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Lake Brienz (Brienzersee), Switzerland
Above : Paddle Steamer Lotschberg sails end-to-end through
magnificent scenery. Thanks to Malcolm Oliver
for this photo taken in 2008
Paddle Steamer Lotschberg is based at the famous resort of Interlaken,
built on the flat area of land which divides Lake Brienz from Lake
Thun. Although there are navigable channels from both lakes to Interlaken
itself, the steamers cannot pass from one lake to the other. Lotschberg
therefore docks at Interlaken-Ost (East) and on arrival backs
up the channel. Seen left, the steamer is leaving Interlaken and
once it clears the railway bridge it finds itself in Lake Brienz
On the south side, the village of Isleten-Isenthal juts out into
the lake. It is one of the few settlements on the steep shores and
motor cars are normally restricted from accessing the lakeside area.
The northern shore is a little less precipitous in parts. Lotschberg
prepares to call at Oberried.
View of Lotschberg at Oberried pier
Close to the eastern end of the lake is the Giessbach waterfall
with an impressive hotel perched high above overlooking the lake.
The terminus for services on Lake Brienz is the pretty small
town of Brienz itself. From here there are onward connections by
train to Luzern on a narrow-gauge main-line which involves a steep
climb to get away from the lake area. Roads penetrate onwards through
a flat valley past the Reichenbach Falls, fictional scene of the
death of the famous investigator Sherlock Holmes in the novels of
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the town of Meiringen before reaching
the spectacular Susten Pass. A popular attraction at Brienz is the
Rothorn Mountain Railway, steam operated and affording magnificent
views over lake Brienz.
Very close to Brienz lies Ballenberg,
the Swiss National Outdoor Museum, where traditional farmhouses
and chalets from across the Swiss cantons have been re-built amidst
pleasant countryside to illustrate farming and country life of the
past.
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