Kayaking can be a quietly peaceful yet adventurous way to tour a lake and enjoy the incredible scenery. Suppose you’re visiting the lakes around Interlaken in Switzerland. In that case, a paddle in a kayak allows you to experience the true wonder of this area from a unique perspective no matter the season. Whether you’re looking for a guided tour or want to explore the area on your own, you’ll gain a unique perspective and a memorable experience.
For example, the deep turquoise waters of Lake Brienz shine their brightest in the Spring but prove just as stunning in Autumn when colorful leaves rest delicately on its surface. Similarly, an excursion on the crystal clear waters of Lake Thun will delight you with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the five castles that rest on its banks.
Reasons to Kayak Lake Brienz
If you’re looking for some time during your trip to stop a minute and reconnect peacefully with nature, you’ll find that kayaking at Lake Brienz provides you with just that opportunity. You’ll see beautiful mountains all around as you glide across the turquoise blue lake in your kayak. It’s genuinely like experiencing something out of a storybook. Point out the different majestic peaks and plan which ones you’ll want to hike in the future.
If the stunning mountain scenery isn’t enough, you’ll find yourself extra delighted by the sight of the Giessbach Falls which cascades down in 14 stages over 391 meter high. Sitting in your kayak at the bottom of this magnificent display of nature will truly leave you in awe and help you forget any of your worries. As a bonus, you’ll also see the Grandhotel Giessbach, which dates back to 1879 including its charming historic funicular.
Although you’ll love the experience in all seasons, if you’re visiting in the summer, you can stop at one of the several lovely beaches around the lake and take a quick dip there. Even in the warmest months, the water will be pretty chilly, but it’s a refreshing way to experience the area more completely.
Finally, paddle your boat to Schnäggeninseli (Snail Island), the only island on the lake and one of the largest in the Bernese Oberland. However, since the island is privately owned, you’ll just be able to look, but it’s certainly worth checking out from your kayak.
Where to rent kayaks
Although many places exist to rent kayaks near Interlaken, Hightide Kayak School provides one of the best options. You’ll find it at the lake swimming area in Bönigen, just east of Interlaken (Lütschinenstrasse 24, 3806 Bönigen, Switzerland, info@hightide.ch).
The Kayak School has everything you need for a safe and fun adventure on the lake. They provide adult and child life vests, and you can rent wetsuits in colder weather and other gear like dry bags, paddle jackets, and dry suits). Just make sure you call ahead to ensure they have enough kayaks available for the time you want to visit. You’ll also want to schedule the guided tour option ahead of time.
Rent a kayak on Lake Thun
If you want to discover Lake Thun by kayak, rent one from Neuhaus, where you’ll find one and two-person options. It’s a memorable way to experience the sunset, surrounding mountains, and spectacular castles around the lake.
Interlaken kayaking price
Although it’s not inexpensive to rent a kayak in the Interlaken lakes, it’s definitely worth the price for a memorable experience that you won’t get anywhere else. The average price for a single sit-on kayak runs around CHF 40, and the two-person option is around CHF 60. The cost includes 3 hours of paddling time and life vests.
Kayaking safety
As with any water activity, you want to remain as safe as possible while on the lake. Hightide Kayak School takes your safety seriously, providing life vests and informing you about any potential hazards on the water and anything else that might impact your ride, including other boats on the lake. They also keep an eye on weather conditions and instruct you on what to look for regarding potential storms.
Interlaken Kayaking: What to bring with you
To make the most of your experience on Lake Brienz or Lake Thun, consider bringing the following items:
- Swimsuit (especially in the summertime)
- Sunglass
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Water shoes or wet boots
- Change of clothing
- Dry bag
- Lots of drinking water
Hightide Kayak School on Lake Brienz has wetsuits, drysuits, and dry bags available for rent if needed.
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Summary & Final Thoughts
Kayaking provides one of the most tranquil ways to experience the Interlaken lakes of Lake Brienz or Lake Thun. You’ll get to view the area’s beauty from a unique perspective as you paddle along at your own pace, allowing you the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the other touristy areas.
It’s a great activity, regardless of the season. So even if the ground is covered in snow and you can’t hike the mountains, you can still explore them by kayak.
