Lake Brienz
Lake Alpine lake with turquoise water near Interlaken
East of Interlaken, Lake Brienz shows clear, glacial‑fed water against steep pine slopes; boat cruises and the historic Giessbach Falls hotel attract photographers, while Brienz village remains known for woodcarving workshops and lakeside promenades.
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Lake Brienz (Brienzersee) is a glacial lake in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland, situated east of Interlaken. The lake sits at about 564 metres above sea level and is roughly 14 kilometres long.
The water is noted for its vivid turquoise colour set against steep, forested shorelines; boat services connect Brienz and Interlaken Ost, offering regular lake cruises. The northern shore features the Giessbach Falls and the historic Grandhotel Giessbach, both accessible by short walks and visible from lake boats.
The Brienzer Rothorn rises above the southern shore and is served by a historic steam rack railway from Brienz, providing panoramic viewpoints across the lake and the Bernese Alps.
Lake Brienz was formed by glacial erosion and has long been used for transport and local commerce; tourism developed around the lake in the 19th century with the arrival of steamboat services and alpine hotels.
The lake lies in the Bernese Oberland, immediately east of Interlaken and framed by high alpine slopes; settlements are concentrated along the northern and southern shores with road and boat access.
- Size and colour: Known for its striking turquoise water and steep forested shores; the lake sits at about 564 metres above sea level and is roughly 14 kilometres long.
- Best viewpoints: The Brienzer Rothorn summit and the Giessbach Falls provide two of the best panoramic viewpoints over the lake and surrounding Alps.
What to See #
- Brienz (town): The lakeside town that serves as the main gateway for boat services, the Brienz Rothorn rack railway and local tourism on the eastern shore.
- Iseltwald: A small lakeside village on the southern shore known for its picture-postcard quay and access to short lakeside walks.
- Giessbach Falls and Grandhotel Giessbach: A multi-tiered waterfall on the northern shore adjacent to a historic grand hotel, reachable by short path from the lakeside and visible from boats.
- Brienzer Rothorn Railway: A historic steam rack railway that climbs from Brienz to the summit of the Brienzer Rothorn, offering panoramic views over the lake and Bernese Alps.
How to Get to Lake Brienz #
Lake Brienz is reached easily from Interlaken Ost railway station in the Bernese Oberland; Interlaken is served by regular trains from Bern, Lucerne and Zurich. From Interlaken Ost you can walk (about 5-10 minutes) to the lakefront or take local trains (to Brienz) and seasonal boat services operated on Lake Brienz by BLS to lakeside villages such as Brienz and Iseltwald.
Tips for Visiting Lake Brienz #
- Take an early-morning BLS steamer from Interlaken Ost or Brienz for calm water, good light for photos, and access to smaller stops such as Iseltwald that are quieter before coach excursions arrive.
- Combine a lakeshore stroll from Brienz with the short funicular hike to Giessbach Falls and the Grandhotel Giessbach - the falls are one of the lake's highlights and are easiest to reach from the southern shore.
Best Time to Visit Lake Brienz #
Late spring through early autumn is the best time to enjoy Lake Brienz for warm weather and full activity options.
Weather & Climate near Lake Brienz #
Lake Brienz's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 23°C. Abundant rainfall (1202 mm/year), wettest in June.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (113 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (137 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Significant rainfall (130 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (133 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
