Bernese Oberland with a Dog: Cable Cars, Gorges, Lakes and Rules

The Bernese Oberland is one of the most dog-friendly regions in the Alps: dogs ride most cable cars, trains and boats, often for free or for a few francs, they are welcome in the Aare Gorge and the Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge, and they can swim in almost every lake. The one big exception is the Trümmelbach Falls, where dogs are not allowed. We spent a week there from July 4 to 11, 2026, with our dog Miley, based in Brienz and travelling by car, and Miley came with us everywhere except into the Trümmelbach Falls. This guide lists what each cable car charges for a dog, which gorges allow dogs, where your dog can swim and which rules you need to know. For all destinations in the region, see our Bernese Oberland guide.

Is the Bernese Oberland good for a holiday with a dog?

Yes, very. In a full week Miley was welcome on every cable car, train and boat we used, in two of the three gorges we visited, in restaurants on the Schilthorn and in every lake we swam in. Only the Trümmelbach Falls turned us away, and that was clearly signposted.

What struck us most, coming from Germany, was how normal dogs are here. On the Walenrain meadow in Spiez there is a separate area for people with dogs instead of a “no dogs” sign. On the Schilthorn, dogs ride for free and are allowed in the revolving restaurant. The rules that do exist are about wildlife, cows and safety, and they are clear: leash on cable cars and boats, leash in hunting reserves and on alpine pastures, no dogs in outdoor pools.

The costs are small compared with everything else in Switzerland. Over the whole week we paid a dog ticket on only two mountain trips: CHF 8 at Oeschinen Lake and the dog fare on the Rothorn cable car from Sörenberg. Everything else, from the Schilthorn to both gorges, was free for Miley.

Before you go: entry rules for dogs

To bring a dog into Switzerland from an EU country you need a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an EU pet passport, according to the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (BLV). Dogs with cropped ears or docked tails may not be imported. From outside the EU, extra rules and a border check at the red customs exit can apply.

• Microchip first: the chip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
• Rabies vaccination: possible from 12 weeks of age and valid 21 days after the first shot.
• Puppies: under 16 weeks they need a special owner declaration if the vaccination programme is not complete.
• From the USA, UK and other non-EU countries: the rules depend on the BLV’s country list by rabies risk. Depending on the country, a veterinary certificate, an antibody test, waiting periods or an import permit may be needed. Check the BLV travel check online well before you book.

We drove in from southern Germany with Miley in the back of the car and the EU pet passport in the glovebox. Keep it with you; it has to be valid for the whole trip. If you are planning the whole trip by car, our guide to driving in Switzerland covers the motorway vignette and mountain roads, and a rental car with enough room for a crate makes everything easier

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Trains, buses and boats with a dog

Dogs travel on Swiss trains, PostBuses and lake boats if they have a ticket; dogs up to 30 cm at the shoulder travel free in a carrier. For larger dogs, the simplest option is the SBB dog day pass for CHF 25 (about US$30), which rises to CHF 27 from December 13, 2026.

• Dog day pass: valid for one calendar day on trains, boats, PostBuses and most city buses and trams, in first and second class. You need your own valid ticket. Buy it in the SBB Mobile app, online or at a machine.
• Where the dog goes: on the floor under the seat, not in the aisle.
• BLS boats on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz: dogs under 30 cm free, larger dogs need a dog ticket; BLS accepts the dog day pass on scheduled boats. On the paddle steamer Lötschberg keep your dog away from the paddle wheel area.
• Small mountain lines: the Zentralbahn back from the Aare Gorge and the train from Grütschalp to Mürren follow the normal public transport rules for dogs.
• Passes: your own Swiss Travel Pass or Berner Oberland Pass does not include the dog. It needs its own ticket or the dog day pass.

We travelled by car all week, which with a dog is the more relaxed option: no crowded trains at peak times, shade at the car park, and your dog’s bed in the boot. Never leave a dog in the car in July, though: in the sun a car heats up within minutes.

Cable cars and mountain railways: what dogs pay

Dogs are allowed on all the cable cars and mountain railways we used in the Bernese Oberland. The Schilthorn cable cars are free for dogs, the Oeschinen Lake gondola costs CHF 8 per day, the Rothorn steam train CHF 10 and the Rothorn cable car from Sörenberg CHF 6 one way or CHF 12 return.

Schilthorn and Mürren: free for dogs

On the Schilthorn network dogs ride all cable cars for free on a leash, including the new direct line from Stechelberg to Mürren, and the Allmendhubel funicular in Mürren is free too. Dogs are allowed in the restaurants, including the revolving Piz Gloria. Miley spent the whole of July 9 with us: up to the summit, along the ridge, down to Birg and on the hike to the Grauseeli.

• The cabins are packed at peak times. Stand at the window with your dog and skip the first morning rush if your dog is nervous.
• Parts of the summit and the whole Skyline Walk at Birg have grating floors. Some dogs refuse to walk on them.
• The Thrill Walk below Birg, with its glass floor, rope net and crawl tunnel, is not suitable for dogs.
• In Mürren, keep your dog on a leash: the electric carts in the car-free village are almost silent.

Prices for people, opening times and our full day are in the Schilthorn guide; the village is covered in our Mürren guide.

Oeschinen Lake: CHF 8 and a strict leash rule

The gondola from Kandersteg charges CHF 8 per dog per day (about US$10), and the SBB dog day pass is accepted. Add the dog ticket in the online shop when you book your time slot. Dogs must be on a leash in the whole area, strictly in wildlife zones and during the grazing season, which covers the whole summer. On the way to the lake you walk right through the pastures; the operator warns that cows see dogs as predators, so keep your dog close and walk calmly past. There are also snakes, including venomous ones, so stay on the paths. All details are in our Oeschinen Lake guide.

Brienzer Rothorn: train or cable car?

With a dog, take the cable car from Sörenberg. It costs CHF 6 one way or CHF 12 return for dogs from 30 cm, the ride takes about 7 minutes and there was enough room for Miley at the window. The historic steam train from Brienz charges CHF 10 per dog, sold only at the counter in Brienz, and the railway itself warns that smoke and noise can stress dogs; if you take it, sit as far from the locomotive as possible. At the top, the rock tunnel has a grating floor, and the ridge path to the summit cross has steep drops, so keep the leash short. Dogs stay free at the Berghaus Rothorn Kulm. More in our guide to the Brienzer Rothorn from Sörenberg.

Niesen and Reichenbach Falls

We did not ride these two ourselves, so here only the operators’ rules. The Niesen funicular from Mülenen near Spiez takes dogs for CHF 10 for the whole trip. The Reichenbachfall funicular near Meiringen takes dogs too; dogs from 30 cm pay the children’s fare (CHF 10 return), and the 2026 season has ended, with the next one planned from May 1 to October 3, 2027.

Which gorges allow dogs?

The Aare Gorge and the Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge both allow dogs on a leash, for free. The Trümmelbach Falls do not allow dogs at all. Staubbach Falls is free and open to dogs, but the gallery path is narrow.

Aare Gorge: free, cool and solid floors

The Aare Gorge between Meiringen and Innertkirchen welcomes dogs on a short leash, free of charge. The walkways are made of wooden planks, concrete and asphalt; we did not notice any see-through grating on the whole route. Miley walked the gorge with us twice on July 10, in the morning and again during the evening illumination after 21:00, without any problems. The river is very loud in the narrows, so a nervous dog may need a moment, and the lit tunnels are a welcome break. Inside the gorge it is much cooler than outside, ideal on a hot day. Our Aare Gorge guide has prices and the evening dates.

Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge: free, but steep

Dogs go in free at Rosenlaui and must stay on a leash, because the area lies in the Schwarzhorn federal hunting reserve. There are no grating floors, but more than 200 steps, some steep and wet. Miley managed easily on July 5; a very small or old dog may need to be carried on the staircases. At the top exit there is a turnstile: most dogs can crawl under it, otherwise you have to walk back down through the gorge. Afterwards the Reichenbach on the meadows below Rosenlaui is a perfect place to cool off, at the calm edges, because the current is strong and the water ice cold. Note that Hotel Rosenlaui does not take pets overnight. See our Rosenlaui guide.

Trümmelbach Falls: no dogs

The Trümmelbach Falls in the Lauterbrunnen Valley do not admit dogs or children under 4, for safety reasons; a sign at the entrance makes it clear. This was the only place on our whole trip where Miley could not come in. If you travel with a dog, plan the visit so that someone can stay outside, or skip it and walk the valley floor instead. Our Trümmelbach Falls guide has the rest.

Staubbach Falls: free and easy

Staubbach Falls in Lauterbrunnen needs no ticket and has no turnstile, so dogs are no problem. Keep your dog on a leash in the village and on the stairs up to the gallery, which are narrow and wet from the spray. For Miley the highlight was not the waterfall but the stone fountain next to the church, which Miley climbed straight into on July 6. Details in our Staubbach Falls guide. How all the gorges and waterfalls compare is in our overview of the gorges and waterfalls of the Bernese Oberland.

Lakes and swimming spots for dogs

Your dog can swim at almost every public lakeshore in the Bernese Oberland, but usually not in the lidos, because Swiss outdoor pools generally do not admit dogs. Our three favourite spots were Wycheley near Brienz, the Walenrain meadow in Spiez with its own dog area, and Oeschinen Lake.

• Wycheley, Lake Brienz: a free gravel beach at Wycheley Süd 900, 3855 Brienz, with a gentle entry and few people. Miley swam here on July 6 and July 10 and fetched the ball again and again in the clear shallows.
• Walenrain, Spiez: the free meadow next to Spiez Castle has a separate section for people with dogs. Follow the signs so each group keeps to its part. In the castle park dogs are allowed on a leash, in the castle café too, but not in the museum.
• Iseltwald: keep away from the crowded pier and the lido lawn. The shore along the bay has easy entry points.
• Oeschinen Lake: dogs can swim at the beaches; Miley went in near the boat jetty in the morning and again in the afternoon.
• Grauseeli: the mountain lake below Birg, ice cold and almost empty. For Miley the best part of the Schilthorn day.

Water temperatures, parking and the best times for every lake are in our guide to the most beautiful lakes in the Bernese Oberland, and the lake around our base in our Lake Brienz guide.

Restaurants and where to stay with a dog

Restaurants in the Bernese Oberland usually let well-behaved dogs in, and on the Schilthorn the operator explicitly welcomes them. For accommodation, filter for pets when you book: many holiday flats and hotels accept dogs, but some, like the historic Hotel Rosenlaui, do not.

• Schilthorn: dogs allowed in the restaurants, including the revolving Piz Gloria.
• Spiez Castle: dogs welcome in the café, not in the museum.
• Berghaus Rothorn Kulm: dogs stay free in the mountain hotel on the Brienzer Rothorn.
• Hotel Rosenlaui: no pets overnight, but fine for lunch on the terrace.

We stayed in a holiday flat in Brienz, and for a week with a dog that was ideal: quiet lanes for the evening walk, a long flat promenade, fountains with fresh water and Wycheley a few minutes away. If you are looking for a dog-friendly place yourself, Brienz, Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen are good bases . Mobile data for maps and the SBB app is easiest with a local eSIM

. Our guide to Brienz has more about the village.

Rules on trails and pastures

There is no single leash rule for the whole region: leash rules are set locally, and you will find them on signs at the trailheads. In practice, keep your dog on a leash on all cable cars and boats, in hunting reserves, on alpine pastures with cattle and wherever a sign says so.

• Hunting reserves and wildlife zones: at Rosenlaui (Schwarzhorn federal hunting reserve) and around Oeschinen Lake the leash is mandatory.
• Cows: in summer the herds graze right beside the trails. Keep your dog close and calm, never let it chase cattle. The Swiss farm accident prevention service BUL is clear about it: keep the dog leashed, and only if cows attack it, let go of the leash; your dog is faster than you.
• Dog waste: bag it and use the bins. At Oeschinen Lake there are waste stations at both gondola stations and along the main trail.
• Mountain trails: the white-red-white trails are rocky and steep in places. They need a fit, sure-footed dog. The ridge path on the Rothorn and the trail to the Grauseeli have steep drops.
• Lidos: Swiss outdoor pools generally do not admit dogs.

Heat, grating floors and cold water

The three things that matter most for your dog in summer are heat, grating floors and ice-cold water. In July the valley floors and gravel beaches get hot in the afternoon, several viewpoints have see-through metal grating, and the mountain lakes and rivers are fed by glaciers.

• Heat: walk in the morning and late afternoon. The Lauterbrunnen valley floor has little shade. The gorges stay cool even in a heat wave.
• Water: carry water and a bowl. The stone fountains in Brienz and Lauterbrunnen have running water, and Miley used them gladly.
• Grating floors: on the Schilthorn summit, the Skyline Walk at Birg and in the rock tunnel on the Rothorn. Not in the Aare Gorge or at Rosenlaui.
• Cold water and currents: let your dog swim at calm edges. The Reichenbach and the Lütschine are strong in summer; the Grauseeli and Oeschinen Lake are cold.
• Noise: the gorges are loud, and the steam train on the Rothorn adds smoke. Watch how your dog reacts.

Our week with Miley, day by day

This is how our week went, from Miley’s point of view. Every day had at least one place to swim, and only one stop where our dog had to stay outside.

• July 4: arrival in Brienz, evening walk down the Brunngasse to the lake, bath in a village fountain.
• July 5: Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge in the morning, picnic and swim in the Reichenbach below the Wellhorn.
• July 6: Trümmelbach Falls without Miley, then Lauterbrunnen, the fountain by the church and Staubbach Falls, evening at Wycheley.
• July 7: Oeschinen Lake with two swims, then the Walenrain in Spiez.
• July 8: Brienzer Rothorn by cable car from Sörenberg, the rock tunnel and the ridge.
• July 9: Schilthorn, Birg and the Grauseeli, evening in Mürren, where Miley met a cat in the middle of the lane and both decided the street was wide enough.
• July 10: Aare Gorge in the morning, Iseltwald at midday, Wycheley in the evening, the illuminated gorge at night.

If you want to plan a similar week, our Bernese Oberland itinerary lays out the days, and the whole trip is summed up on Swiss Detours.

Our tips for the Bernese Oberland with a dog

• Buy dog tickets at the right place. The Rothorn steam train sells them only at the Brienz counter; at Oeschinen Lake add the dog to your online booking.
• Use the SBB dog day pass on days with several trains, buses or boats. It pays off quickly.
• Choose the cable car over the steam train if your dog dislikes noise and smoke.
• Plan the Trümmelbach Falls around your dog, or skip them and walk the valley floor.
• Visit gorges on hot days. The Aare Gorge and Rosenlaui are cool and dog-friendly.
• Pack a towel and a bowl. There will be water every day.
• Carry the pet passport on every day trip.

Planning your trip? Our good-to-know guides cover eSIM and mobile data in Switzerland, how to get from Zurich Airport to Interlaken, whether the Swiss Travel Pass is worth it and luggage storage, plus everything else in good to know before you go.

FAQ: Switzerland with a dog

Are dogs allowed on cable cars in Switzerland?

Yes, on all the cable cars we used in the Bernese Oberland. The Schilthorn cable cars are free for dogs, the Oeschinen Lake gondola costs CHF 8 per day, the Rothorn cable car from Sörenberg CHF 6 one way or CHF 12 return.

Do dogs need a ticket on Swiss trains?

Dogs up to 30 cm at the shoulder travel free in a carrier. Larger dogs need a ticket; the SBB dog day pass costs CHF 25, from December 13, 2026, CHF 27, and is also valid on PostBuses and lake boats.

Which gorges in the Bernese Oberland allow dogs?

The Aare Gorge and the Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge, both for free on a leash. Staubbach Falls is free and open to dogs. The Trümmelbach Falls do not allow dogs.

Can dogs swim in the lakes?

Yes, at public shores such as Wycheley on Lake Brienz, the Walenrain in Spiez, Iseltwald and Oeschinen Lake. Lidos generally do not admit dogs.

What do I need to enter Switzerland with a dog?

From the EU: a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an EU pet passport. Dogs with cropped ears or docked tails cannot be imported. From other countries, check the BLV rules for your country before you travel.

Are dogs allowed in restaurants?

Usually yes, if they are calm. On the Schilthorn dogs are explicitly allowed in the restaurants, and Spiez Castle allows them in its café.

Check Lake Brienz boats and tours →

A week in the Bernese Oberland with a dog is easier than in most places we know. Start with the lakes in best lakes in Switzerland, add a gorge on a hot day, take the Schilthorn for free with your dog and keep an evening for Wycheley. All destinations are in our Bernese Oberland guide, and our other trips on the Swiss Detours home page.