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Arrival and first swim in the lake
Pure driving time is around 2.5 to 3 hours plus breaks, easily manageable within the day's schedule.
It's best to buy the vignette online before the border, which saves waiting time.
This is where your trip begins. From Freiburg, you'll head via Basel into Switzerland towards the Bernese Oberland.
For the Swiss motorways you'll need the annual vignette. It currently costs around 40 francs and is valid until the end of January the following year. If you're driving a lot of mountain pass roads you can partly avoid it, but for the journey there it's convenient.
The charming old town with its raised pavements and Schloss Thun sits at the point where the Thunersee flows out. A good first stop to stretch your legs and shop. Parking is at ground level by the lake, as car parks are usually too low for the campervan.
Located directly on the northern shore of the Thunersee with its own lake access for swimming. A simple, family-run site with good value for money by Swiss standards. The view across the lake to the mountains is especially lovely in the evening.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Water and shoreline
A relaxed day with no long drive, plenty of time for the water.
The St. Beatus Caves are a good rainy-day plan.
A spectacular stalactite cave high above the Thunersee with an underground watercourse and waterfall. The climb up from the car park already offers wonderful views. It's cool inside, so a jacket is worthwhile.
A charming stretch of shoreline on the Thunersee with swimming bays and mountain views. Ideal for a balanced half-day walk with a swimming break. The paths are well signposted and mostly flat.
Change of scene and turquoise water
A short stage, with plenty of time for your first dip in the Lake Brienz.
Iseltwald can get very busy in summer, so it's worth arriving early.
The large meadow in the middle of Interlaken with a direct view of the Jungfrau is a good point of reference. This is where the mountain railway valley stations and hiking routes converge. You'll find ground-level parking on the edge of town, as car parks are too low for the campervan.
A tiny fishing village on the turquoise-blue Lake Brienz with a small peninsula and jetty. The water here has an almost Caribbean colour and invites you to swim. Parking in the village costs money, so watch out for the designated areas.
A well-kept campsite right on the Lake Brienz with its own beach and swimming access. From here you have the turquoise water right in front of you and the Brienz Rothorn Bahn nearby. A popular but well-organised site.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Mountain railway with a view
The mountain railway is the highlight, Ballenberg is optional.
Mountain railways are expensive, so it's better to choose a few really good ones rather than many.
Switzerland's oldest steam rack railway chugs up from Brienz to 2244 metres. At the top a panoramic view opens up over the Lake Brienz and the Alpine chain. One of the most worthwhile mountain railways in the region, especially on clear days.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
An expansive open-air museum with historic farmhouses from all over Switzerland, animals and traditional crafts. You'll do a lot of walking through woods and meadows, ideal to combine with a mountain railway day. Only visit if you've still got the energy after the Rothorn.
High valley beneath the Eiger and Wetterhorn
Check the weather in the morning, the mountain railway is only worthwhile with good visibility.
The Bachalpsee is a natural highlight, bring sturdy shoes.
The mountain village lies impressively beneath the Eiger North Face and is the starting point for many hikes. Several mountain railways lead from here into the hiking area. There's ground-level parking at the valley stations, so watch out for the campervan bays.
The gondola takes you up to First, from where one of the most beautiful hikes in the Bernese Oberland leads to the Bachalpsee. The mountain lake reflects the snow-capped peaks, a well-balanced hike of around two hours there and back. A very worthwhile mountain railway.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
A small, peacefully located site with a direct view of the Eiger North Face and the glacier. Family-run and a good starting point for hiking. The mountain backdrop from the pitch is unique.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Valleys and water
Both waterfalls are close together, making for a relaxed day.
If you fancy it, take the train to Wengen in the afternoon for the view, though that's optional.
The valley of the 72 waterfalls is one of the most impressive in the Alps. The Staubbach Falls plunge almost 300 metres freely down the rock face, right behind the village. A short path leads almost right up under the falls.
Ten glacial waterfalls thunder here inside the mountain, made accessible via tunnels and walkways. A unique natural spectacle with a tremendous volume of water. It gets wet and loud, so weatherproof clothing helps.
A large valley campsite with a tremendous view of the Staubbach Falls and the rock faces. Good facilities and central for all the hikes in the valley. Waking up to the view of the waterfalls is unforgettable.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Toll-free Alpine passes
Winding pass roads take time, so allow enough for them, though the driving time remains manageable.
The Grimsel and Furka are both toll-free, which saves money compared to tunnels.
The Grimsel Pass connects the Bernese Oberland with Valais and can be driven entirely toll-free. At the top lie dark reservoirs between bare granite rocks, a stark and impressive mountain landscape. Perfect for a photo stop and a short walk by the water.
At the Furka Pass, also toll-free, lies the Rhone Glacier with its walk-in ice grotto. The glacier is the source of the Rhone and impressively shows the retreat of the ice. The pass road is winding but the scenery is magnificent.
A quiet, affordable mountain campsite in the Obergoms below the pass roads. Ideal for a night on the way east, surrounded by mountain meadows. A simple, nature-close site without frills.
Last pass and the way back
A slightly longer driving day with a pass, but it stays under five hours of driving time.
The Aare Gorge is pleasantly cool on hot days.
The Sustenpass is considered one of the most beautiful and best-built Alpine roads, also toll-free. At the top of the pass lies the small Steingletscher, close enough to reach out and touch. An ideal route to head back north from Valais.
The Aare has carved a gorge here up to 200 metres deep into the rock, accessible via walkways and tunnels. A cool, impressive walk beside the thundering water. A lovely final nature stop before the journey home.
A beautifully situated campsite on Lake Lucerne with swimming access and a view of the Rigi. A good stopover on the way back north, with one last chance for a swim in the lake. Clean and well-kept.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Journey home
Return drive of around three hours of pure driving time plus a stop in Lucerne, comfortably within the schedule.
Fill up cheaply once more before the border, as diesel is often more expensive in Germany.
A short detour into the old town of Lucerne with the famous Kapellbruecke and the Wasserturm. A lovely final Swiss stop before the border. Park at ground level on the edge of town, the city centre is easily reached on foot, as car parks are too low for the campervan.
The end of your round trip. You're back in Freiburg, with full cameras and the great mountain lakes in your memory.
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