Hidden Gem Travel: Iseltwald, Switzerland

Iseltwald Switzerland looks like a dream. Browsing images of the place is enough to make most people decide that this gorgeous village is worth visiting. The entire charming village has been designated as part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites. The idyllic countryside is really something to behold. There’s the lovely waters of Lake Brienz, the impressive mountains, and orchards and forests. The biggest draws in Iseltwald involve getting out into nature. While you’ll find no shortage of charm and natural beauty, there’s nothing “big city” here. Here’s out picks for absolute must-sees, and a few useful tips.

Getting There

One of the most common words people use to describe Iseltwald is “serene”. While the majestic Alps and stunning turquoise waters of Lake Brienz might be the biggest reasons for that, there’s another. Iseltwald is almost completely car-free, with only the locals allowed to drive. If you do come by car, there are places where you can pay to park. Expect a 1.5 hour drive if you’re coming from Zurich. Another option is bus, from Iterlaken. There is an hourly connection available, and it only takes about 20 minutes to make the trip. Lastly, you can catch a ferry in Interlaken as well. While it takes 45 minutes to reach Iseltwald this way, it is an amazing experience in its own right. The breath-taking views make those minutes race by. The ferry landing is also where you’ll find tourist info.

Have Fun On Lake Brienz

If you visit Iseltwald, there is no way you’re not going to want to be spending some serious time out on that pristine lake. Kayak and boat rentals are massively popular for obvious reasons. If you prefer someone else to do the “driving”, there is also a Lake Brienz Cruise you can take that lasts about 75 minutes. Cruises run from April to October. For the truly lazy at heart, you can always stroll the lakeside promenade of Iseltwald. Or, rest your weary bones on a bench overlooking the picturesque views and take it all in.

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📍Iseltwald castle, Switzerland ▪️Iseltwald is a village and municipality on the southern shore of Lake Brienz in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland . Politically, the municipality is located in the Interlaken-Oberhasli district of the canton of Bern. #travel #travelphotography #travelgram #traveltheworld #travelblogger #traveling #traveler #traveller #travellers #travellife #travelust #wanderlust #travelcommunity #travelpics #traveladdiction #travelpassion #switzerland_vacations #switzerlandtravel #switzerlandwonderland #flower #nature #solotraveler #naturephotography #earth #earthphotography #vacation #vacationmode #switzerland #iseltwaldswitzerland #iseltwald

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Take A Hike

No, we don’t mean that as a euphemism. We mean go for an actual hike, because there’s so much natural beauty to explore here it is ridiculous. One of the most popular hikes is the trail that runs from Iseltwald to Giessbach. You’ll want to have your camera handy as you travel the 5 kms beside the lake, through the charming village, to the fairy-tale like forest path. The trail ends at the spectacular Geissbach waterfall. While there, consider taking a funicular up to tour the Grandhotel Giessbach, which will definitely leave your jaw on the floor.

For those who are a bit more adventurous, there’s also the “path of the Three Waterfalls” hike. This hike is about 17.65 kms long and extends from Bonigen to Iseltwald to Brienz. Even though it’s a longer trip, it is still doable to even novice hikers if you take it in parts. You’ll get even more variety of views as you’ll get to see woodlands, meadows, and cliffs.

Accommodations

Just a word to the wise here, there are basically only two hotels here. Though you really can’t go wrong with either one as they are every bit as charming as the village itself. There’s the Hotel Chalet Du Lac and the Strandhotel. Hotel Chalet Du Lac is a bit more on the budget friendly side. You can also find some rentals on Airbnb for fair prices. No matter where you decide to stay though, it is going to be far harder to leave.

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Omaya Michelle

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