Last Updated: May 2026
Interlaken, Switzerland sits dramatically between the turquoise Lakes Thun and Brienz in the Bernese Oberland, serving as the adventure hub of the Jungfrau region. This lakeside town draws nature lovers with its backdrop of snow-capped peaks like Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. On our Tauck Switzerland tour, Interlaken served as our base for two memorable nights — including a sunset dinner at Harder Kulm and a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Jungfraujoch the following day.
St. Moritz, Switzerland
From Lake Como, Italy we drove through the stunning Switzerland mountains, Bernina Alps to St. Moritz. We stopped at the 7,645 foot elevation pass for a quick picture and restroom break. Our driver, Tiago, loves driving the steep curves of the mountains. He did an excellent job.
We spent the night at the 5-star Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski St. Moritz. Sadly, we arrived late in the day and only had time to eat, sleep and get up early and leave.
Milchmanufaktur Einsiedeln
On our way from St. Moritz to Interlaken we drove through more beautiful Switzerland scenery until we arrived in Einsiedeln, Switzerland.
The cheese manufacturer is situated northeast of Interlaken. This modern dairy uses alpine milk from about 60 local farmers to create a range of cheeses, yogurts and dairy products, with transparent viewing areas for the cheese making process. We enjoyed seeing the production facility and doing tastings of their cheeses and various flavored yogurts.
Afterwards we visited their restaurant and store for fondue and wine.
We passed numerous ski jumps for those so inclined during the winter season. Not us, even when we were younger.
Interlaken, Switzerland
We were here for two nights to experience the mountains. Tomorrow we will visit Jungfraujoch, a glacier saddle at about 3,454 meters (over 11,335 feet) above sea level, connecting the Jungfrau and Mönch mountains in the Jungfrau‑Aletsch region.
Harder Kulm
Harder Kulm is the prominent viewpoint mountain above Interlaken. To get there we took the historic Harderbahn funicular railway. The funicular ascends 755 meters in 10 minutes to 1,322 meters, offering views of Lakes Thun and Brienz plus Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks.
Highlights include the Two Lakes Bridge viewing platform with a glass floor, Panorama Restaurant for meals with vistas, and a playground for families.
The views from the restaurant were amazing and the food was good.
Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel and Spa, Interlaken
This was our favorite 5-star hotel of the entire trip. Sadly, we had little free time to enjoy all of its amazing amenities.
The food and numerous places to hang out were perfect.
Paragliding tandem flights landed in front of the hotel every few minutes. It was fun to watch over breakfast.
Visitor Information
St. Moritz sits at 1,856 meters in the Engadin valley of canton Graubünden, roughly 3.5 hours from Zurich by car or train. The town is synonymous with alpine luxury and has twice hosted the Winter Olympics (1928 and 1948). The Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski is set directly on Lake St. Moritz. The scenic Bernina Express rail route through the Bernina Alps is a UNESCO World Heritage railway journey — one of the most beautiful train rides in Europe.
Einsiedeln is located in canton Schwyz, about 40 kilometers southeast of Zurich. In addition to the Milchmanufaktur dairy, the town is home to Einsiedeln Abbey — one of Europe’s great Baroque pilgrimage churches, drawing over a million visitors each year.
Interlaken sits at 570 meters between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz in the Bernese Oberland, about 55 kilometers south of Bern. It is the primary gateway to the Jungfrau region. The Harderbahn funicular departs from the east bank of the Aare River near Interlaken Ost station and operates daily from late March through November. The Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel and Spa, opened in 1865, is one of Switzerland’s most iconic grand hotels, situated on the Höheweg promenade with direct views of the Jungfrau massif.
Practical Tips
Getting around: Switzerland’s rail network connects both St. Moritz and Interlaken efficiently. The Swiss Travel Pass covers most trains, buses, boats, and mountain railways — including the Harderbahn funicular to Harder Kulm.
Harder Kulm timing: Visit in the late afternoon or early evening for golden-hour light on the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. The Panorama Restaurant is an excellent spot for dinner with mountain views — reservations are strongly recommended in peak season.
Altitude and weather: The Bernina Alps pass sits above 7,600 feet, so temperatures can be cool even in summer — layers are essential. St. Moritz at 1,856 meters and Interlaken at 570 meters have noticeably different climates, so pack accordingly.
Milchmanufaktur Einsiedeln: The cheese fondue lunch included on the Tauck tour was one of the most memorable food experiences of the entire trip. If you visit independently, the restaurant serves fondue and raclette year-round and the shop stocks their full range of alpine cheeses and flavored yogurts to take home.
Next stop: From Interlaken, our Tauck tour continued to Jungfraujoch — the “Top of Europe” glacier saddle at over 11,000 feet above sea level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Harder Kulm and how do you get there?
Harder Kulm is a 1,322-meter viewpoint mountain directly above Interlaken, offering sweeping panoramas of Lakes Thun and Brienz and the famous trio of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. You reach it via the Harderbahn funicular railway, which departs near Interlaken Ost station and takes about 10 minutes to climb 755 meters. The Two Lakes Bridge at the summit features a glass-floor viewing platform with dizzying views straight down to Interlaken.
Is the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel worth staying at?
It was our favorite hotel of the entire Switzerland Tauck tour. The rooms are beautifully appointed, the food is superb, and watching paragliders land on the front lawn over breakfast is an unforgettable experience. The hotel has multiple restaurants, a world-class spa, and an unbeatable location on Interlaken’s main promenade facing Jungfrau. We only wished we had more free time to enjoy the amenities.
What is the Milchmanufaktur Einsiedeln?
Milchmanufaktur Einsiedeln is an artisan dairy in Einsiedeln, Switzerland, producing cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products using alpine milk sourced from about 60 local farms. Visitors can watch the entire cheese-making process through transparent viewing areas and taste the results. Our Tauck tour included a guided demonstration and a traditional cheese fondue lunch — a highlight of the day.
How long does it take to travel from Lake Como to Interlaken?
The scenic route through the Bernina Alps from Lake Como to Interlaken via St. Moritz takes approximately 4–5 hours by coach, not counting stops. Our Tauck itinerary included a pause at the 7,645-foot Bernina Pass for photos and an overnight stay at the Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski in St. Moritz before continuing through Einsiedeln to Interlaken the following morning.
