Town and country in perfect harmony
Bern & the Oberland
As your train chugs upwards, the views become ever more impressive: the deep valley with sheer-sided walls, the towering peaks covered in snow, the forbidding North Face of the Eiger. Welcome to the Bernese Oberland, a landscape so spectacular it inspired Tolkien to create his own world. And yet this epitome of alpine scenery is only an hour from Bern, the charming Swiss capital with its historic old town. No wonder this region is a favourite for those seeking balm for the mind, body and spirit. This is Switzerland at its most uplifting.
Feel the Bern
Switzerland’s compact yet atmospheric capital is perfect for exploring on foot with your own personal guide. And while you’re being wowed by the medieval architecture, graceful cathedral and elegant guild houses, you’ll learn a few local secrets, such as why the street signs are different colours. With the Alps dominating the horizon and the city’s towers piercing the skyline, Bern is an urban delight.
Climb to the top
The views from Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest train station, will take your breath away. Literally. Up at 3454m the air is noticeably thinner, and your legs decidedly heavier, so take it slowly, breathe deeply and soak in the spectacular panorama over rivers of ice and mountains of rock. Once you’ve acclimatised, maybe head out with one of our experts across the glacier for a thrilling hike.
Ring your own bell
There are few things more Swiss than cow bells, but what if you could make your own? This unique opportunity is an experience to treasure, along with the bell itself. We visit a local foundry where you’ll choose the tone, shape and decoration for your bell, which is then cast and polished – with you following the whole process from mould to bell.
Live the high life
If there’s one Swiss village that typifies luxury lifestyle and alpine chic, then it’s Gstaad in the Bernese Oberland. Its car-free centre of swish hotels and posh boutiques is a pleasure to stroll around, or indulge in a horse-and-carriage ride. But hiking paths and ski slopes are right outside the village, or you can hit the heights of Glacier 3000, with a host of cool activities.
Taste the adventure
If you crave more than scenic hikes and great train rides, then the Bernese Oberland is your adventure playground. Whitewater rafting and tandem paragliding are just the thing for adrenaline junkies who want their thrills to come with a giant dollop of mountain scenery. Or try a Via Ferrata, which will have you reaching places and seeing views that normally only experienced climbers can achieve.
Bern & the Oberland in brief
The canton of Bern is the second largest in Switzerland so comes with its fair share of famous places: Interlaken with its two lakes, the Emmental with its green hills, the Lauterbrunnen Valley with its high waterfalls. Officially Bern is a bilingual canton, with French as the minority language, though all the cows seem to speak the same language – Canton Bern has more cows than anywhere else in Switzerland. This region also includes the neighbouring canton of Fribourg, with the towns of cheesy Gruyères and pretty Murten.
When to go
All year
Why go there
Urban delight
Mountain scenery
Traditional life
What to see
Bern
Jungfraujoch
Gstaad
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