Μάιρινγκεν

May to October is the best time for the gorges, falls and the open-air museum. Summer is warm. Autumn has clear light and quiet trails. Winter is snowy, and the ski areas on Hasliberg are open. Some gorges and funiculars close in winter.

• Aareschlucht is a narrow limestone gorge with a walkway cut into the rock. It is about 1.4 kilometres long.
• Reichenbachfall is a tall waterfall above the village, reached by a funicular. This is where the writer set the fight of Holmes and Moriarty.
• Sherlock Holmes and Professor James Moriarty is an artwork at the falls.
• Freilichtmuseum Ballenberg is a large open-air museum of historic Swiss houses and farms, a short bus ride from the village.
• Gletscherschlucht Rosenlaui is a gorge cut by a glacier stream, near Rosenlaui.
• Oltschibachfall is a waterfall near the village.
• Brünigpass is a mountain pass on the road to Lucerne.

• Walk through the Aare Gorge.
• Ride the old funicular up to the Reichenbach Falls.
• Visit the Ballenberg open-air museum.
• Take a trip over the Susten Pass.
• Taste meringue with double cream in the village.
• Ski on Hasliberg in winter.

• Interlaken is about 1 hour away by train along the lake.
• Susten Pass is a high mountain pass with views of glaciers. It is open in summer.
• Kandersteg is a mountain village with a lake, about 2 hours away.
• Lucerne is about 1 hour 15 minutes away by train over the Brünig pass.
• Grimsel Pass and Gelmer funicular are also close.

• Susten Pass is a mountain pass road from the valley.
• Interlaken is the nearest larger town.
• Spiez is a rail junction on Lake Thun.

• By air: Zurich is the nearest main airport, about 2.5 hours away.
• By train: Meiringen is on the scenic line between Lucerne and Interlaken. Check times on SBB.
• The station is in the centre of the village.

• The village centre is easy to walk.
• Walk or ride a short bus to the Aare Gorge and the Reichenbach funicular.
• Local buses link the village with Ballenberg and Hasliberg.
• Postal buses go over the Susten and Grimsel passes in summer.

• A car is not needed in the village.
• The Susten, Grimsel and Brünig passes are scenic. The high passes close in winter.
• Parking near the gorges is limited in summer.

The village claims the meringue. Local cafés serve it with thick cream. Try cheese from local alpine farms and hearty mountain dishes such as rösti and cheese fondue.

People speak German with a local dialect. English is widely understood.

• Meiringen is very safe.
• Gorge walkways are wet and slippery. Wear shoes with grip.
• Mountain weather changes fast, so check the forecast.
• Tap water is safe to drink.

Meiringen grew as a village on the route over the Grimsel and Susten passes. A large fire destroyed much of the village in 1879. It was rebuilt in a more modern style.

The Aare Gorge opened to walkers in 1888. Arthur Conan Doyle visited the Reichenbach Falls in 1893 and made them famous in his story.

Quick practical facts for Switzerland at a glance: