May 2, 2010 - 1:50 PM
Hello Sportscrew,
There are lots of adventurous outdoor activities available in the Bernese Oberland. Interlaken is a centre for many of them. Several outdoor companies are based here and in some nearby villages. Please make sure to book your activities with one of these companies at all times and not to get out there on yourself. These sports are wonderful, but they can be dangerous if ill prepared or ill guided. Among the activities are paragliding (a splendid experience!), skydiving, bungee jumping and rafting at the Saxet river.
Some details: paragliding can be done from several locations. I'm not sure if you have experience yourself, but if not, you'll have to book for a tandem flight along with an instructor. The higher your location, the longer the flight lasts and - of course - the more you pay. Paragliding locations around Interlaken include Beatenberg (which I once did myself and which I highly recommend), the Niederhorn and Schynige Platte. Some companies also offer training courses, but this is of course expensive and I don't know if a one month stay would suffice. Bungee jumping is possible on a number of locations as well, for example from a cliff over the Lütschine river or from the Stockhorn cable car wich leaves from Zweisimmen.
Here are some outdoor companies:
Youth hostels can be found in this area as well, most of them in the larger, more touristy resorts such as - once again - Interlaken. Please take a look at our
accommodation links to find out more. You'll find some overviews of backpacker hotels and youth hostels here.
Of course you're more than welcome to post your questions on Swiss rail passes as well. If you can provide more information on the trips you plan to make, we'll be able to help you better.
Have fun preparing for your stay!