Where Lake Thun merges into the beautiful green Aare.

Where river and lake meet

Lake Thun – a local recreation area and popular tourist destination at the same time. Definitely a major attraction – but by no means the only one. The Aare is just one of them. Numerous bodies of water run through the gateway to the Bernese Oberland. Streams originate in the mountain peaks, flow down from the mountains over hill and dale, fresh and clear. They meet rivers and gather in lakes.

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The view of Lake Thun, nestled between the mountains of the Bernese Oberland.

Eissstockschiessen auf dem Thuner Mühleplatz.

The Bernese muse and the natural idyll

It inspired Endo Anaconda, singer and songwriter of the dialect band ‘Stiller Has’, to write the song ‘Aare’, in which he sings about what you encounter when you walk along the Aare. It is the longest river in Switzerland, the largest tributary of the Rhine and carries more water than the Moselle and Main combined, rising at the Upper and Lower Aare glaciers in the Grimsel region.


But it is not only the Aare that offers an extremely tranquil view as it flows through the Bernese Oberland. The Glütschbach also offers fairytale banks. It rises at an altitude of 1700 metres as the Feusibach, meets the Fluhbach in the municipality of Reutigen and becomes 
the Glütschbach.

Steep into the depths

Originating in the Siebenbrunnen – a crevice with seven springs on the Rezlialp – the Simme stretches for 55 kilometers down to Wimmis, where it flows into the Kander.  On the way, the Simmen Falls plunge 200 meters into the down towards Lenk. Near 
Zweisimmen, the Kleine Simme, which has its source near Saanen­möser, flows into the Simme.

 

375 meters long and 350 meters wide, it is the second largest lake in the Gürbetal. The privately owned Uebeschi lake – just like its banks – is a nature reserve. Swimming is permitted, but only for locals and at your own risk. This delights the diverse animal world that lives in and around the water. In addition to numerous bird species, the lake is a home to pikes in particular. The pre­datory fish feed on other fish, birds, frogs and even small mammals.

Lake Uebeschi is a remnant of the last ice age.

A lot of impressive historical buildings are dotted around Lake Thun.

Eissstockschiessen auf dem Thuner Mühleplatz.

Jewel of the Bernese Oberland and dream destination for photographers

It is the largest lake in Switzerland that lies entirely within the same canton – Lake Lake Thun is a rec­reational area and habitat in equal measure. It is 17.5 kilometers long and 2.5 kilometers wide. Its deepest point is 217 meters below the water’s surface. Tourists and locals alike enjoy the crossing of the lake on one of the many boats. Fishermen appreciate the variety of fish and water sports fans also get their money’s worth here.


Just 430 meters long and 170 meters wide, the small lake is a popular subject for pictures of all kinds. Whether you want to get to work with an easel and watercolours or wait for the perfect moment with your camera – Lake Dittligsee will enchant you with its fairytale reflections. Beavers are currently making themselves at home on and in the Dittligsee. The lake is also a welcome habitat for numerous species of fish.