Bernese Oberland in Spring • 20 Best Hikes & Activities (2025)

If you are traveling to the Bernese Oberland region and Interlaken during spring, you will need to choose your activities carefully. In April and May, the mountains will still be covered in snow and many services closed as they prepare for summer season.

However, there are still many fun things to do, including mountain viewpoints, waterfalls, gorges and low elevation hikes. Below are our top suggestions for the Bernese Oberland region in spring.

Note: I’ve updated the scheduled 2025 opening dates for mountain transport and attractions. But check exact opening times with each destination as they can change last minute.

Map of Spring Activities

Our Switzerland Travel Guide mobile app shows all activities and hikes on a map, where you can filter for just things open in April and/or May. It also has a sample spring itinerary for the Bernese Oberland and other parts of Switzerland.

Waterfalls, Rivers & Lakes

These waterfalls are all accessible in spring and it’s a good time to come when the snow is melting and water volume is high. Some also have short hikes.

1. Trümmelbach falls

Opens the beginning of April

Glacier water carves through the mountain to create these impressive waterfalls in the Lauterbrunnen valley.

You pay an entrance fee, then ride an elevator up the cliffs. Then you wander inside the cavern on stone steps and walkways, admiring the rushing water from various viewpoints.

Plan about 1 hour for your visit. The falls are easily accessible by car or bus from Lauterbrunnen.

See details for Trümmelbach falls 

2. Giessbach Waterfalls

Funicular runs from 12 April 2025

One of our favorite spring outings is the Giessbach falls near Interlaken. You start with a ferry ride to the base of the falls, then a vintage funicular ride up to the historic Giessbach hotel, which has a nice view of the falls and lake below. You can optionally hike up the falls to get a closer look.

In April, the ferry schedule is very infrequent, maybe just once a day each way. So plan your day carefully. Definitely make a reservation at the restaurant if you want to eat.

See details for Giessbach falls

3. Aare Gorge

Opens 12 April 2025

The Aareschlucht is a narrow river gorge that you can walk through on a raised walkway over the rushing river. It’s an easy 1.6 km walk through the gorge.

You can walk back the way you came or take a train. The gorge is a short drive or train ride from Interlaken. 

See details for Aare Gorge.

4. Reichenbach falls

Open 3 May 2025

These beautiful waterfalls is where Sherlock Holmes met his demise in the famous books. A vintage funicular train takes you up to a viewing platform over the falls, then a short hike up to get a closer look.

For a bit more fun, you can rent fat tire kick scooters and ride back down to the valley. You can buy a combo ticket with the Aare Gorge, which is very close-by.

See details for Reichenbach falls

5. Grindelwald gorge

Around 3 May 2025, opening date based on snow conditions

This narrow gorge near Grindelwald was carved by a river flowing out of the glacier above it. After paying the entrance fee, you can walk on an elevated walkway about 870m into the gorge and return the same way.

Inside the gorge, there is a huge 170m² “spiderweb” net stretched across the gorge where you can jump around. For an extra fee, you can do the crazy “canyon swing” where you freewall from 90m above the canyon and swing up to 120km/h through the canyon. 

See details for Grindelwald gorge

6. Cruise on Lake Thun

There is a lake on either side of Interlaken, Lake Thun or Lake Brienz, and both offer lake cruises, which is a great way to see the mountain views during spring. See my post about cruising on Lake Thun.

Low elevation hikes

7. Staubbach Falls & Lauterbrunnen valley

Open year round

The walk down the Lauterbrunnen valley is always open, with mountain views and dozens of waterfalls spilling over the cliff walls on either side.

It’s an easy stroll on a private country road sometimes along the river. It’s about 4.3 km from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg, where you can catch a bus back to your starting point. 

See details for Lauterbrunnen Valley Walk

8. Aeschi bei Spiez – Bench Trail

Best starting late April 

This trail wanders through tiny villages and grassy fields in the hills just west of Interlaken. It has beautiful views of Lake Thun and the surrounding mountains.

No gondola required for this one, so you can hike anytime. This trail is also an official winter trail, groomed in winter.

Trail:

Learn more about the Aeschi bei Spiez Bench trail

9. Heimwehflue

Open from 29 March 2025

You can walk or ride a funicular to the top of this hill overlooking Interlaken. At the top, there is a restaurant, playground, and lookout tower. For a bit of fun, you can ride the short alpine coaster. If you want to hike, there are trails crisscrossing this hill, so you can walk as short or long as you like.

See details for Heimwehfluh (from Hana at OurSwissExperience.com)

10. Ballenberg Open-air Museum

Open starting 10 April 2025

You’ll feel like you are hiking through the alps as you explore this large open-air “museum” that squeezes all of Switzerland into a 164 acre park. Ballenberg a variety of cultural and historical buildings to explore. Depending on the weather, it might still have snow patches here and there but you should still be able to enjoy it. Enough amusements for a full day.

See detailed post for Ballenberg Open-air Museum

11. Lungernsee

Open year round, best starting late April

This beautiful lake can be reached directly by car or train, not relying on mountain transport. There is an easy 10km path around the lake, which is open any time of year if there is no snow. There are also two waterfalls along the path that should be flowing by April. The lake water level can be quite low in April so set your expectations.

See details for Lungernsee lake path

12. Lake Thun Panorama Loop

If you want a longer hike, the long distance “Panorama Rundweg Thunersee” goes completely around Lake Thun. The full distance is 63km, divided into 4 stages. Learn more.

We hiked Stage 4 of this trail, between Spiez and Thun, which we really enjoyed on a day when the mountains were covered in clouds. We particularly liked hiking through Spiez, visiting the castle and walking through the vineyards around the village. This section was 14 km and took us about 4 hours. See trail info.

It does not require mountain transport, so you don’t have to worry about those being open. But do check the bus schedules, which can be limited in spring. 

Mountain Hikes – weather dependent

The mountain railways for the following areas open in May, but that doesn’t mean the trails are open. So check the live status before putting on your hiking shoes.

13. Männlichen viewpoint

Gondola open 24 May 2025

The Grindelwald-Männlichen gondola opens for summer season at the end of May. If there is no snow, you can do the short the Royal Walk (40 mins round trip) up to the higher viewpoint. 

The other hiking trails from Männlichen aren’t likely to be free of snow until early June or later. But you can check the trail status here. The options are the Lieselotte activity trail for kids or easy panorama trail to Kleine Scheidegg (90 mins). 

14. Oeschinensee

Gondola open 10 May 2025

The Kandersteg gondola opens for summer season in early May, giving you a short walk to the Oeschinensee, a beautiful alpine lake west of Interlaken. At the lake shore, you’ll find restaurants and picnic areas along the water. Learn more about Oeschinensee.

 

It’s not safe to hike the panorama trail above the lake until the snow has melted and officials have verified the safety of the area. Make sure to check the Oeschinensee website for trail status.

In early May 2024, despite this trail being officially closed, many people were hiking on this trail when an avalanche from the upper peaks triggered a landslide that hit the trail. The landslide killed one person and 62 people had to be rescued off the mountain. See news report.

Mountain Viewpoints (no hike)

The Bernese Oberland has a few mountain tops that are open either year round or early in spring. In April, these mountains will be covered in snow. But you can enjoy fantastic views from the mountain railways, observation decks and restaurant terraces. 

Tip: These mountain top outings are expensive and usually crowded with tourists. Make sure to check the webcams before buying your tickets. No point in going up if you can’t see anything.

15. Jungfraujoch glacier viewpoint & visitor center

Open year round

Perhaps the most popular destination in the Bernese Oberland is the Jungfraujoch. From Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen, it’s a long journey on cable cars and cogwheel railways to reach a tourist complex with a variety of amusements. The main attraction is a view of the Aletsch glacier, the longest in the alps at 22 km.

This is an expensive outing, over CHF 200/adult (discounts with travel cards), so it’s not my first choice for most travelers (see my video explaining why). The other activities below are much less expensive and still have amazing views.

See details for Jungfraujoch

If you want to hike, there is a path from the Jungfraujoch leading to the Mönchjochhütte mountain hut, which opens in mid-March. You exit the Jungfraujoch complex to the snow and join the groomed winter trail to the hut (about 45 mins each way). You can eat at the hut and even sleep overnight (reservation required). More info about the Mönchjochhütte.

16. Schilthorn viewpoint

New opening 15 March 2025, then open year round

Another popular excursion in the Jungfrau Region is riding cable cars to the Schilthorn observation deck at 2970m. This outing is about half the price of the Jungfraujoch and we think the views are just as nice. At the top, you’ll find a few amusements including a cliff walk at the Birg middle station.

See details for Schilthorn

17. Mt Niesen

Open 26 April 2025

You ride two funicular trains to this viewpoint at 2363m over the Bernese Oberland region. At the top, there is a restaurant with a large panorama terrace. There is a short walk up to an observation deck, from which you can see Lake Thun and Interlaken as shown below. In summer, you can hike down the mountain, but not possible in April.

See details for Niesen • check webcam

18. Niederhorn viewpoint

Beginning of May

A short drive or bus ride from Interlaken to Beatenbucht, where you ride a funicular then cable car up the mountain to Niederhorn at 1963m. At the top, there is a restaurant with outdoor seating and a small playground.

Then a short walk to a protected viewing area over the cliffs, with a view towards Thun and Bern. Even more fun in summer when you hike along the ridge.

See details for Niederhorn • check webcam

19. Harder Kulm

Open starting 5 April 2025

This funicular leaves directly from Interlaken, near the train station. It takes you to a viewpoint at 1322m over Interlaken, lakes and mountain range.

At the top, there is a viewpoint platform, restaurant with an outdoor terrace, and small playground. 

See more info about Harder Kulm

20. Rainy day in the Bernese Oberland

Keep a few of these up your sleeve for when the weather turns. Some are a bit of a drive from Interlaken.

• Explore the Beatenberg caves just 20 mins north of Interlaken.
• Tour a cheese factory at Emmental Schaukäserei and sample dozens of Swiss cookies at Kambly, both an hour drive from Interlaken.
• Soak in thermal baths at Sole Uno or Bernaqua or let the kids loose on indoor water slides at Aquabasilea, both 1hr30 drive north of Interlaken, near Basel.
• Family friendly museums like Trauffer in Brienz, or Museum of Communication or Zentrum Paul Klee in Bern.

Winter trails on snow

In April, the mountains are covered in snow. But a few mountains in the Jungfrau Region near Interlaken may have their lifts running and winter trails open through mid April. If you visit during this time, you may be able to hike on winter trails with groomed snow. Before doing any of these winter activities, check the Jungfrau Region snow report to see what’s open. 

My first choice would be the Männlichen Royal Walk , about 40 mins round trip from the gondola station.

 

Or you could visit Grindelwald First cliff walk and hike on the winter trail towards the Bachalpsee. The gondola that accesses this trail runs continuously through spring. But they may not be grooming this winter walk in April because it’s off season. I would check the website and call ahead to make sure. 

Here are other winter walks in this area I would recommend, assuming they are open. See more winter hikes in the Jungfrau Region.

• Winter walk from Grütschalp to Mürren – 4.5 km one way, parallels mountain train (shown in pic below)
• Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg – about 2.5 hrs

Summer Season Opening Dates 2025

Here’s a quick reference for the scheduled summer opening dates for popular cable cars and mountain railways in the Bernese Oberland and Jungfrau Region. Trails and other service may not open until later in the season. So check trail status and opening times carefully before making plans.

See also our favorite summer hikes near Interlaken (for travel starting in June).

Open all spring

• Jungfraujoch – via Eiger Express gondola or Wengen-Kleine Scheidegg mountain train
• Grindelwald First cable car and zip line (go carts + scooters scheduled for 1 May 2024 if no snow)
• Stechelberg – Mürren

15 March 2025

• Mürren – Schilthorn – new opening

5 April 2025

• Harder Kulm funicular
• probably Trümmelbach Falls

10 April 2025

• Ballenberg open-air living museum

12 April 2025

• Aare Gorge (east entrance opens later 10 May 2025)
• Giessbach Falls funicular

26 April 2025

• Niesen

3 May 2025

• Lauterbrunnen – Grütschalp cable car – Mürren BLM train
• Niederhorn (not confirmed, closed until at least 30 April 2025)
• Reichenbach Falls funicular
• Grindelwald Glacier Gorge (opening date flexible based on snow, check status)

10 May 2025

• Pfingstegg
• Oeschinensee gondola

17 May 2025

• Grindelwald – Kleine Scheidegg mountain train

24 May 2025

• Männichen cable cars from Grindelwald and Wengen – for Royal Walk & cow playground
• Hasliberg gondola to Mägisalp – for Muggestutz and Marble Run kids trails 

29 May 2025

• Allmendhubel funicular – for Flower Park Playground

7 June 2025

• Brienzer Rothorn

14 June 2025

• Schynige Platte
• Hasliberg Alpen Tower and Käserstatt lifts