- Route: 38 Via Berna Etappe 15 Schynige Platte – Grindelwald, First
- Region: Unterseen (Canton Bern)
- Theme: Castle Hikes
- Distance: 17 km
- Duration: 5.6 h
- Ascent: 1100 m
- Difficulty (SAC scale): T1
- Terrain: Wanderland-Route 38 · regionales Netz · SAC T1
- Attractions along the route: Daube, First Cliff Walk by Tissot
- Legend: The Ghost Ship on Lake Brienz and the Destruction of Iseltwald
Embark on an unforgettable alpine journey on the 38 Via Berna Etappe 15 Schynige Platte – Grindelwald, First, featuring a fascinating castles and ruins exploration in Unterseen, the legendary phantom ship tale, and spanning 17 km with a SAC T1 difficulty over 5.6 hours in Canton of Bern.
Discovering the Alpine Splendor
Your journey begins at the historic Schynige Platte, a place easily accessible via a nostalgic cogwheel railway that sets the mood for a breathtaking mountain adventure. As you lace up your boots, the panorama of the Bernese Oberland opens up before you, promising a day of visual splendor and alpine fresh air. The trail unfolds steadily, guiding you through lush meadows and rugged terrain categorized comfortably as SAC T1, making it an inviting route for steady walkers and nature enthusiasts alike. Over the course of 5.6 hours, you will cover a distance of 17 kilometers, navigating the scenic landscapes that connect high-altitude vistas with charming valley approaches.
While this trek is generally manageable due to its T1 rating, the sheer distance of 17 kilometers means it is best suited for older children or teenagers with strong stamina, rather than toddlers. Along the way, you will encounter remarkable sights that elevate the hiking experience. Make sure to pause at the Daube touristenattraktion, where the viewing point offers a magnificent perspective of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Later, as you approach the final stretch of your adventure, the thrilling First Cliff Walk by Tissot awaits you as a true architectural and visual touristenattraktion, dangling dramatically over the abyss and offering heart-pounding views of the dramatic cliffside before you reach Grindelwald, First.
The Ghost Ship on Lake Brienz and the Destruction of Iseltwald
As you traverse the region near Unterseen, the mountain air seems to whisper ancient secrets tied to the dark waters below. The local folklore tells the haunting tale of The Ghost Ship on Lake Brienz and the Destruction of Iseltwald, a legend deeply etched into the collective memory of the Bernese Oberland. According to the lore, a spectral vessel manned by restless souls occasionally haunts the misty expanse of the lake, appearing during twilight hours as an omen of reckoning. Long ago, the inhabitants of Iseltwald faced the wrath of this supernatural phenomenon when pride and wrongdoing invited a catastrophic storm, swallowed by the phantom waves in a single night of fury. Today, as you look out over the shimmering waters and the surrounding medieval remnants, you can almost hear the ghostly echoes of the past carried gently on the Alpine breeze.
Find all the details on this route, including the map, on the route page for 38 Via Berna Etappe 15 Schynige Platte – Grindelwald, First.
You can read the full legend “The Ghost Ship on Lake Brienz and the Destruction of Iseltwald” here: The Ghost Ship on Lake Brienz and the Destruction of Iseltwald.
Experience this hike with a GPS audio guide and the matching legend right in the app: Legends & Stories, Navigation & Offline Maps.
Photo: Quirin Schmid / Pexels
Frequently Asked Questions
Wie lange dauert die Tour?
Die Tour dauert ungefähr 5.6 Stunden und entspricht dem Schwierigkeitsgrad SAC T1 auf einer Distanz von 17 km.
Ist die Tour kindergerecht?
NEIN – Aufgrund der langen Distanz von 17 Kilometern ist diese Wanderung eher für ausdauernde Jugendliche und Erwachsene geeignet.
Wie komme ich zum Startpunkt?
Du erreichst den Startpunkt an der Schynige Platte bequem mit der historischen Zahnradbahn ab Wilderswil.
Welche Sage hört man auf der Strecke?
Auf der Strecke begegnet dir die fesselnde Sage von The Ghost Ship on Lake Brienz and the Destruction of Iseltwald.
