Switzerland Guide
The Bernese Oberland
The Bernese Oberland ( 
www.berneseoberland.ch ) is the most accessible and touristed part of Alpine Switzerland, and also the most spectacular, best known for a triple-peaked ridge of Alpine giants at its core: the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, cresting 4000m. However, the Oberland takes in a vast tract of territory, and the approaches to the high mountains have their own, gentler pleasures. The bustling town of Interlaken is the main transport hub for the region, but the sheer volume of tourist traffic passing through can make it a less-than-restful place to stay; you'd do better to head straight for the mountains.
Arguably the single most captivating place in the entire Alps lies just a short way south of Interlaken – the gorgeous Lauterbrunnen valley, with the resorts of Wengen and Mürren perched on plateaux above providing excellent winter skiing and summer hiking. Grindelwald is another bustling resort in its own valley slightly to the east. Both offer access to one of Switzerland's top excursions, the rack-railway journey winding up through spectacular mountain scenery to the ice-bound Jungfraujoch, a windswept col nestling at 3454m just below the peak of the Jungfrau itself, and the site of the highest train station in Europe. Further west, the Oberland rolls on through less-visited wooded valleys and pastureland, out to the borders of the German-speaking area, where sits probably the most famous name in the region: Gstaad.
Highlights
1 Interlaken Bustling resort town at the hub of the region's excellent mountain railway network.
2 Schynige Platte One of the finest Alpine viewpoints.
3 Lauterbrunnen valley Breathtaking U-shaped cleft, its high, craggy walls doused by waterfalls such as the Trümmelbach.
4 Wengen & Mürren Car-free mountain resorts with superb skiing and fine hiking.
5 Schilthorn The cable-car ride up to this lofty summit is unforgettably dramatic.
6 Grindelwald Long-acclaimed ski and sports resort at the foot of the mighty Eiger.
7 Jungfraujoch The train ride up to Europe's highest station is easily done in a day from Interlaken.
8 Gstaad Legendary Alpine hideaway of the rich and famous, set amidst lovely countryside on the Golden Pass train line.