Europe > Switzerland > Ringgenberg

Ringgenberg, Switzerland

This cozy village is on the shores of Lake Brienz, alongside the resort of Interlaken in Switzerland's Bernese Oberland.

ABOVE: Three cows and a kid in Ringgenberg.

By Durant Imboden

Ringgenberg is a village that doesn't show up in many guidebooks, and few English-speaking tourists are even aware of it. For one thing, the town doesn't have any obvious tourist attractions, except for a handsome little stone church that was built on the ruins of a castle in the 1600s and a nearby mini-lake that's warm enough for swimming from late May or early June through September.

So why visit Ringgenberg? Easy: It's less crowded than its popular neighbor, Interlaken. It's also prettier. And you'll probably save money on accommodations, too, thanks to several reasonably priced hotels and a large number of private rooms that you can rent with help from the local Verkehrsbüro (tourist office). Chalet apartment rentals are another option if you're staying more than a few days.

Getting to Ringgenberg

Ringgenberg is practically a suburb of Interlaken. The village center is just 3 km (1.8 miles) from Interlaken, and the walk takes you through pleasant scenery along the shores of Lake Brienz.

ABOVE: Ringgenberg's 17th Century church is built on the ruins of a castle.

Carrying luggage? From the Interlaken Ost railroad station, you can take a regional train in the direction of Brienz and Lucerne, getting off at the Ringgenberg stop (a 3-minute trip).

Alternatively, you can catch the local bus (a 6- to 8-minute trip) or drive your own car on the road toward Brienz.

Best of all: If you've got 15 minutes to spare, you can board a lake steamer at Interlaken Ost and get off at the scenic boat landing below Ringgenberg's  (photo above). Then follow the path uphill to the main street of the village. For transportation information, see the Swiss Federal Railways journey planner.

Bottom line: Ringgenberg may not be the liveliest resort in Switzerland, but it's an attractive village of chalets and is a handy touring base for Interlaken and the Lake Brienz region.

Related Web sites:

Tourist Information

Interlaken: Ringgenberg-Goldswil-Niederried
This English-language page has information about the local tourist office, including an e-mail address and phone number. Also see Switzerland Tourism: Ringgenberg for photos and suggested activities.

Burgseeli Lido
The "little castle lake" between Ringgenberg and Goldswil is warm enough for swimming from May through September. The lake is in a nature reserve, with an adjacent meadow for picnics and sunbathing.

Hotels and vacation rentals

Booking.com: Ringgenberg our partner
Europe's leading secure reservations site offers a selection of hotels and holiday rentals in and around Ringgenberg. The detailed listings include photos, ratings, and reviews by paying guests.

ABOVE: A typical chalet on a Ringgenberg hillside above Lake Brienz.

Related articles

Canton Bern Articles europeforvisitors.com
This index has links to our articles about the Swiss capital and attractions in the Bernese Oberland, including nearby Brienz.

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