Hello,
I am looking for recommendations for are any good swimming holes (river, lake, etc.) in the Bernese Oberland. I think the Europeans call it "natural swimming".
We will be in Interlaken for 7 days and will be doing some day trips. We are traveling with 4 children ages 9-14 and i think finding a local swimming hole would be great fun!
Thank you!!
My friend who lives in Thun recently took her son swimming in the River Aare in Thun, which is a 30 – 40 minute train ride from Interlaken and slightly longer by bus, so it’s a great day trip from Interlaken.
Schwäbis River Pool in Thun
https://www.interlaken.ch/en/experiences/poi/schwaebis-river-pool
Thun is a lovely city with interesting architecture, castles, parks, wooden sluice bridges over the river, and a beautiful lake front walk. You have great views of the Alps (including Eiger) from the lakeshore. There are nice restaurants along the river and near the swimming area.
There is a beautiful public park, Schadaupark, on the shores of Lake Thun, and a 19th century castle, Schloss Schadau, which includes a miniature steam train.
Oberhofen Castle is further out from Thun and has pleasant gardens as well.
You can also take a cruise on Lake Thun for all or part of the journey from Interlaken.
https://www.interlaken.ch/en/experiences/lakes-waterfalls/lake-thun/cruises-on-lake-thun
There are open air markets on Wednesday and Saturday.
http://www.thun.ch/life/shopping/markets.html?L=1
For the summer, there are several special events that are mostly free of charge through August 14.
“On Thursday evening, Thun City offers free round trips with the trampelworm as part of the evening sale. Start and finish are at the new organic evening market on Waisenhausplatz.
On Friday evening, the twelve bridges of Thun can be discovered with city guides from TTST. The free tour shows the best of the new city tour Thun's Bridges”
See more about the Trampelworm here:
All the best,
We once went to the lake in summer closeby in Austria. About froze our tails off.
Burgseeli is just above Interlaken in the village of Goldswil.
https://www.interlaken.ch/en/experiences/poi/burgseeli-lido
As was mentioned, swimming in the Aare river is very popular as well. There are safe areas to do this in Thun and Bern. You can also swim in the lake of Brienz or Lake of Thun. These last options might be somewhat cold...but it is pretty hot here right now 🥵 and it could be a good way to cool off.
