📷 Photo by Sam Ferrara on UnsplashLakes Thun and Brienz to the Grimsel Pass
Lakeside castles and caves, Giessbach’s cascades, the Aare Gorge and a granite pass high above the Haslital.
- Distance
- 90 km (56 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 15 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 9
- Countries
- Switzerland
- Updated
- July 25, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 90 km (56 mi) with 9 stops, from Thun to Grimsel Pass. About 1 h 15 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Switzerland · More road trips from Interlaken
Route description
Thun, with its castle above the Aare, is the gateway to the Bernese Oberland. Follow the north shore of Lake Thun to Oberhofen, where the castle’s tower stands in the water, and on to the St. Beatus Caves above the lake, with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau ahead.
Interlaken lies between the two lakes; skip it or stop for a stroll. Continue along Lake Brienz to Brienz, a wood-carving village, and take the narrow road to the Giessbach Falls, which tumble down fourteen steps to the lake.
At Meiringen, walk through the Aare Gorge and see the Reichenbach Falls, where Sherlock Holmes “died”. The town is also said to be where meringues were invented.
Road 6 then climbs the Haslital through Guttannen and past dams and granite slabs to the Grimsel Pass at 2,164 m, from where you can descend into the Valais or continue over the Furka. The pass is usually open from June to October; the road is wide and suitable for motorhomes.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Thun
Switzerland - 25 km
Oberhofen Castle
HistoryOberhofen am Thunersee, SwitzerlandA castle whose slender tower stands in Lake Thun, surrounded by a lakeside park. The tower against the Alps is the classic photo.
- 313 km
St. Beatus Caves
NatureBeatenberg, SwitzerlandCaves above Lake Thun where legend says St. Beatus drove out a dragon, with waterfalls at the entrance and lit halls inside. Parking is on the lake road below.
- 47 km
Interlaken
Switzerland - 519 km
Brienz
Switzerland - 63 km
Giessbach Falls
NatureBrienz, SwitzerlandFourteen cascades tumble through the forest to Lake Brienz beside a grand old hotel, and a path leads behind one of them. The road from Brienz is narrow; the lake boat is the easy alternative.
- 715 km
Meiringen
Switzerland - 82 km
Aare Gorge
NatureMeiringen, SwitzerlandWalkways cling to the walls of a 1.4 km limestone gorge, barely a metre wide in places. A small train links the entrances at each end.
- 926 km
Grimsel Pass
ViewsGuttannen, SwitzerlandA 2,164 m pass of polished granite and reservoirs between the Bernese Oberland and the Valais. The road is usually open from June to October.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Thun → Interlaken · 25 km · 0 h 21 minOn the way: Oberhofen Castle, St. Beatus Caves.Overnight nearby, for example: JungfrauCamp (2 km); Manor Farm (4 km).
- Day 2: Interlaken → Meiringen · 37 km · 0 h 31 minOn the way: Brienz, Giessbach Falls.Overnight nearby, for example: Hofstatt-Derfli (1 km); Grimselblick (4 km).
- Day 3: Meiringen → Grimsel Pass · 27 km · 0 h 23 minOn the way: Aare Gorge.Overnight nearby, for example: Grimselblick (18 km); Camping Gadmen (20 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Cold, short days in December–March. Mountain passes on this route are usually open June–October. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Switzerland: Vignette needed for motorways. Vehicles over 3.5 t pay the heavy vehicle charge instead of the vignette. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
- Furkapass (2,429 m). Usually open June–October; outside that window the road can be closed by snow. Alternative: The Furka car-carrying train (Oberwald–Realp) runs all year.
- Grimselpass (2,164 m). Usually open June–October; outside that window the road can be closed by snow. Alternative: Go round via the Brünig and Furka car train.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Lakes Thun and Brienz to the Grimsel Pass?
3-day road trip of about 90 km (56 mi) with 9 stops, from Thun to Grimsel Pass. About 1 h 15 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Lakes Thun and Brienz to the Grimsel Pass?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 15 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Lakes Thun and Brienz to the Grimsel Pass start and end?
It starts in Thun and ends in Grimsel Pass.
Which countries does Lakes Thun and Brienz to the Grimsel Pass pass through?
Switzerland.
Where can you camp along Lakes Thun and Brienz to the Grimsel Pass?
OpenStreetMap lists 92 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: TCS Camping Thunersee - Gwatt, Manor Farm and JungfrauCamp.
When is the best time for Lakes Thun and Brienz to the Grimsel Pass?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
