Bernese Oberland

118
BERNESE OBERLAND INTERLAKEN
invaluable tips. Sure, the rooms are a blast
from the 1970s, but they are super-clean and
you’d be hard pushed to fi nd better value in
Interlaken. Breakfast (Sfr7) is copious and
the fondue dinner, which includes wine and
dessert, a bargain at Sfr19 per person.
Swiss Inn B&B $$
(%033 822 36 26; www.swiss-inn.ch; General
Guisanstrasse 23; d Sfr140-160, apt Sfr180-200;
piWc) A tranquil retreat set in rosestrewn
gardens, this handsome villa is run by
dream duo Veronica and JP. Opt for a bright,
spacious double or a family-sized apartment
complete with kitchenette and balcony.
Breakfast will set you back an extra Sfr12.
Hotel Krebs BOUTIQUE HOTEL $$
(%033 826 03 30; www.krebshotel.ch; Bahnhofstrasse
4; s/d/ste 185/290/490; paiW) This
revamped boutique hotel sports rooms in
earthy tones with bold splashes of scarlet,
black-and-white photos of mountains, and
designer fl ourishes a-plenty. All feature
glam bathrooms, fl at-screen TVs and wi-fi .
Downstairs there’s a self-consciously trendy
bar and an Asian-French restaurant (mains
Sfr34 to Sfr52).
STEPHAN SIEGRIST
Balmer’s Herberge HOSTEL $
(%033 822 19 61; www.balmers.ch; Hauptstrasse
23; dm Sfr28.50, s/d/tr/q Sfr44.50/77/101/134;
pW) Adrenalin junkies hail Balmer’s for
its fun frat-house vibe. These party-mad
digs off er beer-garden happy hours, wrap
lunches, a pumping bar with DJs, and chillout
hammocks for nursing your hangover.
But some travellers think Balmer’s should
invest backpacker dosh in longer, thicker
mattresses and ditch the theme-park feel.
Post Hardermannli HOTEL $$
(%033 822 89 19; www.post-hardermannli.ch;
Hauptstrasse 18; s Sfr90-105, d 135-175; p) An
aff able Swiss-Kiwi couple, Andreas and
Kim, run this ornate, fl ower-bedecked chalet.
Rooms are simple yet comfy, decorated with
pine and pastels. Cheaper rooms forgo balconies
and Jungfrau views. Home-grown farm
produce is served at breakfast.
Hotel Royal St Georges HISTORIC HOTEL $$
(%033 822 75 75; www.royal-stgeorges.ch;
Höheweg 139; s Sfr130-200, d Sfr190-300) Highceilinged
spaces decorated with wrought
iron, marble and chandeliers transport
you back to the more graceful era of art
Professional alpinist, mountain guide and BASE jumper, Stephan Siegrist (www.stephan
-siegrist.ch) has travelled all over the world in pursuit of adventure, from Antarctica to
the Indian Himalaya. He has opened up some of the most diffi cult climbing routes on
Eiger and lives near Interlaken.
The Bernese Alps
We have some of the most beautiful mountains right here in the Swiss Alps. Eiger, Mönch
and Jungfrau are the gems of the Bernese Oberland and I am privileged enough to live
on their doorstep. Lauterbrunnen is known for its spectacular waterfalls, cliff s and BASE
jumpers. The sport has a very strong presence in the valley.
Favourite Climbs
Jungfrau Region, Haslital and Kanderthal all have an incredible amount of good climbing
spots. In Interlaken we are really spoilt! Lehn is one of the more popular climbing spots.
The crag is better suited for intermediate to advanced climbers. The rock is very special
in the region and the routes are diverse and challenging. It’s a great place to go train.
The Eiger is a very important place for me and over the years we’ve been through a lot
together; I have shared a lot of intense moments on that mountain! Kanderthal is a great
place for ice climbing and hosts the Annual Ice Climbing Festival in Kandersteg.
Getting Started
It’s best is to grab a local guidebook or visit one of the climbing shops like Vertical Sport
in Interlaken where you can get all the info and gear you need. We also have a few
climbing halls in the Bernese Oberland that off er courses to beginners.