Switzerland's Beautiful Lakes

Thun, a town nestled in the heart of Switzerland

We started our trip in Zurich, where we hopped onto a high-speed train that took us to Thun in just an hour and a half.

Thun is a small Swiss town in the Bern region, meaning the language spoken there is German. The main train station is close to the city centre, so we explored the town on foot. From the outside, we admired Thun Castle, which dates back to the 12th century, and then enjoyed lunch by the Aare River that runs through the town. We were both impressed by the surfers practising on the waves created by the hydroelectric plants on the river.

Next, we walked along Lake Thun, as our goal was to reach the Oberhofen Castle located between the towns of Thun and Interlaken, right by the lake. We set off on foot, which took us about two hours. The path is well-maintained, and along the way, we treated ourselves to a quick break and a refreshing dip in the lake. After visiting the castle, we decided to continue our journey by bus. The bus route between Thun and Interlaken runs every 15 to 20 minutes. On the way to Interlaken, we also stopped at the St. Beatus Caves. They got their name from an Irish monk named Beatus, who, according to legend, chased away a dragon that had been guarding the caves for centuries. There's a well-lit path through the cave, making it accessible even for those with little experience in cave exploring. Unfortunately, the cave is quite touristy and has been altered by humans. I was surprised to see people throwing coins for good luck into such a natural monument, which is completely inappropriate for an ecosystem that needs centuries to recover. Our caves, like Postojna and Škocjan, are much better cared for and protected from human activities.

Interlaken, a tourist gem between two lakes

After visiting the caves, we caught the bus again and arrived in Interlaken in the evening. The town is one of the most popular summer resorts in Switzerland, so it wasn't as traditionally preserved as Thun. With lots of fast fashion shops and all sorts of restaurants, it's more aimed at tourists. In the evening, we went for a walk around the old town, but we got caught in the rain. So, we cut our walk a bit short.

The next day, we wanted to visit the real Swiss Alps and make the most of the day by hiking. So, we decided to take a trip to the mountain village of Grindelwald.

Grindelwald and Bachalpsee Lake

The name Grindelwald immediately caught my attention, as it reminded me of a character from the Fantastic Beasts movie series, who is named after this village in Switzerland. This mountain village sits at an altitude of 1,034 metres and has been a popular tourist spot for those who love the Swiss Alps since the 19th century.

You can reach the village by car or by train. We chose the train, which gets you to the village centre in less than 40 minutes. We then walked to the gondola, which took us to the top in just over half an hour. It's about an hour's easy walk from the gondola station to the lake. The path isn't too steep, and it's really well-marked. Bachalpsee Lake is known as the blue gem, as on a clear day, you can see the reflection of the nearby peaks Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn, and Finsteraarhorn. The lake is located at an altitude of 2,265 metres.

Luckily for us, that Saturday, the village was hosting a festival called The Big Trychler, which is celebrated every year around the 1st of September. During that time, locals walk through the streets in a procession, dressed in traditional costumes. The women were wearing flowers, and the men were clanging big cowbells to the beat.

Wrapping up

The festival was a lovely way to wrap up our two-day trip, and we headed back towards Zurich late in the afternoon. Luckily, Swiss trains are really fast compared to Slovenia – in less than three hours, with one layover, we covered 165 kilometres. Switzerland can really be proud of its public transport, and it could be an example for many other countries. Buses and trains are on time, comfortable, and well-connected to each other. Most locals use public transport, as it's simply a faster and more comfortable way to travel around the country. I prefer to use public transport on my trips instead of using a car. If you're resourceful and flexible with your time, public transport won't be a hassle; in fact, it could lead to a fun new story from your trip.