Switzerland's Hidden Wonderland! This "Gateway to Paradise" town is more healing than Interlaken, and even your phone will
I've been to Switzerland 10 times, but it wasn't until I met Lungern that I truly understood what it means to "bring a fairy tale to life." Avoiding the crowded popular spots, this "Lucerne-Interlaken-Lungern" loop hides Switzerland's most authentic pastoral poetry, especially Lungern, which can be called the "ultimate healing travel destination."
Departing from Interlaken at noon, the train takes only half an hour, and the scenery outside the window changes from a bustling town to a tranquil valley—welcome to Lungern. It is located in the valley basin of Obwalden, at an altitude of 712 meters, where the air carries the scent of fresh grass. There are no hotels or restaurants, only wooden cottages and small gardens tended by locals. The flowers on the windowsills sway in the breeze, as if welcoming everyone who stumbles into this "hidden paradise."
The soul of Lungern is the color-changing Lungern Lake (Lungernsee). In direct light, the water is a clear emerald green, like a box of jewels spilled by God; in backlight, it turns into a deep peacock blue, reflecting the distant mountains. Every snapshot is wallpaper-worthy. Unlike other lakes crowded with tourists, here it is so quiet you can hear the wind blowing over the lake. Sitting by the lake and zoning out, all your anxieties slowly melt away.
As a stop along the GoldenPass Line, Lungern’s beauty is also hidden in the train window views. When the train slowly passes through the valley, the lake, wooden houses, and pastures outside the window form a flowing oil painting, making you want to press your face against the glass, afraid to miss a single frame of the scenery.
Of course, if you want to take photos that will make your social media legendary, remember these 4 spots:
1. Mülibachersträssli 40: The famous S-curve spot, where the winding road stretches along the lakeshore with mountains in the distance. Every shot looks cinematic.
2. Mülibachersträssli 14: The town panorama spot, where you can capture the moment the train passes through the town. We waited a full half hour for this scene, and the moment the train appeared, all the waiting was worth it!
3. Inseli Lungern: A tiny island in the lake, where you can get a 360° panoramic view of Lungern Lake. Small and cute, every photo looks like a fairy tale.
4. Allmendlistrasse 5: The perfect place for reflections, where the church and wooden houses mirror on the calm lake surface. The symmetrical beauty is stunning, especially in the soft light of early morning or evening.
Actually, Lungern’s beauty is not limited to these fixed spots. Walking slowly along the lakeshore, every step is a surprise: cows grazing in the pastures, smoke curling from wooden chimneys, occasional bird calls—the whole world is quiet and beautiful. If Switzerland has the "most beautiful town," Lungern is definitely my top pick—it’s free from noise, with scenery that heals the soul. If paradise really has an entrance, it must look like Lungern.
For accommodation, I recommend Hotel Anker Luzern in Lucerne. It’s conveniently located, and after visiting Lungern, you can return to Lucerne to enjoy the romantic lakeside at night, making your whole Swiss trip more complete.
Would you like me to organize a "must-have travel checklist" for this guide? It includes the best travel times, transportation tips, and photography gear suggestions to help you avoid detours when visiting Lungern.