The five most beautiful mountain lakes

Lake Bachalpsee is one of the most popular photo opportunities in the region, not only because it reflects the imposing Schreckhorn. The wide path, which can be hiked all year round, also makes it an excursion destination in both summer and winter. If there is snow, you should take your sled with you to ride down the longest sledging run in the Alps from the lake down to Bort.

To get to Lake Oberhornsee  you have to struggle a bit. In approximately four hours, you hike from Stechelberg to the little lake a good 2,000 metres above sea level – and return to nature. The path leads through a nature reserve with rare plants, and when you visit the Obersteinberg mountain guesthouse, you turn away from modern civilisation. The team serves specialities by candlelight, made from local ingredients and transported by mules.

A beautiful panorama hike leads from First to Grossen Scheidegg in gentle ups and downs. The Chlosterseeli (Antseeuwen) is only a 12 minute walk from there. Visiting the tiny mountain lake is also worthwhile (from spring to autumn) because of the surroundings: Antseeuwen has been awarded a cultural landscape prize for its biodiversity.

It is said that the Sulzseewli  in the Lauterbrunnen valley is a place of strength. Even those who do not believe in it may succumb to the magic of the mountain lake. To get there, take the funicular from Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp. That's where a varied route begins with a panoramic view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Children can come as well: The destination is reached after two and a half hours. If you still have strength, then you can continue to the Lobhornhütte. It is serviced in the summer months.

The popular hiking trail from the Schynige Platte to the Faulhorn and First offers a magnificent view of the Sägistalsee. Not many climb down to the lake, thereby missing out on a wonderfully quiet place. The still water is nearly ten metres deep and conceals an underground stream. With a little patience, you might see trout leaping and with even more patience you could even catch one: A three-day fishing permit is available from the Oberländer fishery. Stipulation: a minimum of three years' membership.