiss Museum of Transport, and walk the Musegg Wall when the rain stops.
Day 2. The Rigi and the lake
3 stops · 21.5 kmA mountain day on the lake. A cogwheel railway up the Rigi for the wide view, a lakeside village at the foot, and a boat back to Lucerne across the water.
- Travel from Lucerne lakefrontAbout 29 min by car or transit13.1 kmWhere Day 1 ended.
- 1MorningWorth the time
Rigi Kulm
The summit of the Rigi, a rounded mountain above Lake Lucerne with a view that reaches the Alps and several lakes. The railway from Vitznau is among the oldest mountain railways in Europe. Dress warmly and check ahead for the weather.
Go when Morning on a clear day, ideally the first or second day of good weather.
Local tip Check the forecast the night before, since the whole point is the view. Bring a warm layer and a hat even in summer, because the top is windy.
Photo: Murdockcrc, CC BY 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons - Lunch
A mountain plate of cheese and cured meat
Alpine cheese, dried beef and bread at a table with a view. The simplest hut lunch in the Alps.
Local tip Carry water as well, and keep some cash or a card for small places.
About 13 min by car or transit4.3 km - 2MiddayWorth a short stop
Vitznau
A small village on the lake at the foot of the Rigi, where the cogwheel railway begins. Stroll the waterfront, watch the boats and let your head clear after the top.
Go when Midday, after the mountain.
Local tip Walk along the water and have a drink at a lakeside table. The pier is where the boat to Lucerne leaves.
Photo: Oblic, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons About 13 min by car or transit4.1 km - 3AfternoonAn easy stop
Weggis
A lake village with a mild climate, where palm trees grow beside the water. A good place for a lakeside walk before the boat or bus back to Lucerne.
Go when Afternoon, on the way back to the city.
Local tip Take the lakeside path through the village and look for the palms. Go back to Lucerne by boat, so the day ends on the water.
Photo: Manfred Heyde, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons - Dinner
Rösti with a fried egg
Grated potatoes fried until crisp and topped with an egg, the Swiss everyday dish. Hearty after a day on the mountain.
Local tip Order a green salad on the side.
If it rains. The Rigi is wasted in cloud, since the view is the point. Swap this with a lake day: take a boat from Lucerne to Weggis and Vitznau and go up the Rigi tomorrow.
Day 3. Lake Brienz and Interlaken
4 stops · 64.3 kmA day of moving on, with good stops. The scenic rail over the pass to Brienz, a waterfall tumbling into the lake, then a funicular above Interlaken for the first big look at the Bernese Alps.
- Drive from WeggisAbout 53 min by car45.6 kmWhere Day 2 ended.
- Breakfast
Bread, butter and mountain honey
A Swiss breakfast spread of fresh bread, butter, jam and honey, with strong coffee.
Local tip Ask whether the butter and honey are local.
- 1MorningWorth the time
Giessbach Falls
A long series of cascades dropping through the forest into Lake Brienz. You can reach it by boat from Brienz and a short funicular, or on foot. The mist and the sound are part of it.
Go when Morning, when the mist is still in the trees.
Local tip Take the funicular up or the path through the woods. The path is damp and can be slippery, so wear shoes with a grip.
About 10 min by car or transit2.5 km - 2MiddayWorth a short visit
Brienz
A village at the end of the lake, known for wood carving, with old wooden houses and a calm waterfront. A good place for lunch before the last stretch to Interlaken.
Go when Midday, with a long lunch.
Local tip Look into a wood carving shop and walk to the lake front. The turquoise colour of the water is the glacier flour in it.
Photo by Kaspar Allenbach on Unsplash - Lunch
Whitefish from Lake Brienz
Pan-fried lake fish served with potatoes and a simple sauce, by the water.
Local tip Ask for the fish of the day.
About 30 min by car or transit14.8 km - 3AfternoonWorth the time
Harder Kulm
A viewpoint on the hill above Interlaken, reached by a funicular, with the town between two lakes below and the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau across the valley. A short walk from the top station to the platform.
Go when Late afternoon, for the light on the peaks.
Local tip Take the funicular and walk the last few minutes to the platform. Check ahead on when it runs, and bring a warm layer.
Photo by allPhoto Bangkok on Unsplash About 17 min walk1.4 km - 4EveningA place to sit
Höhematte
A wide meadow in the middle of Interlaken with the Jungfrau straight ahead over the roofs. Paragliders sometimes land here. A good place to sit on the grass in the long evening light.
Go when Evening, with the last light on the Jungfrau (about 9:23 PM).
Local tip Sit on the grass and watch the paragliders come down. It is the town's lawn, so be gentle with it.
- Dinner
A cheese fondue
A pot of melted Swiss cheese and white wine, eaten by dipping cubes of bread on long forks. A classic for a cool evening.
Local tip Share one pot between two or three people and order a pot of tea with it.
If it rains. The funicular at Interlaken is not worth it in cloud. Keep Giessbach, which is lovely wet, and spend the afternoon in Brienz among the wood carvers.
Day 4. The Lauterbrunnen valley
4 stops · 17.2 kmThe valley of waterfalls, between sheer rock walls. A fall that drops from the cliff beside the village, a set of falls inside the mountain, and two car-free villages high on the terrace above.
- Travel from HöhematteAbout 26 min by car or transit11.3 kmWhere Day 3 ended.
- 1MorningWorth the time
Staubbach Falls
A waterfall that drops straight off the cliff beside the village of Lauterbrunnen, one of the highest free-falling falls in Europe. It spreads into spray before it reaches the ground, and it is an easy walk from the station.
Go when Morning, when the valley is quiet.
Local tip It is an easy walk from the station. Walk up to the base for a closer look, and bring a light jacket for the spray.
Photo by Leo_Visions on Unsplash - Lunch
A picnic of bread, cheese and fruit
From a village bakery or a small shop, eaten on a bench or in a meadow with a waterfall in view.
Local tip Buy it the evening before so you can leave early.
About 9 min by car or transit2.4 km - 2MiddayWorth the time
Trümmelbach Falls
Ten glacier-fed waterfalls that thunder inside the mountain, reached by a tunnel lift and walkways cut into the rock. It is cool, wet and loud. Check ahead on the season and the water level.
Go when Midday, as a cool break from the sun.
Local tip The paths are wet and the noise is huge, so wear a jacket with a hood and shoes with a grip. Check ahead on the season and the water level.
About 25 min walk2.0 km - 3AfternoonWorth the time
Mürren
A car-free village on a high terrace with a view straight across to the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. You reach it by cable car and a short train. A calm place to walk and look.
Go when Afternoon, with the sun behind you on the peaks.
Local tip Walk the village and out along the terrace for the view. There are no cars, so the sound is mostly bells and wind.
Photo by dimitri.photography on Unsplash - Treat
Meringue with thick cream
Large crisp meringues served with a mound of thick local cream, a sweet from the Bernese Oberland. Good with a coffee on a terrace.
Local tip Share one, because they are very sweet.
About 17 min walk1.4 km - 4EveningA quiet walk
Gimmelwald
A tiny car-free village of wooden farmhouses on the slope below Mürren, with cattle bells and a long view. A short walk down from Mürren, and one of the quietest corners of the trip.
Go when Evening, around sunset (about 9:23 PM).
Local tip Walk down from Mürren along the lane between the farms and take the cable car or train back. Respect the working farms and keep to the paths.
Photo: Gooser, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons - Dinner
Raclette
A half wheel of cheese melted at the table and scraped over potatoes, with pickles. A good evening after a long day.
Local tip Go with a group, because it is made to share.
Photo: Ka23 13, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
If it rains. The Lauterbrunnen valley is made for rain, with the falls at their fullest. Skip Mürren if the cloud is down, and add the Trümmelbach Falls and a long lunch.
Day 5. Up to the Jungfraujoch
3 stops · 19.8 kmThe big mountain day. A railway climbs through tunnels inside the Eiger and the Mönch to a saddle among the glaciers, then you come down the other side into Grindelwald. Save it for the clearest day you have.
- Travel from GimmelwaldAbout 17 min by car or transit6.7 kmWhere Day 4 ended.
- Breakfast
A big breakfast before the climb
Bread, cheese, yoghurt and fruit, then a thermos of tea for the train.
Local tip Eat well and drink water, since the high air is thin and dry.
- 1MorningWorth the time
Kleine Scheidegg
A mountain pass at the foot of the Eiger north face, where the railways meet. Wide meadows, the big wall above you, and a view down both valleys. Dress for the cold.
Go when Early morning, on a clear day.
Local tip Look up at the north face of the Eiger and use the terrace for a warm drink before the rest of the climb. Carry a coat, hat and gloves.
Photo: Stéphane Enten, CC BY-SA 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons - Treat
Hot chocolate on the pass
A thick cup of hot chocolate on a terrace below the Eiger north face, warm and sweet on a cool morning.
Local tip Sit outdoors if the sun is out, with a blanket if one is offered.
About 14 min by car or transit4.6 km - 2MiddayWorth the time
Jungfraujoch
A saddle among the glaciers at over 3,400 meters, reached by a railway that climbs through tunnels inside the Eiger and the Mönch. The terraces look over the Aletsch Glacier, the largest glacier in the Alps. Take it slowly, because the air is thin, and check ahead for the weather.
Go when Midday on the clearest day of your week.
Local tip The air is thin, so walk slowly, drink water and sit down if you feel dizzy. Sunglasses and a warm coat are essential. Check ahead for the weather and for what is open.
Photo: Pmau, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons About 21 min by car or transit8.5 km - 3AfternoonWorth a short walk
Grindelwald
A village at the foot of the Eiger north face, with wooden chalets and a view up to the peaks. The railway comes down the other side of the pass, so you end in a different valley.
Go when Afternoon, as the end of the day.
Local tip Walk the main street and look up at the Eiger wall above the roofs. It is a calm place after the high snow.
Photo by Tran Mau Tri Tam ✪ on Unsplash - Dinner
Swiss chocolate to finish
A square of dark or milk chocolate from a village chocolatier, eaten on a bench with the Eiger above. A fine way to end the trip.
Local tip Buy a bar to take home, since it travels well.
If it rains. Do not go up to the Jungfraujoch in cloud, because there is no view and it is very cold. Check the webcams the night before and swap this day with a valley day for the first clear morning.
Departure day
After the last day. The trains are on time, so the main job is the bags and the connection.Details
- The last morning
- Do not plan a high lift for the day you leave. Cable cars and mountain railways can pause for wind, snow or low cloud. A slow breakfast and a walk on the Höhematte is a better last hour.
- To the airport
- Zurich is about two hours from Interlaken by train, with one change. Check the connection the night before and leave a generous margin.
- Luggage
- Many stations and some hotels will look after bags for a day. Ask the evening before, and keep a warm layer in your hand luggage.
- If the weather ate a day
- If cloud hid a mountain day, swap it for a valley day. The waterfalls and the lake boat are fine in light rain, and the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne is the best wet-day plan in the extras.
Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit Interlaken?
By average weather from 2021 to 2025, June and August to October are the most comfortable months for walking around Interlaken. This plan is built for late June, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
How many days does this plan cover?
It covers 5 days in Interlaken, planned for late June. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
Who is this plan for?
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
Is anything on this plan booked?
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Can I plan my own days like this?
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Can I change this plan?
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
How much walking is there?
Each day has about 1.8 to 18.7 kilometers between its stops, and 47.9 kilometers in all across 5 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
Keep exploring
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Make this plan yours
Make it yours in a minute, then move days around and add what you want.
A trip idea · Updated November 2026
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