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Lake Thun is an Alpine lake in the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland. It took its name from the city of Thun, on its northern shore.
Lake Thun's approximately 2,500 km2 large catchment area frequently causes local flooding after heavy rainfalls. This occurs because the river Aar, which drains Lake Thun, has only limited capacity to handle the excess runoff.
The lake is fed by water from Lake Brienz to the south east, which lies 6 metres higher than Lake Thun, and various streams in the Oberland, including the Kander (only since 1714). Lake Thun was created after the last ice age and was originally part of Lake Brienz. The historic combined lake is called Wendelsee by geologists and historians.
Since 1835 passenger ships have operated on the lake. There are ten passenger ships in total, operated by the local railway company BLS AG. In order to enable these ships to serve the towns of Interlaken and Thun, the Interlaken ship canal and Thun ship canal connect the lake to Interlaken West railway station and Thun railway station respectively.
The small town of Thun at the western end of the lake with the same name is the gateway to the Bernese Oberland. It boasts a medieval Old Town, a mighty castle and an attractive pedestrian zone. One of the best-known towns in the Bernese Oberland is Interlaken, at the foot of the Jungfrau Region. The town at the upper end of Lake Thun is an ideal starting point for excursions to the Bernese Oberland.
Lake boats sail Lake Thun all year round. In summer a magnificently restored historic paddle steamer plies the lake. On the sunny southern slopes between Thun und Merligen subtropical vegetation flourishes that has given the region the name the “Riviera of Lake Thun”. On the opposite side of the lake, in the Bay of Spiez, which is presided over by a beautiful castle, you will find small vineyards. Not to be missed are the twelve one-thousand-year-old Romanesque churches that dot the coastline, for example in Einigen.
Fishing is important enough to keep a handful of professional fishers employed. In 2001 the total catch was 53,000 kg.
Following World War II and up until 1964, the Swiss Government disposed of unused munitions into Lake Thun. The quantity of munitions dumped is reported to be from 3,000 to more than 9,020 tons.
Lake Thun's approximately 2,500 km2 large catchment area frequently causes local flooding after heavy rainfalls. This occurs because the river Aar, which drains Lake Thun, has only limited capacity to handle the excess runoff.
The lake is fed by water from Lake Brienz to the south east, which lies 6 metres higher than Lake Thun, and various streams in the Oberland, including the Kander (only since 1714). Lake Thun was created after the last ice age and was originally part of Lake Brienz. The historic combined lake is called Wendelsee by geologists and historians.
Since 1835 passenger ships have operated on the lake. There are ten passenger ships in total, operated by the local railway company BLS AG. In order to enable these ships to serve the towns of Interlaken and Thun, the Interlaken ship canal and Thun ship canal connect the lake to Interlaken West railway station and Thun railway station respectively.
The small town of Thun at the western end of the lake with the same name is the gateway to the Bernese Oberland. It boasts a medieval Old Town, a mighty castle and an attractive pedestrian zone. One of the best-known towns in the Bernese Oberland is Interlaken, at the foot of the Jungfrau Region. The town at the upper end of Lake Thun is an ideal starting point for excursions to the Bernese Oberland.
Lake boats sail Lake Thun all year round. In summer a magnificently restored historic paddle steamer plies the lake. On the sunny southern slopes between Thun und Merligen subtropical vegetation flourishes that has given the region the name the “Riviera of Lake Thun”. On the opposite side of the lake, in the Bay of Spiez, which is presided over by a beautiful castle, you will find small vineyards. Not to be missed are the twelve one-thousand-year-old Romanesque churches that dot the coastline, for example in Einigen.
Fishing is important enough to keep a handful of professional fishers employed. In 2001 the total catch was 53,000 kg.
Following World War II and up until 1964, the Swiss Government disposed of unused munitions into Lake Thun. The quantity of munitions dumped is reported to be from 3,000 to more than 9,020 tons.
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