Brienzwiler-Interlaken

Andreas and Joschika with Brenes (from 12.05.2018):
After a restful night and an extensive breakfast, we leave the Eichhof in beautiful weather for Interlaken. After 100m we are already back on the Way of St. James and hike through forests and across meadows - the mountains and Lake Brienz always in view. The path leads us through the beautiful and traditional villages of Hofstetten and Schwanden towards Brienz. Brienz is home to the only full-time violin-making school and the only school of woodcarving in Switzerland. So it is not surprising that since the first kilometre of today we have been encountering sculptures along the way or in the beautiful gardens. The path leads along the lake for some time and then turns right, up into the woods on the steep mountain sides above Brienz. The ascent is pleasant, but with little shade and we start to sweat. Once you have reached the top, the route continues through forests, over alps and meadows - sometimes a bit up, then down again. Remarkably often we cross deep ditches and it is hard to imagine what comes down here during a thunderstorm. About at kilometer 10, at the height of Ebligen, we pass the suspension bridge "Underweidligrabe". Despite the magnificent view from the bridge, it is probably not suitable for all 2- and 4-legged people, but it really starts swinging! The bridge is closed in the months November - March. An alternative route is indicated.
With still some soft knees from the rocking we march on and follow the forest path down to the lake to Oberried. Along the way wild violets bloom, orchids and lizards take shelter from Brenes. Suddenly we pause: in front of us a more than 1m long viper lies on the path and basks in the sun. What a surprise. Unfortunately, as a result of an avalanche, we cannot hike on Route 4 to Niederried as planned. Due to the lack of alternatives we have to follow the relatively busy road for some kilometres. Once we arrive in Niederried, we turn back onto the Way of St. James and finally allow ourselves the lunch break, once planned for shortly after Oberried. We continue up the mountain and shortly after that down again to Ringgenberg. From far away the beautiful castle church, which can be reached by 92 steps, catches the eye. Then we have already reached the end of the lake at Goldswil and follow the right bank of the Aare. The view back reaches again to the other end of the lake and to Brienzwiler where we started this morning. Wow! The last few kilometres always lead along the Aare directly into the lively old town of Interlaken.

This hike (24 km, 800m ascent and 900m descent) can be done with a solid basic condition. Except for the suspension bridge and some steep descents on loose ground no difficulties are to be expected.