Iseltwald is a traditional fishing village in a small bay on Lake Brienz. There are several options to choose from when planning your visit: an easy village walk of about an hour, several circular routes and the longer panoramic trail. There are also specific opportunities to swim and relax by the lake.
Circular Routes and Waterfall
The 3.10-kilometre village walk is an easy circular route that takes about an hour and heads towards MĂĽlibachfall. If you are planning a longer hike, the Iseltwald Panorama Trail offers an 11.51-kilometre circular route of moderate difficulty. It starts and ends at the village square. Trail conditions can change; check the current route conditions before setting out.
MĂĽlibachfall is accessible from Iseltwald via a short footpath. The water plunges several metres over a rocky ledge into a pool, then flows from there into Lake Brienz. A bench behind the waterfall invites you to sit and listen to the rushing water. The Farnihubelweg leads from the village square to the Farnihubel viewpoint and back. From there, you can see across Iseltwald Bay and towards Seeburg at the end of the peninsula.
The panoramic trail reveals more of the surrounding area: from the Isch section, the view stretches from Lake Brienz over Interlaken to Lake Thun. The route also passes the Schwerzgaden barbecue area, right beside turquoise Lake Brienz. Another circular route is the Senggflueweg: from the village square, it leads via Sengg and the Mühlibach waterfall to Senggflue and back. The Three Waterfalls Trail is another route, leading from Bönigen via Iseltwald and the Giessbach Falls to Brienz.
Swimming and Activities by the Lake
Iseltwald lido offers swimming in Lake Brienz, with a gentle entry into the water or a diving board. The facilities include lounges, barbecue areas and a bistro. For children, there is a ship-shaped play tower with a slide, climbing wall and swings, as well as a sandpit and a water play feature. Stand-up paddleboards and sit-on-top kayaks are also available.
The “Treasures of Iseltwald” treasure hunt has no set order: you set your own pace and can complete all the tasks or just some of them. The activities focus on slowing down, gratitude and reflection; destinations include Mülibachfall and the Schwerzgaden barbecue area. KrimiSpass Iseltwald guides you through the landscape as a detective, following clues. The game can be played year-round, around the clock; you need a smartphone with internet access. Check the current game conditions before setting out.
Village History and Notable Places
A field oven built in the 17th century stands by the lakeshore on Uferstrasse. Seeburg is privately owned and cannot be visited; it can only be viewed from the outside. Schnäggeninseli is the only island in Lake Brienz. There is a small chapel on the island; it is privately owned.
Getting to Iseltwald
Public buses run year-round from Interlaken West or Interlaken Ost to Iseltwald; the journey takes about 30 minutes. During the season, Iseltwald is also reachable by boat from Interlaken Ost in around 40 minutes. The boat route on Lake Brienz runs from Brienz via the Giessbach Falls and Oberried to Iseltwald, then continues via Niederried, Ringgenberg and Bönigen to Interlaken Ost. As the boat service is seasonal, check the timetable when planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Interlaken, GĂĽndlischwand, Brienz, Leissigen, LĂĽtschental, Schwanden bei Brienz, Niederried bei Interlaken, Wengen
Go to the higher-level travel overview: Interlaken.
