Brienz
Switzerland · Bern · 566 m
Description
Brienz sits at the eastern end of Lake Brienz in the Bernese Oberland, a village of dark timber houses along a turquoise shore. It has been the centre of Swiss woodcarving since the nineteenth century and still houses the national woodcarving school, whose work appears on house fronts and signposts throughout the village. From the lakeside station the Brienz Rothorn Railway climbs to a summit at two thousand three hundred and fifty metres, the only Swiss cogwheel line that still runs steam locomotives in regular service. Just outside the village the Ballenberg open-air museum has reassembled a hundred historic rural buildings brought from every region of the country. Boats cross the lake to the Giessbach Falls, where a funicular from the landing stage climbs to a grand hotel of the Belle Époque.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 2 days (optimal 1 day)
Travel season
Best time to visit: June – September
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Brienz Rothorn Steam Railway (June - October)
- Ballenberg Swiss Open-Air Museum (April - October)
- Lake Brienz
- Giessbach Falls(Day trip)
- Swiss Woodcarving School
- Brienz Lakeside Promenade
- Steamship Lötschberg
- Brienzer Rothorn Summit
- Grandhotel Giessbach(Day trip)
- Brienz Wooden Houses
- Axalp
- Schnitzlerweg Woodcarving Trail
- Brienz Reformed Church
- Interlaken(Day trip)
- Aare Gorge(Day trip)
Getting there
- Train stations:
- Brienz