Route 61: Section 2 (Berner Oberland Cycling Route; Interlaken 568m, Meiringen 598m, via the Grosse Scheidegg peak 1962m)
Stats from SwitzerlandMobility.ch (https://schweizmobil.ch/en/cycling-in-switzerland/route-61/stage-2): 51km long, height difference 1,600m in either direction). Their site has the full profile.
Highlights: Berner Oberland landscape with the majestic Alpine peaks of Eiger, Mönch & Jungfrau, Interlaken, Grindelwald, Meiringen ( with the Reichenbach Gorge, where Sherlock Holmes fell to his death, and the Aare Gorge/Aareschlucht)
July 2023
In this stormy July we found a window of nice weather for a weekend getaway, cycling the foothills of the majestic peaks of the Bernese Oberland.
This is not an easy section, with a continuous huffing and puffing up and over the pass of the Grosse Scheidegg (1,956m), with a 1,600m elevation gain.
We started in Interlaken (also in Routes 9:04 & 8:02 ), a village-resort internationally renowned since the early 1800. Nowadays it continues to be a world famous destination especially with the Asian tourism. The village owes its fame to the impressive natural surroundings, settled between the lakes of Thun and Brienz and at the feet of the three famous peaks: Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
Left Interlaken, the first part of the ascent to Grindelwald goes through a beautiful path, mostly on natural terrain, nestled in a steep and narrow valley with tree covered mountainsides.
But I have to confess that here we cheated a little. As the trail became steeper, and we started feeling fatigued under the early afternoon sun, our spirit brighten up as we crossed the tiny train station of Burglauenen.
And so we took a little break jumping on the train up to the popular mountain town, saving us about 8km and +200m elevation.
Grindelwald, at the foot of the imposing Eiger north face, is surrounded by spectacular green mountains and grey steep peaks and their glaciers. Its railway, going up to the world-renowned Jungfraujoch glacier area «Top of Europe» (3454 m), was built in 1912 and still holding the title of highest European railway station.
Refreshed with our little train ride, from Grindelwald we started the big ascent towards the Grosse Scheidegg (11km and +1,000m elevation gain). Along the way we met a lot of hikers walking the Swiss National Trail #1 (Via Alpina), which coasts the bike route in this area.
The views along this part are just amazing: grey sharp peaks and tongues of glaciers perilously overhanging the mountains’ shoulders.
A little break was due once on the pass. And to cover up with windbreaker and long sleeve shirt, in view of the 15km exhilarating descent that awaited us.
On the descent side, the Route is more shaded by trees and it passes through a couple of Alpine resorts, including the Historic Belle-Epoque Hotel Rosenlaui that is in service since 1771 (though rebuilt in 1862 after a fire).
We arrived in Meiringen (also in Routes 9:04 , 9:05, 8:01 & 8:02 ),right on time for an early dinner (with a nice true Italian pizza at the Hasli Lodge). The village itself is also not much to look at, mostly a rest-stop, probably overtaken by the nearby popular destinations along the lakes of Brienz and Thun. But it is certainly admired by the fans of Sherlock Holmes and merengues. Indeed it is considered to be not only the birthplace of merengue but also the death site of Sherlock Holmes (then resurrected 3 years later).
The area is also full of outdoor activities, one being the highly recommended excursion to the nearby Aareschlucht (Aare Gorge) (https://aareschlucht.ch/en), a 1,400m (one-way) walking tour at the bottom of the Gorge formed over thousands of years by the Aare Glacier. Its overhanging wooded path meanders through the sinuous sculpted walls along the rumbling stream. You can walk it both ways, thus returning to the departing point, or you can take a little train back.
The Aare Gorge is less than 2 km from Meiringen and so I went there in the morning before taking the return train home.
Links to Introduction and other Sections:
bikeswitzerlandblog 
Hello, looks like a fabulous tour. Loved the photos and commentary. You are an inspiration! Thank you.
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Thanks. It was really a great outing
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