This past weekend, we were in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland, one of the most popular tourist and adventure destinations every season. With easy access to the Swiss Alps by train and surrounded by the beautiful lakes of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, this is a must-visit location for a serene weekend getaway.  It’s no surprise that one of the most popular activities to do in the region is skiing. The streets are lined with ski shops and the snowy mountains are just a train ride and a gondola ride away. 

Many people forget, however, that Switzerland has much more to offer than just skiing, and if you aren’t a big fan of putting on your snowshoes for the day, here’s some activities and excursions just as adventurous as skiing down a mountain. 

Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe

If you’ve never experienced being in the mountains, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to journey to the “Top of Europe,” or the highest mountain summit in the region at 4,158 meters. Jungfrau is accessible through Interlaken, Grindelwald, and Laterbrunnen, and while starting at Interlaken adds an extra stop in the journey, you can experience a pleasant train ride lakeside. 

One of the best parts of the journey is taking the Eiger Express Gondola up to the Eigergletscher summit where lots of skiers tend to get off and ski down the rest of the way. Your journey is however not finished yet. Take the last train up to the top of Jungfrau and end at the train station which was directly built into the mountain. 

Once at the top of, there are plenty of attractions to keep you busy. Take a walk out to the Glacier Plateau and take a picture with the Swiss flag, or, walk through the Ice Palace full of ice sculptures that have been carved since the 1930s. Visit the Lindt chocolate factory for a sweet surprise, or shop for exclusive Swiss watches customized for the mountain journey. Do however be mindful of altitude sickness; make sure to stay hydrated and eat a hearty meal before your journey. 

Paragliding

This activity is truly for thrill seekers. Switzerland is one of the top destinations for paragliding, and paragliding is a little bit similar to skydiving (also a popular activity in Switzerland), but instead of jumping out of an airplane, one gains momentum by jumping off a high point and then gliding in the air supported by a parachute. People who have braved new heights have described the experience as exhilarating and surreal because it allowed them to take in the scenic views of the mountain and glance at the Swiss towns from above. 

Don’t worry, you won’t be alone, an expert paraglider will be there to guide your parachute and help you safely land, and might even snap a few photos for your souvenir and to remember your experience!

Boat Tours

The Bernese Oberland region is surrounded by the clearest, bluest water one could ever imagine, and both of those lakes are accessible through the rocky beach area. We recommend taking a boat tour to truly experience the water and its surroundings, as the lake is right in the center of the mountains. 

While you can take a relaxing boat tour with a guide, maybe even enjoy fondue or a glass of wine whilst on the boat, for those looking for adventure, take a high-speed Jet Boat tour. During this tour, experience an adrenaline rush of twists, turns, and splashes on the lake for half an hour in a unique way to take on Switzerland. 

Hiking

Switzerland has limitless possibilities of hiking trails suitable for anyone on any terrain. Hiking trails range from just a short hour walk, all the way to a 10-hour walk for those who want to embark on a hike the entire day. For something a little more adventurous, try hiking the Trift Bridge, a pedestrian suspension bridge near the Trift Glacier that stands 100 meters high. The entire trip takes about three and a half hours and is about six kilometers long. 

Fondue 

To reward yourself after a long day of adventure, sit back and enjoy a fondue experience. Fondue Villa and Garden in Interlaken, also a youth hostel, has the perfect cozy and dimly-lit atmosphere to enjoy a variety of fondue flavors with friends and family. With seven sweet and savory sides to dip your fondue, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy. A traditional fondue is a type of Swiss cheese flavor melted together with wine and to be enjoyed family-style. For dessert, be sure to stick around for melted chocolate fondue and enjoy with fruit and chocolate. 

Hopefully these activities spark your interest for adventure! You will not want to miss out on taking a trip to one of the most beautiful places in Europe.