The bucket list
Paragliding, skydiving, the Canyon Swing, canyoning, rafting, the lakes and the winter thrills. What each one is really like, who it suits, and what to book when it clouds over.
Interlaken calls itself the adventure capital of Europe, and from the Lauterbrunnen valley it is twenty minutes away by train. This is everything worth doing, from someone who lives here: what each one is really like, who it is not for, how to get there from the valley, and what to book when the cloud comes in.
All of it in one place. Filter by season, by what still works under cloud, or by what suits children. Each card links to our full guide, and to booking where we have a link.
Tandem paragliding, MürrenDown between the walls of this valley, landing at Stechelberg.Summer & winterOur guide →Book now →
Skydive from a planeThe classic tandem jump over Interlaken and the lakes.Mainly summerOur guide →Book now →
Helicopter skydive over this valleyJump from a hovering helicopter above the Lauterbrunnen valley.Mainly summerOur guide →
Helicopter flight to the JungfraujochA scenic flight over the glaciers, with a glacier landing on some flights.Weather permittingOur guide →
The Canyon SwingStep off over a gorge, free-fall, then swing through the canyon.SummerOur guide →Book now →
Bungee from a cable carA 134 m bungee jump from the Stockhorn cable car above Lake Thun.SummerOur guide →Book now →
Canyoning, SaxetenThe beginner canyon near Interlaken: slides, jumps and abseils, about 90 minutes in the water.SummerOur guide →Book now →
Canyoning, Chli SchliereA full-day, bigger canyon for people who have done one before.SummerOur guide →Book now →
Rafting on the LütschineThe glacier river that runs out of this valley. Cold, fast and continuous.SummerOur guide →Book now →
Jetboat on Lake BrienzFast and splashy, across to the Giessbach Falls. Good for mixed groups.Year-roundOur guide →Book now →
Kayaking on Lake BrienzA guided paddle on the turquoise lake. There is a winter version too.Year-roundOur guide →Book now →
Guided bike tourAn easy ride around the Interlaken valley, with a winter version along the Aare.Year-roundBook now →
Glacier Canyon walk, GrindelwaldWalkways bolted into a glacier gorge. Cheap, short and a good rainy-day option.SummerBook now →
Night sledgingA guided evening sledge run by torchlight, with transport from Interlaken.WinterOur guide →Book now →
Beginner ski packageAn all-inclusive afternoon for first-timers, with kit and transport from Interlaken.WinterOur guide →Book now →
Ice climbing course, KanderstegA multi-day frozen-waterfall course for people who want a real skill.WinterOur guide →| How long | Starts from | Needs clear weather? | Nerve rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paragliding | 1 to 2 hours | Interlaken or Mürren | Yes | Low |
| Hang gliding | About 2 hours | Interlaken (Beatenberg) | Yes | Medium |
| Skydiving | Half a day | Interlaken | Yes, very | High |
| Canyon Swing | About 2.5 hours | Interlaken | No | High |
| Stockhorn bungee | About 4.5 hours with transfers | Interlaken | Mostly | Very high |
| Canyoning | 3 hours to a full day | Interlaken | No (but not after heavy rain) | Medium |
| Rafting | 2.5 to 4.5 hours | Interlaken | No | Low to medium |
| Jetboat, kayak, SUP | 1 to 3 hours | Lake Brienz | No | Low |
Planning the days around it? Ready-made itineraries and the pass calculator will sort the trains.
Activity photos: © Outdoor Switzerland AG, used with their permission for tourism publishing; paragliding photo: Airtime Paragliding; kayak photo: Hightide Kayak School. Photos show the activities described, not an endorsement of this guide.
Common questions
Tandem paragliding from Interlaken or Mürren, hang gliding, skydiving from a plane or a helicopter, helicopter flights to the Jungfraujoch, the Canyon Swing, the Stockhorn bungee, canyoning, rafting on the Lütschine and the Simme, jetboat, kayak and stand-up paddle on Lake Brienz, and in winter sledging, snowshoeing and ice climbing. Most start in Interlaken, about 20 minutes away by train.
Tandem paragliding. It needs no experience, is calm rather than frightening for almost everyone, and gives you the best view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau of anything on the list.
Canyoning, rafting, the jetboat, kayaking, the ropes park and the Glacier Canyon in Grindelwald all work under cloud because none of them depends on a view. Canyoning is cancelled after heavy rain, when water levels rise.
Yes. Alongside the plane jumps over Interlaken, there is a tandem helicopter skydive above the Lauterbrunnen valley itself.
Winter paragliding, the winter jetboat and kayak on Lake Brienz, guided night sledging, snowshoeing, beginner ski packages from Interlaken, and ice climbing courses in Kandersteg.
The Thrill Walk at Birg and the Cliff Walk at First are included with the lift ticket, and the Mürren via ferrata is free to walk, though you need proper gear, which you can hire in Mürren.
On the valley floor, twenty minutes from Interlaken by train and a short walk from Lauterbrunnen station.
Nightly ranges for our own three places, before cleaning. What you actually pay moves with the dates, the length of stay and how far ahead you book, so treat these as the shape of it rather than a quote. Dollar figures are converted at 1 USD = 0.835 CHF, set 15 October 2026.
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What’s open, what’s shut, what the weather and the trains are up to, and which weeks are quiet. One email, first of the month, written here.
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