Interlaken and a trip to Harder Kulm
The town of Interlaken is easily accessible from Camping Manor Farm with several transit options available to visitors of the campsite. For cyclists there is a very easy and mostly flat cycle route into the town of approximately 3 miles. There are a couple of variations to the route, a scenic tour through the forest and alongside the river, or the more direct route along the main road.
For those without bikes there is a very efficient and regular bus service that departs from outside of the campsite which will have you into Interlaken West (or alternate destinations if you choose) in no time at all. Bus timetables are readily available in the campsite information room, which in my view betters many a tourist office!
There is also the boat option, which is provided free to guests of Camping Manor Farm, that departs from the boat launch area of Hotel Neuhaus just a short walk from the campsite. This is a return service (if you wish to utilise it) that takes you directly into Interlaken West.
 |
| Plenty of Boat options to tour Lake Thun and beyond |
Interlaken (between lakes) is a unique town that enjoys an enviable position at the heart of the Jungfrau mountain region. Not only does it sit between two lakes, Lake Thun to the west and Lake Brienz to the east but it also provides a handy staging post for those wishing to visit further afield the magnificent iconic mountain range that includes the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
Arrival from Lake Thun by boat sets you down in the moorings of Interlaken West directly alongside the bus and train stations which provide further transport options for visiting the locale. However, public transport aside, it is only a short walk (approximately 1 mile) along the principle shopping street Höheweg to the eastern side of town and in particular to the train station of Interlaken Ost where most of the excursions for the region depart.
A walk along Höheweg provides an insightful view of tourist shopping in Interlaken and in particular the clientele it is clearly seeking to attract. Several high-end jewellers retailing watches in excess of twenty-thousand Swiss Francs is a clear indication that the numerous 'middle-eastern' visitors milling about town are the ones in their sights.....and more importantly those with cash burning a hole in their burkas!
The town of Interlaken provides all the usual facilities and tourist shopping outlets one would expect, and those which can happily occupy you for a day (or two perhaps); however, it is the numerous tours and attractions of the region that depart from the town that really puts this place on the map.
One such excursion is to Harder Kulm, Interlaken's very own mountain, which takes just eight minutes by funicular train to reach the top. The station for Harder Kulm is just a short walk over the river from Interlaken Ost and tickets can be purchased directly at the station with several options available combing a train ticket with breakfast or luncheon at the mountain top restaurant.
 |
| The Harder Kulm Funicular Train |
Once you've purchased your ticket you are filtered through onto the train which has a significantly greater passenger capacity than the meagre number of seats! Therefore, be prepared to be squashed in like sardines.......and unless your lucky enough to get one of the few seats available you'll be standing very, very closely to your neighbour.
Thankfully, after the short journey time, you are finally released into the fresh mountain air at 1,322 metres above sea-level and are immediately met with some breathtaking views.
 |
| Interlaken and a view across to the Jungfrau Mountains from Harder Klum |
There are several hiking options available to you once at the top....notably the one down, but also several that extend across the mountain range taking anything from 50 minutes to 5+ hours!
Once you arrive at the summit of Harder Kulm there is a private restaurant that looks like a small castle and the two lakes bridge which is a relatively new viewing platform with a glass surface. From here you get some breathtaking views over Interlaken, the lakes Thun and Brienz and the surrounding area.
 |
| The Harder Kulm Restaurant overlooking Interlaken |
 |
| Lake Thun, with Camping Manor Farm nestled to the right of the lake edge |
 |
| A view of Lake Brienz to the east of Interlaken |
 |
| A view down to Unterseen and the waterway network feeding in from Lake Thun |
Paragliding is a popular visitor attraction in Interlaken and many people appear to take the opportunity of throwing themselves off from the heights of Harder Kulm to glide back down into the centre of Interlaken. The views on a clear day must be spectacular!
 |
| Paraglider tours take off from the rear of Harder Kulm |
 |
| They pass so close to the restaurant |
 |
| And then disappear off into the distance with breathtaking views |
 |
| A view of the imposing Jungfrau Mountain Range |
 |
| Two of us out on the edge....and we both came back! |
