There are many free hikes to take in order to view this stunning panorama of the Jungfrau region of mountains. We took a hike suggested by our hostel that took us to the top of Harder Kulm, which looks down upon Interlaken and out toward the mountains. (You can also ride a funicular to the top if you’re short on time or short of breathe for $14 to the top or $22 round trip.) The walk, which takes around three hours, is fairly steep the entire way so make sure to bring along a snack or meal and plenty of water for each person. Also, take plenty of breaks and enjoy the views on the way up; it is very easy to get caught up in the goal of getting to the top but it’s important to look around you on the way. Nestled at the top of Harder Kulm is a restaurant and gift shop to enjoy a coffee or beer before the hike back down. We took our lunch along to avoid paying for food and enjoyed a lovely picnic before taking loads of photos and making our way back down. (We think it worth mentioning that walking down a steep mountain can be hell on your shins and calves, so it is best to take your time.)
Hostels in Interlaken mix young energy with rustic outdoorsy spirit to create a social environment focused on reveling in the beauty of the outdoors. The two most well-known hostels in Interlaken are Funny Farm (www.funny-farm.ch/) and Balmer’s Herberge (www.balmers.com). We’ve stayed in the latter twice and had great experiences both times. There is a decent-sized kitchen, games room, night club, nourishing free breakfast, extensive outdoor seating, and a desk to book adventure sports. The rooms are very affordable, running around $28 for a dorm-style room and in the $30 range for private rooms. While we haven’t stayed at Funny Farm, we have heard nothing but good reviews from fellow backpackers. The hostel has loads of perks, including a pool area, bar and nightclub, and nightly bonfire. Both of these hostels are located within walking distance from the train station with a great market just around the corner (although we will warn you that food is not the cheapest in this area due to its remote location).
When creating your budget, Interlaken may be a place where you will want to spend some cash if you love extreme sports. The sky above the village is always littered with skydivers, hang gliders, and paragliders. Other potential outdoor activities include ice climbing, rafting, canyoning (basically like rafting without a boat), skiing, sledding, mountain biking, and snowboarding, which can be arranged through www.outdoor-interlaken.ch among many other companies. These activities aren’t cheap, and we haven’t forked over the money to do any of them… yet. But a guy we met at Balmer’s said nothing beats falling into the Alps, and we believe him. If you aren’t as amped about falling from a plane but would still love the views, helicopter and airplane rides are also available.
An inexpensive excursion to get some adrenaline going while keeping your feet on the ground and staying (somewhat) dry is a hike to Trummelbach Falls, the only glacial waterfalls in Europe that can be viewed from inside a mountain. Steps carved from the mountain that hang out over raging water that is only inches away with barely a handrail to hold onto is an amazing way to view 10 glacial falls melting from Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Take your raincoat because the force of the water sprays mist through the caverns and the temperature drops dramatically. You can walk eight miles from Interlaken or take a train to Lauterbrunnen to get to the falls. A bus can take you from the station to the entrance of the falls, but a pleasant, scenic walk along the river among the mountains is free. The falls are a UNESCO World Heritage Site so there is a $12 fee, but it is well worth the money.
Many people take the train to “The Top of Europe” (www.jungfraubahn.ch), which is the continent’s highest railway station that offers amazing panoramic views. The location houses a restaurant, hikes onto the glaciers, and an ice palace. The day-long journey to the top is expensive--around $200 for a return ticket. We only suggest paying this large sum if you have dreamt of seeing the Alps more than any other place in the world.
Some other interesting Interlaken tidbits….
- There are 2 train stations, Interlaken West and Ost, so make sure you get off at the right one when heading to your hostel of choice.
- Switzerland’s currency is the Swiss Franc. Currently, one Franc is equivalent to $.96 according to www.xe.com.
- The Jungfrau railway trains, gondolas, and funiculars are not included on the Eurail pass, so be prepared to pay extra for those modes of transportation.
- There is a Hooters restaurant in Interlaken. There is no real point for mentioning this fact; we just thought it was funny.
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