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Giessbach Falls

Nature spots ·Giessbach
4.76.3K
#6Nature spots in SwitzerlandMost reviewed in GiessbachTravelers' Choice
  • Visit: 20–30 min
  • Free
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About

Giessbach Falls tumble into Lake Brienz beside the Grandhotel Giessbach in Giessbach, Switzerland.

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Giessbach Falls

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Why go

  • Stand behind a cascade and look through the spray toward the hotel, Lake Brienz and Brienzergrat.
  • A Belle Époque hotel stands among the falls.
  • A roughly four-minute funicular ride passes through forest, crosses bridges and skirts the lower falls.

Don't miss

  • Hotel parkWalk in the grounds around the Grandhotel.Around the Grandhotel Giessbach
  • Les CascadesEat at the restaurant in the hotel park.Hotel park

With kids

  • Allow for stairs on the waterfall loop and slippery wooden walkways after rain.

Tips for your visit

  • A path beside the stream climbs from the falls toward Axalp, about 850 metres higher.
  • Steps and wooden walkways beside the falls can become slippery after rain.

Best time to visit

  • The falls are strongest during spring snowmelt and after heavy rain; spray can reach the paths.

Know before you go

  • The falls are open 24 hours every day.

History

The Iseltwald–Giessbach shore path was created to compensate for construction of the A8 motorway.

  1. 1875The Grandhotel opened to plans by Horace Edouard Davinet.
  2. 1879The funicular began linking the boat landing with the hotel, powered by water ballast.
  3. 1948The funicular switched to electric operation.
  4. 1983After demolition plans in the late 1970s, Franz Weber saved the hotel and secured heritage protection.

How to get there

  • 4 minBoatTake a boat to Giessbach See, then ride the funicular up to the hotel.
  • 15 minBusTake the Postauto from Brienz toward Axalp to the Giessbach turnoff, then walk past the falls to the hotel.
  • CarFrom the Brienz–Giessbach motorway exit, follow signs for Giessbach/Axalp along the narrow, steep, mostly single-lane mountain road.
  • On footFrom Iseltwald, follow the lakeshore path to the lower falls and Giessbach See boat station.
  • CarIn winter, reach the falls by car or on foot from the Postauto stop; the boat and funicular pause.

Accessibility

  • Waterfall loop Includes stairs and wooden steps.

Shorts

Interesting facts3

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  1. 14 cascades

    The falls descend through 14 cascades over about 500 metres into Lake Brienz.

    Giessbachfälle beim Brienzer See – Anreise, Parken, Aktivitäten – BERGPORTAL
  2. 100 metres

    The funicular climbs nearly 100 metres along a 345-metre route.

    Giessbachfälle beim Brienzer See – Anreise, Parken, Aktivitäten – BERGPORTAL

  3. Stiftung Giessbach dem Schweizervolk maintains the 22-hectare park, hiking paths and funicular.

    Giessbachfälle beim Brienzer See – Anreise, Parken, Aktivitäten – BERGPORTAL

Sources: Giessbachbahn - Wikipedia · Giessbachfälle beim Brienzer See – Anreise, Par… · Wir über uns – BERGPORTAL · Impressum – BERGPORTAL · Giessbachbahn - Wikipedia · checked 28 Sep 2026

Where
Giessbach, 3855

Plan from here: Evening walk →

Questions and answers

When are Giessbach Falls open?

The falls are open 24 hours every day.

How long does the Giessbach Falls loop take?

The loop from the hotel takes 20–30 minutes and passes the cascades, including a path behind one waterfall.

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