A beautiful destination with a few caveats
Adelboden, while not quite as enchanting as Sils-Maria, still offered a wonderful experience. Situated in the Jungfrau region, it’s known for its waterfalls and slightly more touristy atmosphere. Although we had one issue with the train, overall transportation was smooth, clean and reliable, with plenty of roads for cars.
There were numerous drinking fountains, and being near the mineral water factory meant we had access to a fountain with especially refreshing water. Many locally made products were available for purchase. Instead of staying in a hotel, we opted for an Airbnb this time, which was a refreshing change. Cooking was enjoyable, especially with the high-quality local meats. However, I was disappointed by the scarcity of Swiss nut pies compared to Sils-Maria; while they were available in a few stores, they were less common.
The view from the Airbnb was fantastic, offering stunning sights of the surrounding mountains. However, the increased traffic compared to Sils-Maria was a slight drawback, but it was minor and only in certain areas. The Airbnb itself was located in a place with not much traffic, and so were most walks.
The weather was different compared to Sils-Maria. We experienced some rain, and it had snowed in the days before our visit. I actually enjoyed this, as the snow on the mountains was beautiful, though it had melted by the time we were ready to head home.
Exploring the region
The Jungfrau region offered plenty to explore, including waterfalls and scenic hikes. Multi-day cable car passes were a smart choice, allowing us to cover more ground. While we did hike some mountains, none reached the heights of the peaks we conquered in Sils-Maria. At one point, I experienced some vertigo when the clouds drifted below us, but the breathtaking view made it worth it.
Some of the highlights from our trip included:
- Cholerenschlucht – A stunning gorge.
- Giant Swing at Tsjenalp – A unique and thrilling experience.
- Trümmelbach Falls – Visited by car, these falls are hidden inside the mountains. I expected the force of the water to make the surrounding walls tremble, but that didn’t happen.
- Oeschinensee – A picturesque alpine lake.
- Brienz Wildpark – Also accessible by car, offering a chance to see local wildlife up close.
- Hängebrügg Beizli – A picturesque bridge with wonderful views of the surrounding nature.
Each spot offered something different, and the variety of hiking trails ensured there was something for everyone, from easy wheelchair-accessible paths to challenging panoramic hikes high in the mountains.
Tourist traps
The Jungfrau region has several tourist traps. While some are worth visiting depending on your preferences, you may not want to make them your top priority. The biggest tourist trap in the area is the Jungfraujoch station, which is very expensive but likely spectacular. We chose to skip it. Lauterbrunnen, known for the Trümmelbach Falls and its scenic view, was densely packed with tourists. But the falls themselves were manageable to visit thanks to controlled entry. The town of Lauterbrunnen is rather small, so you do not need to spend a full day there.
While passing through Interlaken, we noticed tourism and some unexpected garbage. Garbage is rare in Switzerland. The Cholerenschlucht attracted visitors but was not too crowded. The Hängebrügg Beizli was similar. Of the two, I would recommend the Cholerenschlucht more. Although the walk towards the bridge was nice, and there is also a nice path beneath the bridge. Oeschinensee had some crowds but the area is spacious enough that it didn't feel overcrowded.
We didn’t visit Grindelwald, which is often called a tourist trap. But it might be worth visiting if the views are as impressive as those in Sils-Maria. The descriptions of the area sound appealing. It is a car-free area, though. Adelboden felt free from tourism despite sometimes having crowded buses. It was a nice place to stay in. The Giant Swing and Brienz Wildpark were also free from heavy tourism.
Adelboden picture gallery