Between water and mountains: the shore of Lake Brienz

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.