Two Lakes and Giessbach: Spiez to Meiringen with Additional Passages: gravel and dirt in Switzerland
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Two Lakes and Giessbach: Spiez to Meiringen with Additional Passages

Distance
56.3 km
Time
7 h 8 min
Elevation gain
—
Difficulty
Moderate
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Route description

From Spiez, the cycling route follows the southern side of Lake Thun towards Interlaken, then continues beside Bönigen and Lake Brienz. The urban passage beside Unterseen Castle gives way to waterside settings and small Baggerseeli. Continue towards Iseltwald and Giessbach, where a stop beside one waterfall cascade adds another kind of water landscape. Beyond the lakeside section, the journey enters Haslital and finishes in Meiringen. Return sections and extra urban passages make this a version worth allowing time to explore.

Route status

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Следить за маршрутом
Подробнее о состоянии маршрута No recent trail condition reports
Data source Information prepared

The description, logistics and points of interest were prepared using maps and open sources. Trail conditions may change.

Route data was imported from GPX and has not been field-verified.

Last updated 12.10.2026

Before travelling, check trail access, restrictions and the weather forecast.

Current conditions No recent trail condition reports

Conditions may have changed. Share a report after completing the route.

Community experience

Recent completions

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Elevation profile

gentle climb steep

Surface

Asphalt 91% · Gravel 5% · Artificial surface 1%

Surface is defined for 96% of the route.

Asphalt 91% · 51.0 km
Gravel 5% · 2.65 km
Artificial surface 1% · 0.08 km
Fine gravel 1% · 0.07 km
Paving stones 1% · 0.06 km
Dirt 1% · 0.01 km

Before you go

Всё важное о маршруте

Route at a glance

Главное за минуту
The ride connects two large lakes and several different Bernese Oberland stories. Lake Thun brings waterside travel, Unterseen adds a historic town facade, and Giessbach introduces the movement of a mountain waterfall. Continuing to Meiringen reveals the transition from the lakes into the Aare valley. Choose it for a cycling journey with meaningful stops and an organised return.
Length
56.3 km
Elevation gain
1461 m
Surface
Asphalt 91%
Two Lakes and Giessbach: Spiez to Meiringen with Additional Passages: route photo 2 in Switzerland

Route suitability

Кому будет комфортно
Without a car Yes
With children With caution
With a dog No
By bike Yes
With a stroller No
Mobile signal Не проверено

Nearby

Spiez Castle lies away from the selected departure and requires an additional visit. Grandhotel Giessbach and a walk around every cascade are also extra outings. In Meiringen, the Sherlock Holmes museum and statue can form a separate town walk. Aare Gorge and Ballenberg Museum lie outside the selected ride.

Getting there

Варианты и важные моменты Show on map
Without a car
Arrive in Spiez by train and arrange the separate ride from the station to the selected departure. Plan the return from Meiringen using operating rail connections, checking bicycle rules and capacity beforehand. Replacement buses are announced between Interlaken West and Ost for eight weeks from 19 October 2026; taking a bicycle on them is not confirmed. Use the timetable for the actual day, including urban connections.
By car
Drive to Spiez, leave the vehicle in authorised parking and arrange the return from Meiringen. Reconstruction continues around Spiez station, so follow temporary traffic arrangements. Parts of the lakeside cycling route are unsuitable for vehicle support. Choose any vehicle meeting point separately on an accessible road.
Parking
BLS parking at Spiez station is confirmed. It operates during the 2026–2027 reconstruction with fewer available spaces; work inside the building is scheduled from October 2026. Check parking availability, the current tariff and permitted duration before arriving. Short spaces beside the information centre are unsuitable for the complete ride to Meiringen.

Электрички туда и обратно

Расписание на дату и время, до которого нужно выйти на маршрут

What to expect

Places
Lake Thun the lakeside part of the ride from Spiez towards Interlaken.
Unterseen Castle the historic facade beside the urban passage.
Baggerseeli Lake the separate small lake between the larger lakeside sections.
Lake Brienz the Bönigen shore and onward lake surroundings.
Giessbach Falls the passage beside one cascade.

Difficult sections and safety

На что обратить внимание
Elevation gainСуммарный набор высоты — 1461 м.
SurfaceAsphalt 91%, Gravel 5%, Artificial surface 1%.
Риски This is a sustained ride with climbs towards Giessbach, return sections and changing surfaces. Slow down on the stony cascade approach and wheel the bicycle when necessary; pedestrians share waterside passages. Local traffic uses town roads and some lakeside connections. Wet stones and roots are slippery after rain. Compare older branches with current cycling signs and authorised connections.

How much time to allow

Оцените свой темп
Расчётное время в пути 7 h 8 min
С запасом на остановки + 30–60 мин
Allow an estimated 5–8 hours for cycling with return sections and pauses at the lakes and Giessbach. This is an editorial estimate for the expanded version, rather than the standard direct stage timing. Add lunch, museums and longer walking visits separately. Fix the latest departure from Meiringen and the margin needed for bicycle carriage beforehand.

Best time to go

Сезонность и рекомендации
Choose snow-free conditions, dry surfaces and sufficient daylight. Spring and rain can make the falls especially striking, while their approaches need care. Summer calls for water and sun protection; autumn requires warm clothing and time before darkness. Recheck local restrictions and transport before the ride.

What to bring

Базовый список для комфортного похода
Bicycle suited to asphalt and stony sections
Helmet, sound brakes and lights
Repair kit, pump and spare tube
Lock for stops
Water, food and sun protection
Warm layer and rain jacket
Charged phone and map
Checked return from Meiringen with the bicycle

FAQ

Questions before the trip

Can I do this route without a car?

Arrive in Spiez by train and arrange the separate ride from the station to the selected departure. Plan the return from Meiringen using operating rail connections, checking bicycle rules and capacity beforehand. Replacement buses are announced between Interlaken West and Ost for eight weeks from 19 October 2026; taking a bicycle on them is not confirmed.

Is this route suitable for children?

Possible with caution: review the surface, difficult sections, and extra time for stops in advance.

Can I download GPX and KML?

Yes, GPX and KML are available on the route page. Open the map, download the file, and use it in a navigator before your trip; key route facts: 56.3 km, moderate.

Discussion

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