Camping in Bernese Oberland

Wooded valleys at the foot of rugged mountain ranges in the Bernese Oberland are ideal for camping in the mountains. An extensive network of hiking routes also offers sensory experiences between alpine lakes and the tranquil village centres of historic settlements and towns. Camping in the Bernese Oberland is an excellent choice for hiking enthusiasts and campers with a penchant for unspoilt, natural landscapes. The tranquillity and naturalness of the region is also ideal for a trip with the children or the dog.

Special features of camping in the Bernese Oberland

This historic region in western central Switzerland is separated from the rest of Bern by the foothills of the Alps and boasts numerous valleys and lakes. In addition to tranquil towns and villages such as Interlaken, Thun and Spiez, the destination boasts a magnificent Alpine panorama and dense forest areas. With its nature parks, majestic mountains and rivers, the Bernese Oberland boasts a remarkable variety of landscapes, all of which share one aspect: natural unspoilt beauty.

The campsites in the Bernese Oberland are strategically located. For example, some campsites are located by the magnificent Lake Thun with quick access to refreshment in the water. Other providers are located in the valleys, providing a base for a variety of hiking tours. There are also well-kept campsites in the forest areas and in the mountains, leaving nothing to be desired.

How to get there

From Stuttgart, the journey is 401 km in a southerly direction across Baden-Württemberg along the A81 motorway. The journey takes you past Herrenberg, Villingen-Schwenningen and Singen before the Swiss border. A vignette is required for the toll on the Swiss motorways. This can be purchased online from ADAC or Deutsche Post, or at petrol stations along the way. An identity card or passport is required when crossing the border before Thayngen. The journey continues in Switzerland on the A4, A1 and A6 motorways past Winterthur, Zurich and Bern to Interlaken between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.

It is 447 kilometres from Munich to Interlaken. The three-country tour leads along the A96 motorway through Bavaria and past Memmingen to Lindau. Although you have to buy a day vignette for the Austrian section on the A14 motorway from Bregenz to Mäder, the journey is around 167 km shorter than the route via Singen. The border with Switzerland is crossed at Mäder and an identity card or passport must be carried. A vignette for the Swiss motorway must also be affixed to the windscreen. The rest of the route on the A3, A4, A14 and A8 motorways meanders through beautiful lakeside landscapes.

Destinations in the Bernese Oberland

The dominance of impressive mountain landscapes is hardly surprising in the Alpine region. That's why the Bernese Oberland offers spectacular destinations in the great outdoors.

Experience Grindelwald and the Jungfrau region

The mountain village of Grindelwald is a very good starting point for the spectacular Jungfrau region with almost endless hiking opportunities in summer and winter sports activities in winter, which can be reached from Grindelwald by gondola or mountain railway. The gentle but high-altitude hiking trail from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg offers breathtaking views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The Jungfrau Railway also takes you to the roof of Europe at the Jungfraujoch station at 3,454 metres.

Grindelwald also serves as a base for climbing the legendary north face of the Eiger and is known for its nightlife during the high season. The glacier gorge right next to the village has limestone slopes and impressive waterfalls.

Discover historic castles in Thun

The old town on the River Aare is a real feast for the eyes with its 15th and 16th century town houses. This is also the perfect cue for a leisurely stroll across the 300-year-old wooden Lower Lock Bridge with its colourful flowers along the railings. The Obere Hauptgasse offers a similar scenic experience. The medieval alleyway has many cosy cafés, restaurants and small shops. Here too, densely overgrown balustrades line the balconies side by side. The majestic Thun Castle can be visited, as can Strättligburg Castle just outside the town.

Activities and excursions

The Bernese Oberland offers a very good balance between natural beauty and a well-connected infrastructure. This makes it easy to reach the region's various attractions quickly and easily.

Skydiving in front of a mountain panorama

Skydiving, which can be undertaken from Interlaken, provides a special adrenaline rush. You climb to lofty heights in a helicopter and jump from the cabin into free fall together with your instructor. Once again, you get a magnificent view of the surrounding mountains, but this time from a completely different perspective. The spectacle lasts around 45 seconds and promises to be a unique and unforgettable experience.

With the Jungfrau Railway to the roof of Europe

The ascent on the Jungfrau Railway to the station on the Jungfraujoch is an impressive experience in itself. In summer, you pass endless alpine meadows with protected flowers and crystal-clear mountain lakes along the white-covered peaks. In winter, however, the cold wind blows the snow towards you. At 3,454 metres, you can see the imposing panorama from the Jungfraujoch to the Jungfrau, Eiger and Mönch. An "ice palace" also enchants with glittering tunnels, halls and sculptures in the thick ice shell.

Gastronomy

The cuisine of the Bernese Oberland is internationally renowned for its traditional, savoury dishes, which have evolved over time in response to the climatic conditions. Bernese rösti, for example, tastes simply exquisite as a main course or side dish. The simple recipe consists of grated potatoes, farmer's bacon and salt. The ingredients are fried until crispy and served warm.

The region is also known for its many variations of delicious, mature mountain cheese. This is the perfect basic ingredient for a successful raclette or fondue in the midst of a marvellous Alpine backdrop. The Bernese Oberland also has a number of good wines that can be tasted during various wine tours in the cellars.

Weather

Due to the very different altitudes in the Bernese Oberland, there are also different climate zones. In general, the climate is alpine with mostly hot summers and cold, harsh winters. As the Bernese Oberland is located on the northern side of the Alps, it is generally somewhat fresher and rainier than the southern side of the Alps. The best hiking season is from the end of spring to the beginning of autumn.

Midsummer is also ideal for swimming holidays at the region's lakes. In winter, the region is all about winter sports, but also offers great conditions for romantic hikes under snow-covered fir trees or cosy fondue evenings around the campfire in front of the camper, as some campsites are open all year round.