Amazing routes
You can follow the routes of many classic bike races, such as the Tour de France, Tour de Suisse and Tour de Romandie, and even take part in one of the region’s famously gruelling events, such as the Alpenbrevet or Eiger Challenge.
Great for families
From e-bikes to trottibikes - the Bern region has plenty of two-wheeled fun for families. Children 12 years and over can enjoy the thrill of the descent on a downhill scooter-bike ride: hire a Trottibike (a mix of scooter and bicycle) and enjoy the wind in your face as your scoot down quiet country roads. For a relaxed adventure, try an e-bike ride from Langnau to Burgdorf, on the Emmental section of the Heart Route, you can enjoy gently undultating scenery. Little mountainbikers can get their thrills, too, on the pumptrack in Zweisimmen.
Peerless scenery
Bern has some of the most dramatic scenery in the Swiss Alps, and it’s worth making time for a few side trips. Ride the railway up to Europe’s highest train station Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe, and take the cable car up to the summit of the Schilthorn - Piz Gloria, above picturesque Mürren, where you’ll find a museum devoted to the world of James Bond. From Interlaken you can enjoy boat trips on the lakes, and more adventurous sports, such as paragliding. The Gstaad Saanenland area, too, combines epic scenery with outdoor adventure and endless fun.
Flavours to savour
Eating and drinking in Switzerland is a journey through four cultures, and regional specialities abound in Bern, from the cheese with the holes – Emmental – to irresistible giant meringues (Meiringen in the Haslital). Many restaurants offer authentic experiences in original settings: hearty specialities that have their roots here are served up in a farmhouse, a village inn or an historic auberge. Fondue and rösti are firm favourites, but if you prefer international flavours, you’ll find one of the best curries in the Swiss Alps at 3,454m, at the restaurant at Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe!
Capital culture
Bern, Swiss capital and the city that gives the region its name, offers breathtaking views over the Bernese Alps. But its greatest appeal is its historic heart. Virtually no other city has preserved the features of its past in the sympathetic way that Bern has. The architectural treasures of the old town, a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site, never cease to captivate. The lively alleyways and arcades with their delightful cafés create a unique atmosphere and typify Bern’s cosmopolitan appeal.
