Ringgenberg between castle church, lake and nature

Ringgenberg on Lake Brienz offers several distinct highlights: the archaeological trail in Ringgenberg-Goldswil, the castle church, Burgseeli lake and the ruins of Schadenburg Castle. This makes it possible to plan a stay combining cultural history, nature and seasonal swimming. You can decide which stops matter most to you based on your travel dates and interests.

Castle Ruins and Castle Church

The archaeological trail in Ringgenberg-Goldswil connects the castle ruins with the church ruins and runs high above Lake Brienz. Its focus is therefore on two ruins linked by a visitor route.

Ringgenberg Castle Church combines the ruins of a medieval castle belonging to the high nobility with a Baroque-era Reformed church. Felix Mendelssohn played the organ at the castle church in 1847. Since 2008, visitors have been able to access the castle tower via stairs, a gallery and an observation terrace. Check current access arrangements before planning a visit to the tower.

These are different ways to enjoy a cultural programme: the archaeological trail brings the castle ruins and church ruins together on one route. At the castle church, medieval castle remains meet a Baroque-era Reformed church; the organ’s history and the castle tower add musical and architectural dimensions to this stop.

The Schlossweid Village Museum is housed in a Stöckli on the “Schlossweid” property in Ringgenberg. This destination also has a specific connection to the area, but its location in a Stöckli sets it apart from the sites around the castle church.

Trails and Landscape around Ringgenberg

The ruins of Schadenburg Castle are a rectangular stone structure above the village of Ringgenberg, along the route between Ringgenberg and Niederried. From the road, it is a ten-minute walk through the forest to the ruins. Weather conditions may be a factor when planning this walk.

Ringgenberg and Goldswil have an extensive network of hiking and walking trails. Both places are situated on a south-facing slope by Lake Brienz; Ringgenberg and Goldswil offer panoramic views. They are also just a few minutes’ drive from Interlaken. They make good starting points for excursions to the Jungfrau Region, the Bernese Oberland and the rest of Switzerland.

The Ringgenberg Planet Trail is open year-round and is easy to navigate with a stroller. Weather conditions may affect how easy it is to walk the trail. This makes it a different option for planning your day than an excursion whose timing depends on the swimming season.

Burgseeli: Nature Reserve and Seasonal Swimming

Burgseeli lake is the centrepiece of the Burgseeli nature reserve in the municipality of Ringgenberg. The yellow flag iris is commonly found there and blooms in May and June. If you would like to include its bloom in your travel plans, these are the relevant months.

Thanks to warm water temperatures of up to 26°C, swimming in Burgseeli is possible from May to September. The periods overlap in May and June: the yellow flag iris is in bloom, and swimming is already possible. The swimming season continues until September, while the Planet Trail is open year-round. You can therefore plan your trip around the activities that interest you, without limiting nature watching, swimming and trails to the same time of year.

Discover more destinations: Goldswil, Lütschental, Grindelwald, Beatenberg, Matten near Interlaken, Saxeten, Schwanden near Brienz, Iseltwald.

See the main travel overview: Interlaken.