Kayak Tour of the Turquoise Lake Brienz

There's something special about seeing the Bernese Oberland from the water. Launching from Hightide's base in Bönigen, you'll paddle across the turquoise waters of Lake Brienz with the Alps filling the horizon in every direction — the kind of view that's hard to put into words until you're actually in it. The route follows the north shore, where sunbaked cliffs rise straight from the water, a 12th-century castle sits perched above Ringgenberg, and quiet little beaches break up the shoreline. We keep the pace relaxed with plenty of stops for photos, short rests, and just taking it all in. You'll spend around two hours on the water in total. Evening tours run the same route, but there's a different quality to it when the lake goes glassy and the sun starts dropping behind the hills above Interlaken. It's become a favourite for people looking for a calm, unhurried end to the day. No experience needed; this is a gentle, guided outing that works just as well for first-timers as it does for seasoned paddlers. Non-swimmers are welcome too. If you're short on time, there's also a 1.5-hour taster option to sample the lake.

1. 1

   Stop 1

2. 2

   Lake Brienz

3. 3

   Boenigen

4. 4

   Interlaken

5. 5

   Bernese Oberland

6. 6

   Jungfrau Region

7. 7

   Swiss Alps