Adelboden Things to Do

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We opted to ride up the gondola and walk down the waterfall path - a steepish path that took about 2 hours. Not difficult, there are rock steps but sections can be a bit wet and slippery from the spray so take your time and wear good shoes. The best views of the falls are seen this way - it starts off on one side and then crosses over to the other side when it reaches a flower-strewn plateau by way of a bridge so you get superb face on views - the roar and power of the cascade is amazing.

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Take the cable car to the top of the Schilthorn. The views from the top are stunning. The cable cars are not cheap, but the journey up is well worth it.

Be prepared for cold at the top. It is nearly 3000 metres high and even in the height of summer there is snow on the ground at the top.

There is a restaurant and shop at the top, and as they once shot a James Bond film at the summit, the shop does a good trade in Bond things. Ok if you like that sort of thing.

There is a good Ice Rink in the town. You have the hire the skates from various shops in the high street and not the Ice Rink. It is very cheap (compared to London) to skate there, but be careful otherwise you will fall and hurt yourself like me!

We took a party of teenagers abseiling down a gorge. It was brilliant. The kids are still talking about it now weeks later. The gorge has a fierce water water river thundering through it and you abseil down the sides. Well worth it.

The instructors are excellent and the equipment is first class.

In the vicinity of Adelboden there are some impressive waterfalls, but the most stunning of them are the Engstligen waterfalls. You can see them from the cable car - like I did - but it is of course more enjoyable to walk and have a closer look.

A hiking path goes up from "Unter dem Birg" all the time along the falls up to Engstligenalp.

When I was in Adelboden the falls were illuminated at night, and I could see them from the dining room as well as from my balcony. Wow!

Like everywhere in the Bernese Oberland you'll find plenty of beautiful wooden houses, called chalet, in Adelboden.

In the village centre itself, but of course in the hamlets outside in particular, there are excellent examples of this rural architecture. In summer they are still more picturesque with their surrounding small farmer's gardens and blooming flowers. It's simply cosy, and you'll feel like in past centuries.

Adelboden's church was built in 1433. To the left of the western door you can see a beautiful fresco from 1471, depicting the final judgement. Inside you find a nice wooden ceiling from 1488.

In case you have good luck and the sun shines you'll be fascinated by the magic light in the church. Reason are the stained glass windows, a fantastic work of Augusto Giacometti, dating from the early 20th century.

A great plain at an altitude of 6000 ft, surrounded by mountains. Snowboard, freeride, alpine and cross-country skiing in winter, hiking and climbing in summer. Cross-country run excellent for beginners and nature enthusiasts - not crowded and not much ups and downs. In June, a dream of mountain flowers and mountain streams. There's a special tour (about one hour) for wheelchairs (and prams) or people who are not fitness freaks. Two mountain restaurants/hostels.

A great plain at an altitude of 6000 ft, surrounded by mountains. Snowboard, freeride, alpine and cross-country skiing in winter, hiking and climbing in summer. Cross-country run excellent for beginners and nature enthusiasts - not crowded and not much ups and downs. In June, a dream of mountain flowers and mountain streams. There's a special tour (about one hour) for weelchairs (and prams) or people who are not fitness freaks. Two mountain restaurants/hostels.

One of the most impressive waterfalls in the Swiss mountains. About fifteen minutes walk from parking lot (no special shoes required). There is a bus every hour, or (recommended) you can take an enjoyable walk (about 1 1/2 hrs) along the river.