Lake Thun
Lake Thun is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Interlaken audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~60 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type nature
- Suggested visit ~60 min
- Interlaken Interlaken guide
About Lake Thun
The turquoise lake west of Interlaken, the largest entirely within one Swiss canton, ringed by villages, vineyards and castles and crossed by steamers, including a historic paddle steamer of 1906.
Lake Thun, the Thunersee, is the turquoise Alpine lake that stretches west from Interlaken toward the town of Thun, which gives it its name. About seventeen and a half kilometres long and up to 217 metres deep, it is the largest lake lying entirely within a single Swiss canton. Steamers have crossed it since 1835, and the fleet still includes the historic paddle steamer Blümlisalp, built in 1906, rescued from the scrapyard and returned to service in 1992.
Long ago, Lake Thun and neighbouring Lake Brienz were one lake, until sediment built up the flat Bödeli plain, on which Interlaken stands, and split them in two; Lake Brienz still feeds Lake Thun through the Aare. The shores are lined with villages, vineyards around Thun and Spiez, and fairy-tale castles such as Oberhofen, standing in the water. Above the north shore open the St. Beatus Caves. A cruise from Interlaken West is one of the loveliest ways to see it all.
Did you know? Lake Thun is the largest lake lying entirely within a single Swiss canton, about 17.5 kilometres long and up to 217 metres deep.
How long should you spend at Lake Thun?
Plan about ~60 min at Lake Thun. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Lake Thun worth visiting?
Lake Thun is one of the 13 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Interlaken, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Interlaken
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about Lake Thun and read more:
Day 1 of the Interlaken in 2 days itinerary →
Updated:
Hear the story of Lake Thun
Preview the Interlaken tour free in the Gingerguide app.