Lake Thun is located in the Bern Highlands in Switzerland north of the Alps. It has an area of 48 sq. km, length of 17.5 km and maximum depth of 217 m. It was named after the city of Thun, located on the north bank of the lake. Lake Thun is fed by water from Lake Brienz, which is to the southeast. Lake Thun was formed after the last Ice Age. In the distant past Thun and Brienz lakes were one. A number of professional fishers work at Lake Thun. They caught 53 000 kg of fish in 2001. There are ten passenger ships on the lake in total. The first one sailed across the lake in 1835.

Summer Sports
Summer sports at Lake Thun include biking, hiking, a variety of water sports, canyoning, rafting, sky sports and others. A bike tour around Lake Thun will make you forget the rat race and lead you to embrace the beauty of nature. There are 360 km of marked routes with detailed maps in the area. There are special slopes for downhill cycling, an innovative subdivision of this sport. This is more of an extreme sport giving an unforgettable adrenaline rush, especially if you choose to bike down the steep Wiriehorn. To reach this slope, you must take the lift from Riedli station to Nuegg station. There are easier routes as well, and one of them is from the city of Thun up to the Blueme. This scenic bike tour offers panoramic views of the lake, the Alps and the Emmental. In clear weather you can see the majestic peaks of the Jura. The route passes through tranquil woodland with many resting places.

Another new and exciting sport you can try here is aqua biking. You dont need a repair kit, you dont have to worry about crashing into hikers, and you can forget about shifting gears. The maximum speed is 15 km/h, which requires serious pedal pushing, but the reward will be the refreshingly cool spray in your face. There are several cross-country cycling routes in Switzerland. One possibility is to start from the Grimsel Pass down to Aare Gorge, along Lake Thun toward Bern and Koblenz. The total length of the trek is 300 km. Water sports on Lake Thun include sailing, windsurfing, water skiing, wakeboarding, diving and of course swimming. The lake offers excellent wind conditions, and all sailors are aware of this. Beginners can attend classes at the Lake Thun Water Ski and Wakeboard School in the village of Gunten. It was established in 1952 and offers wakeboarding and water skiing lessons to everyone who is interested. For those interested in swimming, there are outdoor and indoor pools and lidos in almost every village around the lake. Boating is a nice option, and boats can be rented in most places. For those craving something a bit more extreme, canyoning and rafting are suitable activities. You can choose an adventurous rafting trip on the Simme or a gentler one from Thun to Bern on the Aare River. The Simme offers an alternation of steep slopes and huge waves. The world of canyoning is very exciting waterfalls, hidden pools, deep twisting gorges and more. You will jump down the waterfalls and rappel down cliffs with professional guides, state-of-the-art equipment and detailed instructions. Each canyon offers a unique experience. The best canyons in the country are waiting to be discovered! Popular terrains for practicing this sport are Chli Schlieren, Saxeten and Grimsel. You can also try sea kayaking but in the crystal waters of Lake Thun. This sport was practiced by Eskimos centuries ago, but it is never too late to discover it all over!

Of sky sports, Lake Thun region offers skydiving and tandem paragliding. You and your instructor will jump off a plane at 4000 m above sea level. The free fall toward the bottomless alpine valleys will take your breath away. An added bonus is the panoramic plane flight before the plunge. The planes take off from Reichenbach airport. The natural setting of the leap is as amazing as the leap itself. When your instructor opens the parachute things slow down and you will have a chance to admire the scenery. The landing is at a Reichenbach airbase. You must be at least 18 and under 90 kg to apply. The free fall takes 45 seconds, but it feels like a lifetime. You must bring a camera, good shoes and a windbreaker. This service is available daily from April to September and on weekends from October to March. Lake Thun is a hikers paradise. You can always take part in this traditional and reinvigorating recreational activity. There are many trails, from strenuous and exhausting to easy and simple. Many hiking and walking tours are available in the lake region. The view from the lake to the Alps is unforgettable. You can explore various peaks in the vicinity of the lake such as Morgenberghorn, Stockhorn, Niederhorn and Niesen. A popular trail is the one around the perimeter of Lake Thun. You will visit cultural and historical landmarks during the trek. It begins along the Aarequai in Thun, continues through thick woodlands, past the charming villages of Hilterfingen, Oberhofen, and Gunten, and then along the Pilgrims route to St. Beatus Caves. You will reach the left shore of the lake through the Weissenau nature reserve. The panoramic trail over the Strttligegg Bridge marks the final stretch. Highlights along the way include the Rustwald Forest, the bays Faulensee and Spiez, and Kanderschlucht Gorge.

Winter sports
The eternally white peaks of Jungfrau, Mnch and Eiger and Lake Thun provide a fantastic backdrop to the winter landscape. The area offers great winter hiking tours at elevations above the fog, and well-maintained ski runs and cross-country trails. The ski resorts of Heimenschwand, Beatenberg/Niederhorn, Goldiwil/Heiligenschwendi, Aeschi and Innereriz ensure prime snow conditions and family friendly ski slopes and snowboard runs. The Aeschi/Aeschiried-Krattigen ski resort is small but fine, offering scenic views of the Aaretal, easy runs and cheap passes. These factors make it perfect for amateurs and families. Visitors craving the idyllic experience of the countryside and nature will find the solitary winter hiking and cross-country trails around the lake simply perfect. Aeschi village offers 25 km of classic cross-country tracks, 25 km of skating tracks and 25 km of marked ski runs extending to Aeschiried and Suldtal for pros, intermediates and beginners. There is a cross-country ski school in the area and places for equipment rental. Other tracks in the area include Goldiwil, Heimenschwand, Schwanden/Sigriswil, Eriz-Innereriz and Heiligenschwendi. Not only snowboarders and skiers will get their moneys worth. Excellent tobogganing runs through the soft snow are popular with old and young alike. These include the runs of Eriz, Niederhorn and Heiligenschwendi. A new and exciting option is helicopter skiing. You will be flown up to an alpine field, where you simply put on skis or a board and open your eyes to a new world. There will be nothing except brilliantly white untouched snow, you and your mountain guide. The meeting point is Reichenbach airbase, from where you will be transported to the ski area of your choice. The flight is marvelous in itself, skimming through deep valleys and over mountain peaks before the touchdown. Before you plunge down the slopes your guide will provide safety instructions.

Sightseeing
There are attractions in Lake Thun region for every taste castles, museums, galleries, and more. Notable castles include those of Hnegg, Oberhofen, Wimmis, Spiez and the Castle of Thun itself. The interior of Hnegg castle features century-old furniture and has not been altered in any way since 1900. Constructed in 1863, it lies amidst a splendid wooden park. It was commissioned as the aristocratic residence of Baron von Parpart. This castle is located in the village of Hilterfingen. The Castle of Oberhofen is right on the lakefront. Its museums collection chronicles domestic life in Bern from the 1500s to the 1800s. Other highlights are a Turkish smoking room and a Middle Age chapel. The Castle of Wimmis in Wimmis town was originally a fortress. The castle and Wimmis church date back to the 9th century. The castle was enlarged in the 17th century. There are 155 steps to the castle from the south entrance. Spiez Castle features elements of the early Romanesque style. Examples are the murals, the high chancel, and the crypt. The castle consists of a kitchen, a fortified turret, and splendid Gothic rooms. The banquet hall features exquisite stuccowork, paintings and furniture. Occasionally the castle hosts temporary exhibits and concerts. Notable museums in the area include the Heritage and Wine-making Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Swiss Army Museum in Thun. The building of the wine museum was completed in 1728. It features a traditional winepress, a farmhouse garden and a granary. You will step into a characteristic Swiss farming household, complete with living rooms and a kitchen. There is a display about work in the cellar and vineyard, as well as a chronicle of local history and its connection to wine growing. This area offers a prime attraction the only crystal glassworks in the country. The Sarner Cristal AG glassworks is located in the town of Uetendorf near Thun. You can watch the skilled glass blowers at work every day during opening hours. This will make for a great family trip. The production formula is secret, but you will learn everything else about glassmaking. There is also a fascinating glassworks exhibit of the full scope of glass products. Another great family option is the first observatory in the country traversed by wheelchair, Sternwarte Planetarium. This is a workshop, a museum and a school all in one. It offers 70 places, interactive displays and state-of-the-art technology. You can observe the sun from the terrace through a direct projector.

Thun
Thun received its first mention in history in the 7th century, but it is believed that the area was settled as far back as 2500 BC. In 1033 the region of Thun was integrated in the Roman Empire. Its name derives from the Celtic word Dunum, which means fortified town. The town received state rights in 1264 and was purchased by Bern canton in 1384. A military school was established here in 1819, which later became the main military school in the country. The biggest garrison in Switzerland is located in Thun as well. The Swiss Department of Defense ordered the city to establish a collection of army materials, which can be seen in the Swiss Army Museum on the military base of Thun. It includes uniforms, battle tanks, machine guns, uniforms and other items chronicling the historical development of the Swiss army. There are over 100 000 objects in total. Thun Castle was built in the late 1100s. The massive rooftop dates back to 1430. The castles museum consists of five storeys dedicated to the cultural development of the region over a period of four millenniums. You will visit the fascinating Knights' Hall and the section of excavations containing ceramics from Heimberg and other curiosities. The Museum of Fine Arts in Thun was established in 1948. It hosts permanent and temporary exhibits of local and international art.