Bernese Oberland

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View of Thun and Lake Thun from the Niederhorn

The Bernese Oberland (Bernese highlands) is the higher part of the canton of Bern, Switzerland, in the South of the canton: The area around Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and the valleys of the Bernese Alps (thus, the inhabitable parts from approximately the level of Lake Thun at 558 m). Districts considered part of the Oberland are:

The Swiss German dialects spoken in the Bernese Oberland are Highest Alemannic German, contrasting with the High Alemannic Bernese German spoken in Berne and the northern parts of the canton.

See also: The Friend of God from the Oberland, a mystical figure associated to that region.

The Berner Oberland offers impressive ski touring possibilities, as well. A train from Kleine Scheidegg takes one through the North Face of the Eiger to the Jungfraujoch. Here, one may ski down to the glacial intersection of the Konkordiaplatz on the Aletsch--the longest glacier in Europe.
The vertical relief is remarkable & there are many 4000-m peaks in the area, including the famous Jungfrau, Monch & Eiger as well as lesser known giants like the Finsteraarhorn & the Aletschhorn.

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