Lauenensee
Lake Scenic twin lakes in Canton Bern popular for hiking
A pair of small alpine lakes in Bern with short hiking loops, picnic spots and mountain views; popular for day trips from nearby valleys.
Lauenensee is a pair of small alpine lakes in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland, near the village of Lauenen in the Bernese Oberland.
The two adjacent basins - commonly called the upper and lower lakes - are reached by short hikes from Lauenen and are popular for short walks, picnics and views of surrounding hills and forests.
The lakes are natural mountain basins formed by post-glacial processes and have long been part of local recreational routes.
They sit close to the village of Lauenen in the Bernese Oberland, within Canton Bern and within easy reach of the Gstaad area.
- Upper and lower basins: Two small adjacent basins lie close together and are connected by a stream; short marked trails from the village allow easy access to both lakes.
What to See #
- Upper Lauenensee: The upper basin of the pair of lakes, located immediately above the lower lake and linked to it by a short stream; accessible by walking trails from the village of Lauenen.
- Lower Lauenensee: The lower basin lying immediately below the upper lake, often reached on the same short circuit walk and used for picnics and shoreline viewpoints.
How to Get to Lauenensee #
Lauenensee is about 15-20 km northwest of the town of Fribourg and can be reached by car via route signs toward Lauenen/Lauenensee. The nearest larger transport hub is Bern; from there, regional trains and buses go to towns near the lake with final legs often by taxi or local bus. Parking is available at designated lots near the lakeshore.
Tips for Visiting Lauenensee #
- If visiting in summer, arrive early morning to avoid mid-day tourists and to catch the best light on the small islands.
- Hire a rowing boat from nearby inns rather than relying on public launches-local proprietors often know the shallow spots.
- Walk the short trail to the higher viewpoints and watch for the circular stone soothing pools formed by centuries of weather.
Best Time to Visit Lauenensee #
Best in summer for swimming and boating; shoulder seasons offer quieter visits with good hiking weather.
Weather & Climate near Lauenensee #
Lauenensee's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 18°C. Abundant rainfall (1190 mm/year), wettest in December.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 0°C and lows of -6°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -6°C. Significant rainfall (121 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -2°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -5°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (128 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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