Thun is often overshadowed by nearby Interlaken, but travelers who stay a little longer quickly discover that it is one of the most beautiful hiking bases in Switzerland. Located at the northern edge of the Bernese Oberland, the town sits between turquoise Lake Thun and some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in the country.
What makes hiking around Thun so special is the incredible contrast in landscapes. Within a single day, you can walk beside vineyards above the lake, climb panoramic mountain ridges overlooking snow-capped peaks, or wander through flower-filled alpine meadows with cowbells echoing across the valleys. Better still, the hiking infrastructure is exceptional, with perfectly marked trails, mountain railways, and scenic boats connecting villages around the lake.
In this post you will find five best hiking trails around Thun. Plan at least one week in the area so you don’t have to choose and you can walk them all.
1. Niederhorn Panorama Trail
The Most Beautiful View Over Lake Thun
If you want the classic postcard panorama of the Bernese Alps, the Niederhorn trail is the hike to choose. From the summit, the views stretch across Lake Thun toward the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks, creating one of the most iconic landscapes in Switzerland.
The easiest way to start is by taking the boat from Thun to Beatenbucht and then the funicular and gondola up to Niederhorn. From the summit station, follow the clearly marked ridge trail toward Gemmenalphorn.
The path gently rolls across alpine meadows and panoramic ridges, making it suitable even for less experienced hikers. Along the way, you may spot ibex on the rocky slopes above the trail.
To create a circular route, continue descending toward Waldegg before taking the gondola back down to Beatenberg and returning to Thun by bus or boat.
Distance: approximately 9–11 km
Time needed: 3.5 to 5 hours
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Best for: panoramic alpine scenery and families with older children
2. St. Beatus Caves and Sundlauenen Loop
The Best Family Hike Near Thun
This is one of the best family-friendly hikes around Lake Thun because it combines waterfalls, forests, lake views, and the famous St. Beatus caves.
Start from the village of Beatenberg or from the lakeside near the St. Beatus Caves entrance. Follow the forest trail signs toward Sundlauenen, climbing gradually through shaded woodland paths beside streams and waterfalls.
The caves themselves are worth visiting before or after the hike. According to Swiss legend, a dragon once lived here before being defeated by Saint Beatus. You can book your ticket online or buy them at the entrance. Check the official website for the detailed opening hours and ticket prices.
The circular route continues through quiet forest sections before descending again toward the lake and reconnecting with the cave area.
This is not a demanding hike, making it ideal for families and casual walkers wanting a scenic day outdoors without a major alpine climb.
Distance: around 7 km
Time needed: 2.5 to 3.5 hours
Difficulty: easy
Best for: families, relaxed hiking days, children
3. Harder Kulm to Habkern
A Panoramic Ridge Adventure
For hikers wanting a more intense mountain trail, the Harder Kulm to Habkern route offers incredible views over both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.
Begin by taking the funicular from Interlaken to Harder Kulm. From the viewpoint platform, follow ridge trail signs toward Augstmatthorn and Habkern. The path remains elevated for most of the hike, with sweeping panoramas over the Bernese Oberland peaks. Certain sections are narrow and exposed, especially near Augstmatthorn, so proper hiking shoes are essential. After reaching Habkern, buses connect back to Interlaken and onward to Thun.
Distance: approximately 14 km one way
Time needed: 5.5 to 7 hours
Difficulty: moderate to challenging
Best for: experienced hikers and photographers
4. Spiez Vineyard and Lake Loop – Relaxed Walk
Not every hike around Thun needs to involve steep alpine ascents. The Spiez vineyard loop is a wonderful option for travelers looking for gentle walking combined with lake views, wine terraces, and charming Swiss villages.
Start from Spiez train station and walk downhill toward the lake and Spiez Castle. From here, follow the vineyard trail signs climbing gently above the village. The route circles through terraced vineyards with magnificent views across Lake Thun toward the mountains. Continue toward Faulensee before looping back inland through orchards and quiet residential paths.
Because the trail remains relatively easy and close to villages, it is perfect for families or travelers wanting a more leisurely hiking experience.
Distance: around 8 km
Time needed: 2.5 to 3.5 hours
Difficulty: easy
Best for: families, wine lovers, relaxed lake scenery
5. Oeschinen Lake Hike – A must hike in the area
Although technically closer to Kandersteg, Oeschinen Lake is one of the most spectacular hiking destinations reachable from Thun and absolutely deserves a place on this list.
From Thun, take the train to Kandersteg and then the gondola toward Oeschinensee. Once at the upper station, follow the main trail descending gently toward the lake.
Most of the visitors stop on the shoreline but hikers continue along the panoramic upper circuit trail that loops above the lake. The views over the turquoise water and surrounding cliffs are extraordinary.
For a full circular hike, continue around the western side of the lake before climbing back toward the gondola station.
This route can become busy during summer, so I advice starting early in the morning.
Distance: approximately 10–12 km
Time needed: 4 to 5 hours
Difficulty: moderate
Best for: alpine lake scenery and full-day hiking
Where to Stay in Thun?
Thun has a wonderfully refined atmosphere, and there are several excellent boutique stays around the lake and old town.
For travelers wanting historic elegance directly in the center, Hotel Schlossberg is one of the best options. Built beside Thun Castle, it combines contemporary design with medieval architecture and has beautiful terraces overlooking the rooftops of the old town.
Another lovely boutique choice is Boutique Hotel Spedition, a stylish small hotel with modern interiors and an excellent restaurant located close to the river and historic center.
If you prefer a more rural and peaceful atmosphere, Guesthouse Schnittweier offers a quieter setting with direct access to hiking trails and panoramic views.
How to Get to Thun by Train?
One of the best things about visiting Thun is how easy it is to reach by public transportation. Switzerland’s railway system is exceptionally efficient, and Thun sits on one of the country’s main train routes.
From Zurich, direct trains reach Thun in around 1 hour and 30 minutes. From Geneva, expect roughly 2 hours, while travelers arriving from Milan can reach Thun in about 3 hours via Spiez.
Once you arrive at Thun station, you can easily continue by boat, bus, or mountain railway to many hiking starting points around the lake and Bernese Oberland.
Because Swiss public transport is so well integrated, it is entirely possible to enjoy several days of hiking around Thun without renting a car.
If you are planning a railway trip across Switzerland, check my dedicated post Most Scenic Train Rides in Switzerland for 2026.
Thun is one of Switzerland’s most underrated hiking destinations. It offers everything travelers dream about when imagining the Swiss Alps: turquoise lakes, panoramic mountain ridges, flower-filled meadows, and beautiful villages that seem untouched by time. What makes the area especially appealing is its balance. You can spend one day hiking high alpine trails above the clouds and the next enjoying gentle vineyard walks beside the lake.
If you are one of those travelers who searchi for scenic hikes in Switzerland without the overwhelming crowds of some larger resorts, Thun is an exceptional choice and one of the most rewarding bases in the Bernese Oberland.
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