Discover Unterbäch

Unterbäch is a locality in the municipality of Meiringen in the Bernese Oberland, in the canton of Bern. The information varies by route length, time, difficulty rating and opening hours. This lets you plan hiking, cycling and a visit with a set time slot as separate parts of your stay.

Hike to Oltschibach Falls

The “Unterbach – Oltschibach Falls – Meiringen” hike is 8.4 kilometres long and takes about three hours. On the route, you reach Oltschibach Falls shortly after leaving the military airfield in a southerly direction. At Unterbach, Oltschibach Falls plunge about 140 metres. The route length and approximate walking time provide an initial framework for planning your day; the time is an estimate, and trail conditions can change.

You can reach the hike by train and bus, getting off at the Unterbach Flugplatz stop. Check current timetables before travelling and trail conditions before setting out. The stop and approximate hiking time help you plan the journey and hike as separate parts of the day, rather than treating the three hours as the total travel time.

Cycling routes linked to Unterbach

The Aare Route between Meiringen and Spiez passes through Unterbach at an altitude of 579 metres. Another route reference is the Lakes Route stage from Spiez to Meiringen, which also passes through Unterbach. This stage is rated moderate and is 48.3 kilometres long. A route closure is currently noted on the stage; check conditions before setting out.

The Grosse Scheidegg loop runs via Lake Brienz and Unterbach back to Meiringen. It is rated difficult and has 1,792 metres of ascent. The cycling tours described therefore differ not only in their routes: the Lakes Route stage is listed as 48.3 kilometres and rated “moderate”, while the Grosse Scheidegg loop is rated “difficult” and has the stated ascent. The difficulty rating and elevation gain offer concrete points of comparison when planning tours with different demands. Also check the route provider’s current information for the Grosse Scheidegg loop.

Hangar 1 and Fliegertreff at the military airfield

Hangar 1 at Meiringen military airfield is open to interested visitors from April to October on the first Wednesday of each month, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Times may change; check the date before travelling. No booking is required for the visit; confirm this information before your trip. The exhibition in Hangar 1 features an F-5 Tiger fighter aircraft equipped for service.

The Fliegertreff restaurant at Meiringen military airfield is also open to the public. It has a terrace with 50 seats and offers catering and takeaway service. Information about its operations and services may change; check the details before your visit. This allows you to treat Hangar 1’s set visiting hours and the restaurant as separate activities.

Meiringen and the wider area

Meiringen lies in the eastern Bernese Oberland, in the Haslital valley on the upper reaches of the Aare. The river flows west towards Lake Brienz. This geographical context describes the wider municipality to which Unterbäch belongs.

Near Meiringen, the Naturperlenweg is an approximately four-kilometre circular trail with information panels. It leads into an alluvial area and an amphibian spawning area of national importance. Its approximate length and circular route distinguish this regional trail from the hike to Oltschibach Falls, for which a walking time of about three hours is given. The information panels and the protected areas described identify the Naturperlenweg as another way to get a sense of the landscape around Meiringen.

Discover more destinations: Guttannen, Reuti, Hasliberg, Hohfluh, Innertkirchen, Gadmen, Meiringen, Schattenhalb.

Back to the main travel overview: Oberhasli.