Postcard Switzerland: The Bernese Oberland

“You turn your back on a view…and you have a view”, regular Macs traveller Christine says as tears well up in her eyes at the raw beauty of the Bernese Oberland. These are the top words that ring in my mind every time I talk to a new traveller who is interested in the area. Honourable mention goes to “Everywhere is just like a postcard. The views are dramatic, they are over the top, it’s almost unbelievable”. 

I find myself daydreaming about returning to the Bernese Oberland quite a bit recently. A simple Google search of “hiking in Switzerland” will show you the most expansive views in the country, and the majority of those are from the Bernese Oberland.  

My daydreams often transport me back to traditional Swiss villages nestled away in valleys. I remember waking up to sunlight warming the wood that frames the balcony outside my hotel room, stepping out and taking a deep breath of clean mountain air and the smell of fresh-baked bread wafting from the kitchen below.  

My daily morning struggle would be deciding between the Gruyere and Emmental cheeses provided at breakfast, and I always give in to the best and only option: both. Sweet apricot jam, crusty sourdough, and my chosen cheeses are enjoyed best as the quiet hush of the Bernese Oberland villages starts to stir. I remember the owner of the family-run chalet telling me the origin stories of every food provided: the jam from the Valais region where the apricots are particularly sweet due to the sun exposure, the Gruyere, aged for a year from the west, the Emmental cheese known for its holes from Bern, and the sourdough from his wife’s two hands of course.  

I envision being on the Macs Adventure Best of the Bernese Oberland trip, and staying at Hotel Schoenegg. It's tucked away in Wengen, a peaceful, car-free village perched high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley. This place is a real gem - one of the oldest buildings in town, actually, but with a gorgeous 2012 renovation that kept all its alpine charm and added a modern touch. 

After a long day on the trails, I can see myself heading straight to the sauna, letting the heat take care of my sore legs and tired feet. And the food? I can almost still taste it - it was that remarkable. The hotel's Restaurant 1903 is not messing around. The chef, Sylvian Stefanazzi Ogi, creates these beautifully refined dishes that pull from both Swiss tradition and Mediterranean flavours. Think: perfectly cooked fish, seasonal vegetables, and delicate sauces. The views from the rooms and the restaurant are straight out to the Jungfrau peak. There's something special about watching the light change on the mountain that I had just hiked around earlier that day. 

Or maybe if I wanted something a bit more elevated (pardon the pun), I’d opt for the Best of the Bernese Oberland In Style trip, and stay at Hotel Eiger. Nestled in Murren, another car-free paradise that can only be reached by train or cable car, the hotel has been passed down from generation to generation since 1893. You can feel the history in the warm hospitality, the cosy timber-and-stone interiors, and even in the little details like the original crackling fireplaces and antique mountain decor. But they've also brought things up to date with modern rooms and a fantastic wellness area, including an indoor pool with mountain views that'll stop you in your tracks. 

For all those movie buffs out there: The Hotel Eiger's bar, Tächi Bar, once hosted the crew of the 1969 film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Years later, George Lazenby—James Bond himself—returned to celebrate the opening of a 007 exhibit in town. So while you enjoy your apres-hike drink and soak up the views, you're also sipping a little slice of cinematic history.

Outside, the morning dew dries, and the wildflowers reach their petals towards the sunshine. In the Bernese Oberland, I envision an entire non-human world living amongst the valley. The stark contrast of the purple and yellow wildflowers is a feast for our human eyes, but the pairing is no accident - the vibrant hues work in tandem to attract the same pollinators. On their daily commute, honey bees buzz by their butterfly neighbors, the soft hum of their wings filling the air as they flit from flower to flower. The valley depends on these pollinators to weave the intricate design of nature and nourish the lush vegetation that rests at the base of the mountains in the Bernese Oberland.  

I picture myself packing up my daypack to venture out among these valleys and hike in the shadows of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. I daydream about wandering away from the soft rhythm of cowbells echoing in the pastures just outside of town, and toward the roar of the impressive waterfalls in the heart of the Bernese Oberland. Following the waymarked trails, each breath is a mix of the sharp, misty air from the waterfalls meeting the distant, delicate, sweet smell of violets. In my memory, I can feel the bright sunshine on my skin, my goosebumps quickly turned into a flush of warmth. Those who say ‘Take a hike’ may be onto something - especially if it’s in the shadows of the Swiss mountains.  

Looking up, these mountains feel like a green screen - you could touch them, and the poster board would fall over. Mother Nature really took her time designing these peaks, carefully chiseling their craggy ridgelines into the landscape. Your eye can follow the distinct pencil line as the snowcapped summits meet the rocky faces, which melt into the pine forests until they hit the valley floor. There are views everywhere you look, it’s almost overwhelming to take it all in. The crystal-clear rivers wind themselves to the base of the mountains. The white, snowy peaks are a stark contrast to the bright blue sky, and the lake mirrors the massif above. The views never get old, though they change every day - you’re consistently in the shadows of the dramatic, towering peaks.  

If I know one thing about myself, it’s that I work up a true appetite after a day out on the trails. I romanticise indulging in traditional meals, cooked by locals themselves. Swiss alpine villages are known for dishes that reflect the rugged beauty of the mountains and the need for sustenance at such high altitudes. These rich and flavorful meals are passed down from generation to generation to nourish active adventurers. I remember enjoying raclette, fondue, and Älplermagronen, prepped by fourth-generation restaurant owners and immediately feeling the love and effort that goes into these meals. 

I dream of heading back to my hotel for the evening - a wooden chalet with a sloped roof, weathered timber façades, and bright colorful flower boxes. Everything in these hotels has a purpose - from hand-carved furniture to wool throws and vintage alpine décor, reflecting an authentic mountain experience.  

As I peacefully rest after an adventure-filled day, I can see the moonlight hit the top of the peaks outside my room, and I look forward to waking up and doing it all again the next morning. It is the perfect way to end my day in the Bernese Oberland and to end my memory daydream at my desk.