St. Beatus Caves (St. Beatus-Höhlen)

The St. Beatus Caves are a system of limestone caves on the northern slope above Lake Thun, in the municipality of Beatenberg, a short distance from Interlaken. They are named after Saint Beatus, a legendary figure who is said to have lived as a hermit in the caves in the early Christian period and to have driven out a dragon that lived there. The story is part of the folklore of the Bernese Oberland, and it explains why the caves have been a place of pilgrimage for centuries. Today they are best known as a show cave with illuminated passages and a museum.

The cave system is large, running for many kilometres inside the mountain, though only about a kilometre is open to visitors. The visit follows a path of tunnels, steps and stairways that lead through the limestone, past chambers decorated with stalactites hanging from the ceiling and stalagmites growing from the floor, and past small lakes and a waterfall. The temperature inside stays steady all year at a cool level, so a jacket is needed even in summer. Lighting shows the shapes and colours of the rock, and information boards in several languages explain how the caves were formed by water dissolving the limestone over many thousands of years. The sound of dripping and running water gives the passages an atmosphere of deep quiet.

The caves are part of a wider history of use. In the Middle Ages, pilgrims visited the cave of the hermit, and in the 16th century, after the Reformation, the Bernese authorities sealed the entrance to end pilgrimages. It was only in the 19th and 20th centuries that the caves were explored and opened as a tourist attraction. A small museum at the site shows the history of the caves, the cave exploration and the geology of the area, and there are displays about animals and cave life. A garden and playground outside make the site useful for families, and a restaurant with a terrace gives views over Lake Thun, the water and the mountains opposite.

Reaching the caves is easy. A boat from Interlaken or Thun crosses the lake to the Beatenbucht landing, from where a path leads up to the entrance, and there are also bus connections and a road. The walk from the landing stage is short but steep in places. The caves are usually open from spring to autumn, with reduced hours or closure in winter, so check the current timetable and ticket prices, and watch for any weather-related closures. The paths inside are wet and can be slippery, so wear shoes with grip.

The caves suit families, geology fans and anyone looking for a sheltered activity in the Interlaken area, particularly on a wet day. Allow one to two hours.