Interlaken (district) facts for kids

The coat of arms for the Interlaken district.

The Interlaken district was once an important administrative area in the Swiss canton of Bern. Even though it's no longer a district in the same way, the region is still famous for its beautiful scenery and exciting activities. It used to cover an area of 724 km² and included 23 different towns and villages, called municipalities.

What is the Interlaken Region?

The Interlaken region is located in the heart of the Bernese Oberland, a stunning part of the Swiss Alps. The name "Interlaken" means "between lakes," which perfectly describes its location between two large, beautiful lakes: Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. This area is surrounded by towering mountains, including the famous Jungfrau peak, and offers breathtaking views.

Former District and Municipalities

Until 2010, Interlaken was an official administrative district in the canton of Bern. A district is like a group of smaller towns and villages that are managed together for local government. In 2010, the district of Interlaken was combined with other nearby districts to form a larger administrative region called the Interlaken-Oberhasli administrative district.

The 23 municipalities that were part of the Interlaken district included:

• Beatenberg
• Bönigen
• Brienz
• Brienzwiler
• Därligen
• Grindelwald
• Gsteigwiler
• Gündlischwand
• Habkern
• Hofstetten bei Brienz
• Interlaken (the main town)
• Iseltwald
• Lauterbrunnen
• Leissigen
• Lütschental
• Matten bei Interlaken
• Niederried bei Interlaken
• Oberried am Brienzersee
• Ringgenberg
• Saxeten
• Schwanden bei Brienz
• Unterseen
• Wilderswil

Fun Things to Do in Interlaken

The Interlaken area is a very popular place for tourists from all over the world, especially for young people who love adventure.

Outdoor Adventures

Because of its amazing natural setting, Interlaken is known as the "adventure capital" of Switzerland. You can try many exciting activities here, such as:

• Paragliding: Soar through the sky and see the lakes and mountains from above.
• Canyoning: Explore narrow gorges by jumping, sliding, and rappelling down waterfalls.
• Rafting: Go on thrilling boat rides down mountain rivers.
• Hiking: There are countless trails for all skill levels, offering incredible views.
• Skiing and Snowboarding: In winter, the nearby mountains like Jungfrau offer fantastic slopes.

Exploring Nature

If you prefer quieter activities, the region also offers:

• Boat trips: Enjoy relaxing cruises on Lake Thun or Lake Brienz. The water is a beautiful turquoise color!
• Höhematte Park: A large open space in the middle of Interlaken town, perfect for relaxing and watching paragliders land.
• Jungfraujoch: Take a train ride up to the "Top of Europe," the highest railway station in Europe, for stunning glacier views.

See also

In Spanish: Distrito de Interlaken para niños