This Swiss lakeside village at the foot of the Alps has a long tradition of woodcarving. Its 18th-century wooden houses line the shoreline of Lake Brienz's turquoise waters.
Brienz stretches along the northern shore of Lake Brienz in the Bernese Oberland. In the village center, you'll walk past 18th-century wooden chalets with intricate facade carvings, while steam locomotives puff their way up the Brienzer Rothorn mountain. Stop by the Woodcarving Museum to watch artisans at work, take a boat to see the cascading Giessbach Falls, or explore traditional Swiss architecture at the Ballenberg open-air museum.
Transport Connections to Brienz
The Brienz railway station lies on the Zentralbahn railway line, with trains running to Interlaken (20 minutes) and Lucerne (90 minutes). PostBus services connect the station to local attractions, including the Ballenberg museum. From Brienz, you can reach most destinations in the Bernese Oberland within an hour by public transport.
Walking Through Brunngasse
The Brunngasse's wooden chalets date back to the 18th century, with detailed wooden carvings decorating their facades. As you walk along the cobblestone path, you'll catch views of Lake Brienz between the buildings. Climb up to the Protestant church on the hillside for views over the village rooftops, the turquoise lake, and the Alpine peaks.
Woodcarving in Brienz
Since 1862, the Cantonal Woodcarving School has trained generations of craftspeople. At the Woodcarving Museum, you can watch daily demonstrations of traditional carving techniques and try creating your own wooden figure. The exhibits explain the role of woodcarving in local life and commerce throughout the 19th century.
Climbing the Brienzer Rothorn
Steam locomotives run daily from June to October on the Brienz Rothorn Railway. The one-hour journey climbs 1,600 meters through six tunnels. From the 2,350-meter summit, look out across the Bernese Alps, Lake Brienz, and the Grimsel area. The railway runs a Wednesday "Steam Sausage Express" and celebrates passengers' birthdays with free rides.
Activities on Lake Brienz
Lake Brienz reaches depths of 260 meters, making it one of Switzerland's five deepest lakes. Rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards from the waterfront, or take trips on historic steamers. Walk the one-kilometer lakeside path from the village center to Strandbad Brienz swimming area in about 15 minutes.
Exploring Nearby Sites
The Giessbach Falls cascade 400 meters in 14 stages before flowing into Lake Brienz. Take a boat from Brienz's harbor to reach the falls, then ride the 1879 funicular - Europe's oldest - to the viewing platforms. The Ballenberg Open-Air Museum spans 163 acres with 100 historical buildings relocated from across Switzerland. Walk through traditional farmhouses, workshops, and gardens while seeing 250 farm animals, including native Swiss breeds.
