After biding farewell to my parents, we made our way to Interlaken. Michael has been to Interlaken on three other occasions, but always speaks so highly of it that I knew we had to make a stop there for some adventuring.

Canyoning with Outdoor Interlaken — Full video below, but the highlights can be found at 1:15, 3:10, 4:00, 6:50, and 7:20. That last one still makes my stomach flip!!

This is the same company Michael has gone canyoning with every time he’s been here. And after the trip, I can see why he keeps coming back. This is my third time canyoning — once in Costa Rica, which was more repelling down waterfalls and jumping/sliding into small pools, once in Pucon Chile, which was mostly jumping, and now in Switzerland. We did the Chli Canyon, the most difficult and challenging of the canyoning options. If you’ve been canyoning before, or like jumping off high objects, or are just adventurous and want to give it a go, DO IT!! 

We had a full group of 13 people and two guides (one French, one Swiss). After getting geared up (wetsuit, booties, life jacket, and helmet), we walked 15 minutes into the canyon and then began what would be one of our most epic adventure days.

The route starts off with a small slide and two giant jumps into small COLD pools. Then a “jump slide” that is as terrifying as it sounds, but it works! Rappelling, a giant jump in-between rocks, or you can slide (Michael jumped, I slid). Two big slides as the grand finale — One is actually too big so they rappel you down half way, blow a whistle and you let go of the rope then shoot down into a small pool. And the last slide you have to brace yourself with your arm out to the side so you don’t roll over, then shoot it up so you don’t break your elbow. WHAT?! Seriously crazy adventure, freezing water, but SO SO amazing! Hands down the best canyoning trip EVER!

Bucket List:

• Canyoning in Interlaken
• Buy a Swiss Army knife

Next Time:

• Stay at Balmers – Great, big, fun hostel
• Paragliding

Pro:

• Neat Main Street in Interlaken West.
• Bierhaus is a great bar with delicious local craft beer called Four C’s IPA. We went back every day for one (or three).

Tip:

• Interlaken is much more spread out than Zermatt so be prepared to walk.

Fun Fact:

• Met up with Alan, a guy we originally met in Bolivia on the Salt Flats tour. He took us to Bierhaus and we all exchanged travel stories. Love making international friends!
• Paragliders everywhere that land in the grass field in the middle of town.
• Trains in Switzerland and Austria are very nice, especially first class.

Transportation:

• Train from Zermatt to Interlaken (2h20m, $147 for two people). The train from Visk to Interlaken is very nice, so enjoy the ride.