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what to do near Interlaken for 1 day

We are staying at a guest house in Merligen, not far from Interlaken for 2 nights. I would love to do some light hiking (2-3 hours),....but not sure what else. This is our first trip to Switzerland. I'm looking for recommendations:
- where to hike (where should we get maps?)
- any cafe/restaurant recs - or places to buy picnic supplies
- we love experiences - I saw some posts regarding cheesemaking, but not sure if there are any close to where we will be....or anything else you think would be fun

Thanks for any help on activities!

Posted by
7209 posts

You're staying close to one of the most beautiful places in the world. So unless you're just glued to Merligen for a particular reason, pick up and move your destination to the Lauterbrunnen Valley (accessible via Interlaken) and be right in the middle of all the things you are looking forward to seeing in Switzerland.

Posted by
16893 posts

The recent cheese making posts were, indeed, about the Lauterbrunnen Valley that Tim mentions and which is well covered in Rick Steves' Switzerland guidebook. See suggestions and links on the previous posts, as well as this one for local transport. There's a wide variety of hiking, with maps available at the local tourists office. Picnic supplies are available in Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Muerren, and probably other spots (but not in the smaller village of Gimmelwald). There is also a café with the best view in the world at the top of the Mt. Schilthorn lift; you can get an early-bird lift discount and go up for breakfast.

Posted by
3218 posts

We had one day in Interlaken and on the advice of our innkeeper, we took the train to Lauterbrunnen and spent a wonderful day hiking next to the waterfalls. It was like the Yosemite Valley on steroids.

Posted by
32523 posts

do you actually mean Merlingen, on the north shore of Lake Thun, or is it possible that you mean Meiringen just past the end of Lake Brienz, and a place I know well and love?