In the heart of the Bernese Oberland, Meiringen enchants visitors with its irresistible charm and a medley of delightful experiences. This picturesque Swiss town is a treasure trove of wonders, boasting a seamless blend of natural beauty and cultural allure. Surrounded by majestic peaks and lush valleys, Meiringen invites exploration, offering an array of activities that cater to every taste. From the iconic Reichenbach Falls, immortalized in Sherlock Holmes lore, to the adrenaline-fueled adventures on Hasliberg’s slopes, Meiringen captivates with its diverse offerings. Its rich history, evident in its museums and historical sites, intertwines seamlessly with the allure of alpine landscapes, promising a truly unforgettable sojourn amidst Switzerland’s breathtaking scenery.
Reichenbach Falls: Explore the iconic Reichenbach Falls, famous for its association with Sherlock Holmes. Take a scenic hike or use the funicular to reach different viewpoints.
Hasliberg Mountain: Enjoy skiing, snowboarding, or hiking, depending on the season, amid stunning alpine scenery.
Aareschlucht Gorge: Discover the dramatic Aareschlucht Gorge with its impressive rock formations and walkways that allow you to experience the sheer power of the Aare River.
Sherlock Holmes Museum: Immerse yourself in the world of Sherlock Holmes and explore exhibits dedicated to the famous detective's adventures.
Ballenberg Open-Air Museum: Experience Swiss rural life and architecture from different regions at this fascinating open-air museum showcasing traditional buildings, crafts, and culture.
Muggestutz Dwarf Trail: Perfect for families, this magical trail in Hasliberg offers interactive stations and tales of the dwarves, providing a fun and enchanting hike.
Giessbach Falls: Witness the stunning Giessbach Falls cascading down a series of 14 steps into Lake Brienz, accessible by a charming old-fashioned funicular.
Grimselwelt: Visit the interactive exhibition center at Grimselwelt to learn about the region's hydroelectric power and the fascinating history of the Grimsel Pass.
Gelmerbahn: An extraordinary funicular railway located near Meiringen, Switzerland. Known for its steep incline and stunning views, this historic railway offers an exhilarating and scenic ride up to the Gelmersee reservoir. With a gradient of up to 106%, it's recognized as one of the steepest funiculars globally, providing an adrenaline-pumping experience for visitors.
Canyoning and Adventure Sports: Engage in thrilling activities like canyoning, rafting, or paragliding offered by local adventure companies.
Gental Valley: Embark on picturesque hikes through the tranquil Gental Valley, offering stunning views of the surrounding peaks and meadows.
These activities provide a diverse range of experiences, from natural wonders and cultural attractions to adrenaline-pumping adventures, ensuring there’s something for everybody to enjoy within the vicinity of Meiringen, Switzerland.
Within Meiringen itself, there are several kid-friendly activities and attractions perfect for families:
Sherlock Holmes Museum: Explore the captivating world of Sherlock Holmes at the museum dedicated to the famous detective. It's an interactive experience showcasing exhibits related to the Sherlock Holmes stories, offering an engaging visit for kids.
Reichenbach Falls: A short walk from the town takes you to the base of the Reichenbach Falls, famous for its association with Sherlock Holmes. While the hike to the top might be challenging for younger children, the base area provides stunning views and a chance to enjoy the impressive waterfall.
Muggestutz Playground: Located in Meiringen, this playground is inspired by the local folklore of dwarfs (known as Muggestutz). It’s equipped with play structures, slides, and activities for children to enjoy.
Indoor Swimming Pool Meiringen: On days when the weather doesn’t cooperate, the indoor swimming pool offers a fun escape for kids. It features pools of varying depths, water slides, and play areas suitable for different ages.
Dedicated Skatepark Haslital: The Dedicated Skatepark Haslital in Meiringen is a vibrant, well-designed space catering to skateboarders, inline skaters, and BMX riders. This skatepark offers a variety of features and facilities designed to cater to different skill levels and styles.The park boasts a range of ramps, rails, and obstacles, providing ample opportunities for skaters and riders to practice and showcase their tricks.
Climbing gym (Kletterhalle Haslital): An indoor climbing facility that caters to climbers of all skill levels and ages. The climbing hall offers a diverse range of climbing walls, routes, and bouldering areas designed to provide climbers a challenging and enjoyable experience.
Outdoor swimming pool (Schwimmbad Meiringen): The area includes a large main swimming pool with clear, inviting waters perfect for leisurely laps or playful splashing. A separate children's pool is shallower and safer, designed specifically for younger swimmers to enjoy. Both pools are well-maintained and offer a clean and safe environment for water-based activities.
Meiringen Town Center: The charming town offers a relaxed atmosphere for families to stroll around, enjoying local shops, bakeries, and cafes. A leisurely walk through the streets can be enjoyable for kids, especially if paired with a treat from a local pastry shop.
Outdoor Play Areas: There are small parks and green spaces within Meiringen where children can play, run around, and enjoy some outdoor time.
These activities offer a blend of cultural experiences, outdoor fun, and playful adventures within the town, ensuring an enjoyable time for families exploring the area.
Skiing in Hasliberg offers a remarkable alpine experience that combines stunning scenery, varied slopes, and fantastic opportunities for skiers of all levels. Here’s why skiing in Hasliberg stands out:
Top Ski Slopes:
Wide Range of Slopes: Hasliberg boasts a diverse range of slopes catering to beginners, intermediate, and advanced skiers. From gentle, wide runs perfect for beginners to challenging black runs for seasoned skiers, there's something for everyone.
Käserstatt-Planplatten: This area is perfect for beginners and families with children. It features wide and gentle slopes ideal for learning and enjoying skiing or snowboarding.
Mägisalp-Planplatten: Intermediate skiers will love this area with its variety of red (intermediate) runs offering thrilling descents and beautiful views.
Brünig-Hasliberg: The Brünig side offers more advanced slopes, including challenging black runs and mogul fields for experienced skiers seeking an adrenaline rush.
Great Experiences:
Panoramic Views: The vistas from Hasliberg are breathtaking, offering panoramic views of the surrounding Bernese Oberland and the iconic peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. The scenery alone makes skiing here a memorable experience.
Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Hasliberg prides itself on being family-friendly, with ski schools and dedicated areas for children to learn and play. The Kinderland and Kids' Park provide a safe and fun environment for young skiers and snowboarders.
Snowpark and Freestyle: The "Big Pintenfritz" snow park caters to freestyle enthusiasts, featuring jumps, rails, and obstacles for those looking to add tricks and excitement to their skiing or snowboarding.
Après-Ski and Dining: After a day on the slopes, enjoy the cozy après-ski atmosphere at mountain restaurants and huts. Indulge in Swiss cuisine and soak in the alpine ambiance.
Accessibility: Hasliberg is easily accessible from Meiringen by a gondola lift, making it convenient for visitors staying in Meiringen or nearby areas.
The combination of well-groomed slopes, stunning scenery, family-friendly amenities, and opportunities for both leisurely skiing and thrilling descents makes Hasliberg an ideal destination for a memorable and enjoyable ski experience in Switzerland.
There's also a range of activities to keep kids entertained and engaged, whether it’s winter or summer:
Winter Activities:
Skiing and Snowboarding: The Hasliberg area offers fantastic family-friendly slopes suitable for all skill levels. There are ski schools catering specifically to kids, making it an ideal spot for children to learn or improve their skiing or snowboarding skills.
Snow Tubing and Sledding: There are dedicated areas for snow tubing and sledding, providing hours of fun for kids and families. Many resorts have designated slopes for these activities, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.
Winter Hiking and Snowshoeing: Explore the winter wonderland with kids-friendly hiking trails or snowshoeing routes. Guided tours are available, allowing children to learn about nature and wildlife in the snowy landscape.
Ice Skating: Several locations offer outdoor ice skating rinks during winter. The most famous is the seasonal ice rink built in the middle of the city center on Casinoplatz (during winter months). It’s a great way for kids to have fun and enjoy the snowy surroundings.
Summer Activities:
Hiking and Nature Trails: In the summer, the region around Meiringen opens up with numerous family-friendly hiking trails. Trails like the Muggestutz Dwarf Trail offer interactive experiences for kids, engaging them with stories and activities along the way.
Cycling and Mountain Biking: Rent bikes and explore the scenic routes around Meiringen. There are easy trails suitable for families, ensuring an enjoyable biking experience for kids.
Adventure Parks and Rope Courses: Look for adventure parks with rope courses and zip lines designed for kids. These parks offer various challenges and obstacles amidst the trees, providing thrilling adventures in a safe environment.
Swimming and Water Fun: Visit nearby lakes or swimming pools where kids can splash and enjoy the water. Lake Brienz and Lake Thun offer opportunities for boat rides or paddleboarding.
Alpine Farms and Animal Encounters: Some alpine farms in the area allow children to interact with farm animals, learn about local agriculture, and sometimes even participate in activities like milking cows.
Whether it’s enjoying the snowy slopes and winter activities or exploring the lush landscapes and outdoor adventures in summer, Meiringen offers a wide array of options to keep kids entertained and create lasting memories for families visiting the region.
Meiringen and its surrounding region in the Bernese Oberland offer an abundance of stunning hiking trails that cater to various skill levels and preferences. Here are some of the best hiking paths around Meiringen:
Gental Valley: Known for its serene beauty, Gental Valley boasts gentle hiking paths amidst lush meadows, offering panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and easy walks suitable for families.
Aare Gorge: This impressive gorge features well-maintained paths along the roaring Aare River, offering a thrilling and scenic hiking experience amidst dramatic rock formations.
Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge: A mesmerizing trail with wooden walkways and bridges that lead through a glacier-carved landscape, showcasing the breathtaking power of nature.
Brienzer Rothorn: For more experienced hikers, the Brienzer Rothorn offers challenging trails with rewarding panoramic views of Lake Brienz and the surrounding mountains.
Planetary Trail Melchsee-Frutt: Accessible by cable car, this educational trail combines hiking with learning about our solar system, making it an informative and enjoyable experience for all ages.
Engelhörner Panorama Trail: Located near Meiringen, this trail offers breathtaking views of the Engelhörner mountain range and the Hasli Valley, with paths suitable for intermediate hikers.
Muggestutz Dwarf Trail (Hasliberg): Perfect for families, this themed trail features dwarf-related stations, making the hike interactive and fun for kids while exploring the Hasliberg mountain.
These trails showcase the diverse beauty of the Swiss Alps, ranging from gentle walks in valleys to more challenging ascents with awe-inspiring vistas. Whether you seek a leisurely stroll or a more exhilarating adventure, Meiringen's hiking paths promise an unforgettable exploration of Switzerland's natural splendor.
Meiringen and its surrounding region offer several kid-friendly hiking trails amidst stunning landscapes. Here are some trails suitable for children:
Muggestutz Dwarf Trail: This themed trail on the Hasliberg mountain is perfect for families. It's adorned with stations featuring dwarf-related activities, making the hike interactive and fun for kids.
Grindelwald First Cliff Walk: While not directly in Meiringen but nearby, this trail offers an exciting suspension bridge and a cliff walkway, providing breathtaking views of the Eiger. It's relatively short and accessible for families.
Gental Valley: The Gental Valley boasts several hiking paths suitable for families with children. The trails wind through lush meadows and forests, offering beautiful views and easy terrain.
Aareschlucht Gorge Trail: The gorge has well-maintained pathways that are mostly flat and easily accessible, allowing families to explore its dramatic rock formations and the roaring Aare River.
Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge: This gorge offers an impressive walking trail that includes wooden walkways and bridges, showcasing the fascinating glacier-carved landscape.
Planetary Trail Melchsee-Frutt: Accessible by a cable car ride, this trail offers an educational experience with information about our solar system displayed along the path, making it informative and enjoyable for kids.
Bäregg Family Adventure Trail: Near the Trift Bridge area, this trail offers an adventurous experience with various stations, including a suspension bridge and interactive elements for children.
These trails cater to different ages and hiking abilities, allowing families to explore the stunning natural beauty of the Swiss Alps while keeping the kids engaged and entertained along the way.
Meiringen and its surrounding region offer some delectable specialty foods that are worth trying:
Meringues: Meiringen is famous for its contribution to the culinary world—the invention of the Meringue, a sweet treat made from whipped egg whites and sugar. These airy, crispy confections are a local specialty and come in various flavors and sizes.
Tatzelwurm: Just take a look here for more information: https://www.frutal.ch/spezialitaeten/#tazelwurm
Aged Alpine Cheese: Emmental and other Alpine cheeses produced in the region are a must-try. These cheeses are characterized by their nutty flavor and distinctive holes and are often used in traditional Swiss dishes like fondue and raclette.
Hasli Lebkuchen: A traditional gingerbread-like cookie made with honey, spices, and nuts. Hasli Lebkuchen is a specialty often found in the Meiringen area and makes for a delightful sweet snack.
Rösti: Though not exclusive to Meiringen, Rösti, a Swiss dish made from grated and fried potatoes, is a comforting specialty in the region. Often served as a side dish or a main course with various toppings, it's a hearty and satisfying meal.
Swiss Chocolate: While Switzerland as a whole is renowned for its chocolate, Meiringen often has its local chocolatiers who create delightful, artisanal chocolates. Look for small boutique shops to sample their unique creations.
Alpine Herbs and Teas: The Alpine region around Meiringen is rich in herbs and flowers. Locally produced herbal teas and infusions made from these Alpine herbs offer a refreshing taste of the area’s natural flavors.
Alpenbitter: A traditional Swiss herbal liqueur, Alpenbitter, often made from a secret blend of herbs and spices, is a popular digestive drink in the region.
Exploring local markets, bakeries, and specialty food shops in and around Meiringen will give you a chance to savor these delectable specialties that showcase the area's rich flavors and culinary heritage.