Sunset Walk: Fondue Backpack & Castle Ruins - Interlaken

- Hike to a hidden 13th-century castle ruin few tourists ever discover - Watch the sun set behind the Niesen pyramid from a private lakeside spot - Share an authentic Swiss cheese fondue prepared outdoors, picnic-style - Taste local Spiez white wine with a Bernese cheese and charcuterie board - Small group of max 8, with a guide who actually lives in Interlaken

Most travelers in Interlaken head south for the mountains or north for the cogwheel trains. Almost no one walks west of the Aare, into the quiet forested peninsula behind the Neuhaus golf course. That is exactly where this evening takes you. We meet at Interlaken West station in the late afternoon, when the light is starting to turn gold. A short walk, just fifteen minutes through riverside pines, brings you to one of the Bernese Oberland's best-kept secrets: the Burg Weissenau, a medieval castle built by the Lords of Unspunnen in the late 1200s and destroyed in 1300 by the people of Unterseen during a local revolt. The forest has been reclaiming the stones ever since. The whole peninsula has been a protected bird reserve since 1944, which is why almost no tourists ever come here. We pause at the ruins, share the story, then walk ten more minutes to a hidden western-facing spot directly on the shore of Lake Thun. The view opens. Across the water, the Niesen pyramid rises alone, 2,362 meters. The entire Niederhorn ridge sits to the south. This is where we set the picnic. A blanket on the grass. A wooden cutting board. The fondue caquelons heat slowly while we open the local Spiez white wine and lay out the board: alpine Gruyère, 18-month Emmental, dried meat from the canton, fresh bread from a Bönigen bakery, walnuts, grapes. The fondue arrives just as the sun touches the water. We dip bread into hot melted cheese, swap stories, and watch the Niederhorn ridge turn ten minutes of deep gold that nobody who has seen it forgets. When the light fades, we pack up, light the headlamps, and walk back through the forest under stars. You are back at Interlaken West around 20:00. This evening was built for couples on a slow night out, friends looking for something different from the usual Interlaken adventure menu, solo travelers who want to meet others, and families with teenagers. If you would rather walk gently to a hidden corner than ride a cable car to a crowded summit, this is for you. What makes this different: we are the only operator in Interlaken offering this exact combination. A medieval ruin, a protected nature reserve, a private lakeside picnic, and a real Swiss fondue, all in one small-group evening. No tourist crowd. No restaurant setting. Just the lake, the cheese, and the sunset. Can't find your preferred date? Message us directly. We often open extra evenings on request for couples, small groups, and private bookings.

- Standard price : 129 CHF per person - Group price (6+ people) : 119 CHF per person - Private tour : available on request

- Scenic sunset walk near Lake Thun - Traditional Swiss Fondue Backpack experience - Authentic alpine cheese fondue - Local Swiss white wine - Lakeside fondue picnic during golden hour - Hidden forests, riverside trails & local spots - Small group experience - Guided by a local guide

- Comfortable walking shoes - Weather-appropriate clothing - Light jacket for the evening - Camera or phone for photos - A good appetite - A big smile

Suitable for most fitness levels : - Participants should be comfortable walking for around 1 hour on easy trails. Not suitable for: - Guests with serious mobility issues - People with severe heart conditions - Children are welcome if comfortable walking. - Dogs are unfortunately not allowed on this tour.

- Season: May – October (depending on conditions) - Duration: 3 hours - Start time: 7 PM

- Perfect for couples, friends & sunset lovers - One of the most peaceful evening spots near Interlaken - Great photo opportunities during golden hour - Ask your guide about local life and hidden places in the region - Bring an extra layer — evenings by the lake can get cool even in summer - Ideal to combine with another one of our activities for a full Swiss day

Pierre had walked past the Neuhaus golf course dozens of times before he actually stopped to go further. The forested peninsula behind it is the kind of place locals know about and never mention. There are no signs pointing to the Burg Weissenau ruins. The bird reserve status keeps the area protected and quiet. Most of the people who end up there are either regulars with dogs or people who took a wrong turn and found themselves somewhere unexpectedly beautiful. Pierre took that wrong turn one evening in late summer, at the kind of hour when the light over Lake Thun does things that are hard to describe. He stood at the western edge of the peninsula, looking at the Niesen, and thought: this is the best spot in the whole Interlaken area, and nobody is here. The fondue came later. The idea was simple, the setting deserved more than a walk. It deserved the kind of slow, shared moment that Swiss evenings are made for. A blanket, a caquelon, a bottle of local wine, and enough time to actually watch the light change. The first version was tested with friends in the summer of 2023. The headlamps on the way back, the cheese still warm, the ruins barely visible in the dark, that was when it became clear this wasn't just a walk. It was the kind of evening people remember.

*How much walking is involved? Around 1 hour of easy, flat walking total, spread across the evening. The forest path is well-maintained and suitable for most fitness levels. Comfortable sneakers are fine. No hiking experience needed. *What fondue is included? A traditional Swiss cheese fondue made with alpine Gruyère and aged Emmental, served with fresh bread from a local bakery. Alongside: a Bernese charcuterie and cheese board, walnuts, grapes, and a glass of local Spiez white wine. *Is this suitable for vegetarians? Yes. The fondue is naturally vegetarian. Let us know at booking if you have dietary requirements and we'll adjust the board accordingly. *What if I don't eat cheese? The fondue is the centerpiece of the picnic, this experience is best suited for guests who enjoy it. If one person in your group doesn't eat cheese, they can still enjoy the walk, the wine, and the charcuterie board. Message us if you have specific concerns. *Is it suitable for children? Yes, children are welcome if comfortable walking for around an hour in the evening. Younger children on request, we can adjust the picnic accordingly. The late finish (around 20:00) may not suit very young kids. *Is a private tour available? Yes. Contact us directly for private evening bookings, ideal for couples, birthdays, or special occasions. We adapt the experience and can arrange extras on request. *What if it rains? Light rain doesn't cancel the tour, the forest offers natural cover during the walk. We cancel in case of heavy rain, thunderstorms, or strong wind, and offer a full refund or rebooking. *Is the Burg Weissenau accessible to the public? The exterior ruins are freely accessible as part of the protected nature reserve. We visit the exterior, there is no indoor structure to enter. It's a wild, atmospheric site in the middle of the forest. *What time does it end? We return to Interlaken West around 20:00, depending on the season and sunset time. In May and September the timing shifts slightly earlier. Your confirmation email will include the exact schedule.

Our tours can be affected by weather conditions, however it is difficult to predict exactly how a trip will be impacted until the day of the activity. Please make sure we have good contact information for you so we can reach out if your trip is changed or cancelled due to poor conditions. If you have not heard from us, it means we are still planning to run your trip as scheduled, or we have not yet made a final decision based on the forecast. If we are not able to run your trip, we will try to accommodate you on another date, another activity, or we will issue you a full refund.

Cancellation requests must be made at least 48 hours before trip time to be eligible for a refund. In case of cancellation by the organizer due to weather or safety reasons, a full refund or rescheduling will be offered. For more details regarding our cancellation policy, please see our full Terms and Conditions.