Bernese Oberland
The
Bernese Oberland (Bernese highlands) is the higher part of the
canton of Bern,
Switzerland, in the South of the canton: The area around
Lake Thun and
Lake Brienz, and the valleys of the
Bernese Alps (thus, the inhabitable parts from approximately the level of Lake Thun at 558 m).Districts considered part of the Oberland are:
*
Thun (district)*
Interlaken (district)*
Oberhasli (district)*
Frutigen (district)*
Obersimmental (district)*
Niedersimmental (district)*
Saanen (district)The
Swiss German dialects spoken in the Bernese Oberland are
Highest Alemannic German, contrasting with the
High Alemannic Bernese German spoken in
Berne and the northern parts of the canton.
See also:
The Friend of God from the Oberland, a mystical figure associated to that region.
The Berner Oberland offers impressive
ski touring possibilities, as well. A train from Kleine Scheidegg takes one through the North Face of the
Eiger to the
Jungfraujoch. Here, one may ski down to the glacial intersection of the
Konkordiaplatz on the
Aletsch--the longest glacier in Europe.
The vertical relief is remarkable & there are many 4000-m peaks in the area, including the famous
Jungfrau,
Monch &
Eiger as well as lesser known giants like the Finsteraarhorn & the
Aletschhorn.
