Brienzersee

Brienzersee, also known as Lake Brienz, is a Swiss lake located in the Bernese Oberland in the canton of Bern. It lies to the east of Interlaken and is bordered on the north by Brienz and on the south by villages such as Iseltwald. The lake covers about 29 to 30 square kilometers, is roughly 14 kilometers long, and reaches depths of around 262 meters. Its surface sits at about 564 meters above sea level. The water typically has a bright turquoise hue, caused in part by glacial rock flour carried into the lake by alpine streams.

Geography and hydrology: The Aare river flows out of the western end of Brienzersee, continuing toward Lake Thun. The lake is fed by mountain streams from the surrounding Alps, including glacial runoff. The shores vary from steep rock faces to gentler riverbanks, with settlements concentrated on the northern shore at Brienz and Bönigen, and more sparsely on the southern shore, including Iseltwald. The Brienzer Rothorn, a nearby peak, is a prominent excursion destination accessible by a mountain railway.

History and use: The Brienzersee has supported settlement and transport for centuries and developed into a tourist destination in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, visitors enjoy scenic boat cruises, hiking along the shore and into the surrounding mountains, and access to attractions such as the Giessbach area and the Brienzer Rothorn railway.

Economy and tourism: The lake area remains a center for tourism, offering boat services, lakeside villages with accommodations, and access to alpine activities. The natural scenery, combined with rail and road connections, makes Brienzersee a signature part of the Bernese Oberland landscape.