Lake Brienz Guided Kayak Tour, Interlaken

Lake Brienz from the water

Lake Brienz is the eastern of Interlaken's two lakes, about 14 kilometres long and up to around 260 metres deep. Its turquoise colour comes from glacial rock flour carried down by mountain rivers, which floats in the water and reflects the sunlight. From a kayak, sitting just above the surface, the colour is even more intense than from the shore.

Is Lake Brienz worth visiting? Paddling it is one of the calmest and most beautiful ways to enjoy it, away from engines and crowds. The water is cold, even in summer usually below 20°C, which keeps it crystal clear. The best time to visit Lake Brienz for kayaking is from late spring to early autumn, ideally on a sunny, windless morning.

Bönigen and the Lütschine river mouth

The tour starts in Bönigen, a quiet village at the western tip of the lake with old wooden chalets along a lakeside promenade. Right next to it, the Lütschine river pours in, carrying meltwater from the glaciers around Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen. The village is also a stop for the lake boats that link Interlaken with Brienz.

Crossing the river mouth, you can see where the milky glacial water meets the clearer lake, painting stripes of different blues and greens. Your coach explains how the river has built a delta of gravel over centuries, on which much of Interlaken and Bönigen now stand. How to get to Bönigen from Interlaken: a local bus from Interlaken Ost takes about 10 minutes.

The cliffs of the north shore

From the delta the group heads towards the north shore, where steep cliffs and dense forest drop almost straight into deep water. There are no beaches here and only a few houses, so the shoreline feels wild and untouched, with waterfalls trickling down the rock after rain. Birds such as herons and grebes often rest along this stretch.

Paddling close to the cliffs, you see the rock layers that formed the Alps and the clear water below your kayak. The coach chooses the exact route according to wind and water conditions, and there is usually time to stop, rest and swim from a quiet spot if the weather is warm. It is the most peaceful part of this Interlaken kayak tour.

Mountain views around the lake

From the middle of the lake the view opens up in every direction. Behind you rise the forested slopes of the Harder above Interlaken, while the Brienzer Rothorn range lines the north side and snowy peaks of the Bernese Oberland appear to the south on clear days.

Because a kayak sits so low, the mountains seem to rise directly out of the water, making for memorable photos. Your coach takes care of the photo package, so you can keep your phone safely stowed and simply enjoy the scenery. Morning tours often have the stillest water and the clearest views. On a calm day the mountains are mirrored perfectly in the lake.

Interlaken, adventure base between two lakes

Interlaken lies on a flat strip of land between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, joined by the River Aare. It is the gateway to the Jungfrau region and one of the best-known adventure centres in Europe, with activities from paragliding to canyoning starting within minutes of the town.

A half-day kayak tour is one of the gentler options, ideal to combine with a mountain excursion on the same or next day. The town centre has several halal-friendly restaurants, so planning a meal before or after your paddle is easy. Many guests paddle in the morning and spend the afternoon on a boat trip or a short visit to the town of Brienz, known for its woodcarving tradition. Supermarkets near Interlaken Ost and Interlaken West stations are handy for picnic supplies.