Would you like to combine two highlights in Switzerland in just one hike? Check out this hike from the picturesque Iseltwald to the Giessbach Falls.
Discover Iseltwald and the Giessbach Falls
Nestled on the turquoise shores of Lake Brienz, in the heart of Switzerland, you can find the charming village of Iseltwald. With a population of less than 500, Iseltwald offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. It’s a great place to wander along the lakefront, take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, or explore the village’s charming streets lined with traditional wooden houses.
And did you know that you can combine your visit to Iseltwalt with another spectacular destination in Switzerland? Just a few kilometers further, you’ll find some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the area. The Giessbach Falls are cascading majestically down 14 stages over 500 meters, and it is an impressive sight for sure.
Together, Iseltwald and the Giessbach Falls offer a captivating combination of quaint charm and awe-inspiring natural beauty, making them a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Switzerland’s breathtaking landscape.
I visited both places on a (self-guided) day trip from Interlaken and tell you all about them in this article.
How do you get to Iseltwald?
Iseltwald is located about 10 kilometers from Interlaken and 12.5 kilometers from Brienz. The village is easily accessible by car. From Interlaken, Iseltwalt is also easily accessible by bus.
Bus number 103 runs regularly from Interlaken to Iseltwald and the journey takes only 30 minutes.
Tip: Book a hotel or hostel in Interlaken and you will receive a pass that allows you to travel for free on public transport in Interlaken. You can also use this for the bus to Iseltwald.
How to hike from Iseltwald to the Giessbach Falls
The most fun way to get from Iseltwald to the Giessbach Falls is to go hiking. As Switzerland is a great country for hikers, there are many hiking trails and they are very well-marked.
From the town center of Iseltwald, you can follow just the yellow signs in the direction of Giessbach. You’ll soon leave the village as you hike along the Brienzersee.
Hiking along the Brienzersee
During the first part of the hike, you walk on a path right next to the Brienzersee, it’s a beautiful view!
At a certain point, you’ll be hiking in the woods (the Brienzersee can still be seen on your left from time to time) and you occasionally have to climb and descend a bit. Luckily, they’ve cut out some beautiful steps to make it easier for you.
At some point, the landscape looks a little bit like a jungle. Beautiful forest paths, lots of moss, and sometimes you have to hike between the high rocks. Very adventurous!
After this rocky stretch, you arrive at a picnic area and this is approximately the halfway point of your hike to the Giessbach waterfalls. After the picnic area, you mainly hike through the woods to the waterfalls.
The Giessbach waterfalls
You can hear the Giessbach waterfalls before you see them, they are incredibly powerful! At first, it looks like a small waterfall, but as you get closer, you see more and more. The Giessbach waterfalls thunder through 14 terraces no less than 500 meters down into the Brienzersee.
The best thing: you can walk under the Giessbach waterfalls via a metal bridge! From this bridge, you also have a nice view of the beautiful Grandhotel Giessbach. This is one of the best and most iconic hotels in the region.
If you have passed under the Giessbach waterfalls, you can follow the hiking trail on the left, so you can return to Iseltwald.
Back to Iseltwald
You can hike back to Iseltwald in three ways:
- Via the path along the lake: this is the same way back
- Via the middle road: this has the same length as the path along the lake
- Via the upper road: this is a difficult trail with many height differences, this route takes the longest
I chose to hike back to Iseltwald via the middle path. You’ll hike on a dirt road at first, which turns into an asphalt road. Because you’re hiking a little higher along the mountain, every now and then, you’ll have a great view of the turquiose Brienzersee.
You also hike past a number of farms and occasionally see a few cows chilling in a meadow. They all wear a cowbell which I think is quite iconic because it reminds me of hiking in the Alps. We’re in Switzerland after all!
Because Iseltwald itself is at the shore of the lake, you will still have to descend quite a bit. This happens at the end of the trail, and you hike down to Iseltwald on a fairly steep forest path.
Before you know it, you will be back at the lake and you will see the beautiful castle of Iseltwald on the peninsula in the Brienzersee.
About Iseltwald
Iseltwald is a small village (it has only 500 inhabitants) and has a long history. The first time someone wrote about Iseltwald was in the year 1146. The whole village is part of the Swiss Heritage Sites and therefore has a protected village view.
A striking feature is a castle on the peninsula, which is now a rehabilitation center. Iseltwald’s economy mainly revolves around fishing and tourism.
It is advisable to stay a night in Iseltwald and there are several beautiful accommodations, such as:
- Hotel Châlet Du Lac: Charming 3 star family run hotel.
- Lake Lodge Hostel: Cozy hostel for the budget traveler.
- Boutique B&B Bellevue Iseltwald: Inn with nicely furnished rooms and a large sun terrace.
About the hike from Iseltwald to the Giessbach waterfalls
The hike from Iseltwald to the Giessbach waterfalls and back is about twelve kilometers long. It takes between 3 and 4 hours and it is a fairly easy hike (there is little difference in height). Bring some food and drinks with you, as there are no facilities on the way.
Tip: read this post What’s in my pack? Packing list for a day hike.
You can also choose to do a one-way hike to the Giessbach Falls and take a ferry back. There is a small pier at the foot of the Giessbach waterfalls, and from here, you can take a ferry to either Iseltwald, Brienz, or Oberried. Check out in advance what the schedule of these ferries is because they don’t go that often. You can find the ferry schedule on this website.
For me, this hike from Iseltwald to the Giessbach waterfalls is one of the most beautiful hikes I made in Switzerland. It is also good for beginners because there is little difference in height. Also, it is a very varied walk, the landscape is very scenic and you get to see many beautiful things.
Book a trip to Switzerland
Would you like to visit Iseltwald and check out the Giessbach Falls during a trip to Switzerland? Book your trip now!
Plane tickets – The largest international airport is in Zurich. Check Skyscanner to find the best deals on plane tickets. From the airport in Zurich, you can travel by car (1 hour and 40 minutes) or by train to Interlaken (2 hours and 20 minutes). There’s also an airport in the city of Bern, which is a little closer to Interlaken.
By train – Switzerland is one of the best European countries to travel to by train. Check Rail Europe to find itineraries and train tickets.
Travel insurance – Having good travel insurance will give you peace of mind, especially when you plan to do more adventurous activities. Check Insubuy to find the best travel insurance that fits your needs.
Tours and Activities – There are many fun activities to do in Switzerland. Check Get Your Guide for all the options.
Swiss Travel Pass – Would you like to see more beautiful places in Switzerland during your holiday? Make it easy on yourself and purchase a Swiss Travel Pass. This gives you unlimited access to trains (including panoramic trains!), buses, and boats, and you can also visit more than 500 museums. Buy your Swiss Travel Pass now!
Read more about Switzerland
Would you like to learn more about the most beautiful places in Switzerland? Check out these travel guides.
For me as a solo traveler and hiking enthusiast, Switzerland is one of my favorite countries to visit. I try to explore new places and towns in Switzerland every year, that’s why you can read more about visiting Switzerland on this website. You might like to read these articles as well:
- Switzerland Bucket List: 15 beautiful places
- How to get to Grindelwald First: the easy & the hard way
- A perfect day hike in Lauterbrunnen
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This article was published in December 2020. Last update: February 2024.
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Thank you. I was looking for an easy trail and this is perfect. Very similar to my country , Argentina. I have a doubt, is it a popular trail? I mean, Im 60 y.o. and afraid of going alone not only cause an accident but for safety. Do u know of some groups or people who gently would come too?
Hi Margarita, it’s not a very crowded trail, but you’ll definitely meet a few people on the way. Switzerland is one of the safest countries in the world, if somehow you slip or fall, someone will help you. I’ve traveled and hike solo in Switzerland multiple times over the years, and everybody is extremely friendly. Enjoy your trip!