Lake Brienz Shore Path: Bönigen to Iseltwald

The Lake Brienz shore path links Bönigen, just east of Interlaken, with the village of Iseltwald on the southern shore of Lake Brienz in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. The walk starts near the BLS boat landing in Bönigen and covers about 8 km one way in roughly 2 to 2.5 hours, with only about 100 m of total ascent. It is an easy route suitable for first-time hikers. Access is simple: a BLS ship or bus runs from Interlaken Ost to Bönigen, so no car or permit is needed, and the return from Iseltwald is by BLS ship or PostAuto bus line 103 back to Interlaken Ost. The surface is a mix of forest track, gravel and short sections of lakeside path, with a few roots and gentle undulations rather than steep climbs. Much of the way runs through woodland, so shade is frequent, and small coves along the shore offer places to rest or swim in summer. The turquoise water, wooded slopes and occasional views across the lake toward the Brienzer Rothorn side make this a calm contrast with the high-alpine routes nearby. The route ends at Iseltwald, a small village known for its lake castle on a promontory, where cafés and the boat landing provide refreshments and shelter. There are no mountain huts on the path, and drinking water should be carried although the villages at both ends have shops and restaurants. Because the trail is close to the lake and roads, it is easy to cut short; walkers can join the PostAuto line or a boat at intermediate points where services stop. The path is generally walkable from spring to late autumn and is a good choice for days when high trails are unsuitable. After heavy rain, some forest sections can be muddy, so shoes with grip are useful.