Excursions to enchanting alpine lakes, the possibility of practicing all kinds of sports, boat trips and visits to historic centers that are UNESCO heritage sites. All this just a few hours from Milan and Turin.
The Green Train of the Alps opens the doors to an extraordinary territory, where the mountains ofBernese Oberland they are reflected in crystalline lakes and ancient towns.
Starting from Domodossola, easily reachable from the Lombard capital, you can access a railway itinerary that crosses some of the most spectacular landscapes in Switzerland, with connections every two hours and the possibility of using a BLS day pass which allows you to get on and off the train freelyexploring locations along the route with maximum flexibility.
Kandersteg and Lake Oeschinen
The trip to the Bernese Oberland ideally begins in Kanderstega small jewel set at 1,170 meters above sea level among the imposing peaks of Balmhorn and of Blüemlisalp. This quiet Alpine village, easily accessible thanks to the Green Train of the Alpsrepresents the perfect starting point for those who want to immerse themselves in the most authentic nature.
With over 550 kilometers of hiking trails, Kandersteg offers itineraries for all levels, from a family walk to a mountaineering challenge.
But it’s the Oeschinen lake to constitute the main attraction of this area. Recognized as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletschthis body of water of an almost unreal intense blue is located at 1,578 meters above sea level, surrounded by a natural amphitheater of mountains that reach three thousand metres.
Kandersteg is also the heart of one of the largest cross-country skiing areas in Switzerland, with 52 kilometers of perfectly prepared slopes crossing the valley, guaranteed by the altitude and conformation of the territory.
Precisely during the winter the town hosts the event of the Belle Époque. A week of historical re-enactments and cultural events that attracts people from all over Switzerland, with the aim of bringing back to life the happy historical period that goes from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century. Dances, hockey games in period uniforms, concerts, fairs and much more. With the guarantee of being transported in time to the end of the nineteenth century.
Thun and its lake
Continuing north along the Lötschberg ramp, the Green Train of the Alps reaches Spiezone of the most photographed locations in Switzerland. Here the alpine landscape softens, opening up the view of the Lake Thunwhose blue waters extend for over seventeen kilometers between mountains and rolling hills planted with vineyards. The Spiez castlewith its unmistakable tower and Romanesque church, dominates a promontory overlooking the lake, creating a setting that seems to have come out of a fairy tale.
The city of Thunlocated at the northern end of the lake, is worth a stop. Its historic center is spread over several levelswith the medieval castle that stands on the hill and the characteristic covered streets that cross the old city. Stroll among the shops and craft workshops of Obere Hauptgasse means discovering a unique architecture, where the sidewalks are at the level of the roofs of the buildings belowcreating a sort of double overlapping city.
But the most fascinating experience that Thun can offer is undoubtedly the cruise on the lake. The Trenino Verde delle Alpi day pass includes navigation between Thun, Spiez and Interlaken Westallowing you to experience the Alpine landscape from a completely different perspective.
The historic boats of the BLS fleet, some of which date back to the beginning of the twentieth century, glide placidly on the transparent waters, offering breathtaking views of the Bernese Alps from their large panoramic terraces.
On board it is possible to have lunch in the boat restaurantswhile the landscape flows gently beyond the windows. Thematic cruises, organized throughout the year, enrich the experience with particular gastronomic proposals, live concerts and cultural events.
Among the most suggestive excursions accessible from the lake stand out the caves of San Beatoreachable with a short navigation to the southern shore. This complex of natural caves, according to legend the home of a dragon then chased away by the Irish monk Beatus in the 6th century, extends for over a kilometer inside the mountain.
The equipped route leads through rooms adorned with spectacular stalactites and stalagmites, underground waterfalls and hidden lakesoffering a fascinating adventure even for families with children.
Bern, the Alpine capital, a UNESCO heritage site
The journey of Green Train of the Alps culminates in Bernthe federal capital of Switzerland, whose medieval historic center was recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1983. Arriving by train in the old city means immediately immersing yourself in history, with its people characteristic porticoes which extend for six kilometers (it is the second largest city in the world after Bologna).
There Zytgloggethe astronomical clock tower dating back to the 13th centuryrepresents one of the most recognizable symbols of the city. A few minutes before each hour, tourists and citizens gather for admire the spectacle of mechanical figures coming to life: the bear beating the drum, the rooster crowing, the jester ringing the bells and the procession of the seven gods of the week.
This masterpiece of medieval engineering, perfected in 1530, continues to mark the city’s time with Swiss precision.
It is located a few steps from the tower the house where Albert Einstein lived from 1903 to 1905now transformed into a museum. It was precisely in this apartment on the second floor of Kramgasse 49 that the young physicist developed his theory Special theory of relativity.
There Bern Cathedralwith its Gothic spire rising one hundred meters high, dominates the city skyline. Its construction, which began in 1421, lasted for centuries, but the result is one of the masterpieces of late Gothic architecture in Switzerland.
The interior houses precious stained glass windows and the main portal is decorated with an impressive sculpted Last Judgment, made up of 217 figures. Climbing the 344 steps up to the panoramic terrace of the tower offers a spectacular view of the old city, the Aare river that surrounds it in a horseshoe shape and, on clear days, the snow-capped peaks of the Bernese Oberland on the horizon, from which you can admire the majestic peaks of the Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger.
Slow travel with BLS
The BLS Trenino Verde day passvalid for two days and available at 72 Swiss francsallows you to organize a complete experience, alternating the discovery of the mountains of the Bernese Oberland on the first day, with navigation on the lake and a visit to Bern on the second, or vice versa.
The flexibility of freely getting on and off the train several times a day, with the certainty of truly Swiss precision in timetables, combined with the possibility of taking a BLS train at will belonging to the Domodossola-Bern route, allows you to build a personalized itineraryfollowing your own interests and rhythms.
From Milan to this world of alpine lakes, UNESCO heritage mountains and historic cities takes just a few hours. The Trenino Verde delle Alpi transforms the journey itself into an experience, with its large panoramic windows framing ever-changing landscapes.
A territory rich in history, nature and culture, accessible and sustainable, waiting to be discovered calmly, following the slow and authentic rhythm of the train journey.
