The 11 best outdoor activities to do in Interlaken

You're staying in Interlaken in Switzerland? Why not enjoy this stay to discover the outdoor activities to do in Interlaken summer and winter? Discover our selection of the best 11!

Interlaken is located in the canton of Bern Switzerland. Known for the convent of Augustines that dominates it and the richness of its traditions, the city is located between the lakes of Thoune and Brienz.

The area around Interlaken will surprise you with the number of outdoor activities that you can discover all year round. Follow us to discover the 11 most sensational!

Parachuting

Did you ever dream of a parachute jump? The Interlaken region offers you an ideal setting to realize your dream! Discover the classic parachute jump and jump from a helicopter over Brienz and Thoune lakes.

Classical Parachuting

The parachute jump is an experience to live at least once in his life! The Interlaken region is perfect for your dream, with its magical view of the two lakes and the snowy summits of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

The day starts with flight from 15 to 20 minutes for the aircraft to take sufficient altitude. Enjoy it to admire the Alps around you. After the flight, the jump! You're literally going fall free for 45 seconds at 200 km/h attached to your qualified binomer.

Then it opens the parachute and you can enjoy 4 to 5 minutes flight to take your minds back! The landing is done smoothly on the shores of the lake. The monitor carries a camera for immortalize your parachute jump .

Parachuting from a helicopter

Are you afraid of the plane? There is an alternative to realize your dream of jumping in parachute: do it from a helicopter! And the landscapes around Interlaken are perfect for an unforgettable experience.

You board a powerful helicopter at 4,500 metres above sea level. When the door opens, you will be dazzled by the spectacular view of the glaciers in front of you. You jump, scammed to your monitor, and to you the rise of adrenaline!

Jump to elastic

Looking for strong sensations? Spend a holiday in Interlaken is the ideal opportunity to try the elastic jump in one of the most sumptuous sceneries in Europe! The alpine environment that surrounds you when you jump is great, you are not ready to forget it!

To jump into the vacuum in the Swiss Alps, go to the 16 Alpenstrasse in Interlaken . The team of professionals takes you to Stockhorn Bungy , where you will be raised to 134 meters of altitude in a mountain gondola. There, the doors of the cabin open and it’s gone for the adrenaline discharge! You fall in a free fall to a mountain lake, the Stockensee.

Savour the emotions that cross you before you settle in the boat that will carry you on the shores of the lake. Don’t forget to smile, you’ll be photographed by the team!

Wakeboard

The city of Interlaken is surrounded by two lakes with extraordinary colors, between blue and green. What better setting to practice wakeboard? Visit the lake of Thoune to discover wakeboarding.

You will be dragged at the end of a rope by a boat that runs on the waters of the lake. Guaranteed refreshment!

You surf on the waves produced by the boat, and your friends encourage you from the boat. This outdoor activity to do in Interlaken is perfect for making nice memories together! Do not forget to take a look at the mountain landscapes around the lake, they are breathtaking!

Canoë-Kayak

Canoe-kayak is another outdoor activity that can be practiced in Interlaken and the region. Here, no extreme slalom in mountain rapids, but a nice quiet ride to appreciate the beauty of the landscape. Whatever the season, you can enjoy canoe-kayak excursions on the beautiful Lake Brienz.

The walks are on a half day or evening , when the lake finds its tranquility. You start your visit through the Lütschine to the north shore of the lake, where you can discover beautiful cliffs. The Castle Ringgenberg , built in the 12th century, awaits you at the turn of beautiful little hidden beaches. The ride lasts 3 hours, with 2 hours of navigation.

In summer , the canoe-kayak course is done May to October . The winter season ends in November . With the cooling of the water, people who want to make the circuit will see themselves lend a watertight combination. And to finish the day smoothly, you will be rewarded with hot cups of tea.

Rafting

Fans of strong sensations in the water, on holiday in the Interlaken region will not be disappointed! This includes rafting on the Lütschine River. The goal? Lower the valley by manoeuvring your inflatable boat in teams to overcome faster speeds more impressive than others.

The duration of the course is an average of one and a half hour. The guides that accompany you will give you a full brief before you get on the boat. You are equipped with combinations, helmets, slippers and paddles for a safe ride.

You can enjoy your tour to admire the beautiful landscapes of forests and mountains that offer you. Arriving at the end of the descent, you will discover Lake Brienz and its turquoise waters, (a lot!) quieter than those of the river.

Paragliding

Have you ever thought of paragliding to fly like a bird? The surroundings of Interlaken are perfect for this. The take-off spot, Amisbühl, is located in Beatenberg, above Lake Thoune.

From this location, you take off to admire the region otherwise. In the middle of the flight you will have an incredible view of the famous trio of snowy summits Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The two lakes around Interlaken, Thoune and Brienz offer their crystal clear waters as a diamond.

In front of you, you can discover the top of the Schilthorn and its famous 360° rotary restaurant. Cinephiles will recognize the location of one of James Bond’s 6th opus scenes, Her Majesty's Secret Service .

And cherry on the cake, if the weather permits, you can even fly the paragliding by directing the wing under the control of your certified monitor. No previous experience is required for the flight in two-seater paragliding. You fly with a confirmed expert, a graduate of the Swiss Free Flight Federation.

Canyoning

Unlike rafting, canyoning is not practiced with a boat. You go down the watercourse to swimming or walking, which guarantees strong sensations every moment! Try this exceptional outdoor activity during your stay in Interlaken.

The adrenaline rise is guaranteed! You slide on rocky walls, you make jumps from the top of impressive cliffs and swim in the middle of the mountains, nothing like that to feel a adventurer soul! Have you ever made a reminder? This descent into the gorges of Saxeten in the heart of the Swiss Alps is the ideal opportunity to introduce you to the pleasures of this sport!

The team provides you with all the equipment you need to spend a pleasant time. A neoprene outfit, a helmet and a lifejacket will be lent to you before departure.

Jet Boat

Have you ever heard of jet boat? This fast and maniable hydraulic propulsion boat is the new nautical attraction on most spots on the planet. And for cause! The jet boat is a very agile boat, which allows the pilot to realize figures that look like a jet-ski. And this, even if the boat can accommodate up to 12 persons !

The lakes around Interlaken are the ideal place to make a jet boat baptism. The tour takes you from the port of Bönigen to the majestic and famous falls of Giessbach.

When you land on a jet boat, wait for strong sensations throughout the journey! You will remember for a long time controlled slips, 360° turns and the inevitable swimming on board.

Rackets

You also have the opportunity to practice many winter activities if you visit the Interlaken region in winter. The alpine snowshoe hikes will allow you to discover the snowy forest landscapes that surround the two lakes of Brienz and Thoune.

You sock your rackets, and you go with a guide. Throughout the activity, you can admire the panoramic view of the summits of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, the most famous in the Oberland valley. You will pass through small traditional mountain villages, where time seems to have stopped.

Ski and winter sports

The Interlaken Region is home to five different and charming ski and snowboard resorts: Brienz-Axalp, Beatenberg-Niederhorn, Diemtigtal and, when the snow has fallen in abundance, the superb small stations of Habkern and Aeschi-Aeschiried. You can access these stations from Interlaken in a maximum of one hour.

The charm of these winter sports stations lies in the magnificent panoramas that offer you, but also in their attractive prices and their perfectly dazzled trails.

Exploration Jungfraujoch

It is impossible to go to Interlaken in winter and not go to the Jungfraujoch pass, considered the roof of Europe. He has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2001.

You will find your guide at the Höheweg bus station, to reach the alpine village of Grindelwald, located in 1 034 meters above sea level . From there, you move into the cable car to Glacier Eiger Station. And finally, the cremail train will lead you to the highest peak in Europe.

Summer and winter, you can enjoy unforgettable moments thanks to these 11 outdoor activities in the Interlaken region. From the parachute jump to skiing or snowshoeing, all visitors will find their happiness!