The Path of the Three Waterfalls

The hiking trail has something to offer for everyone's taste: shore sections and meadows, forests and rugged rocks. Highlights of the hike include three waterfalls, the incredible color of Lake Brienz, the nostalgic ride with the oldest tourist funicular in Switzerland (from 1879), a fairytale castle in the form of a historic hotel (Grandhotel Giessbach) or a romantic boat ride.

Bönigen ship station - Erschwandenbach waterfall - Iseltwald Fura (1 h 50 min.) On the shore path along Lake Brienz, after about 1 km, turn right towards the forest. After the underpass, follow the path to the left towards Erschwandenbach. You reach the sunlit waterfall by turning right on a narrow forest path. Back on the bridge, continue to the end of the wide forest path and further through the forest and along a rock, where you reach the existing pilgrimage path and the Fura above Iseltwald.

Iseltwald Fura - Mühlibach waterfall (35 min.) After a short time on the road, turn left onto a hiking trail that takes you to the Mühlibach waterfall – a mystical, beautiful place above Iseltwald.

Mühlibach waterfall - Giessbach falls (1h 55 min.) On a well-developed hiking trail through a forest, then over open fields with a view of Lake Brienz, you reach the impressive Giessbach falls, which cascade into Lake Brienz.

Giessbach - Brienz ship station/train station (1h 20 min.) From the historic Hotel Giessbach, you reach the ship station with the oldest funicular in Europe. It is also possible to walk this route back in 20 minutes. Above the hotel, you reach Engi (PostBus stop) via a forest path. From there you can take the PostBus to Brienz, or you can walk along Axalpstrasse to Lake Brienz. Follow the lakeshore and arrive at the beautiful village of Brienz.

Looking for more hiking tips in the Bernese Oberland? Learn more about the various hiking opportunities around Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.