As soon as travelers arrive at St. Beatus Caves, they will feel like they have stepped into a fairy tale realm. The mysterious cave system is located high in the alps near Interlaken and remains one of Switzerland's best-kept secrets.
Visitors can enjoy cave hiking, waterfalls, and stunning views of Lake Thun below on a visit to Saint Beatus Caves. Travelers searching for a natural wonder, geological marvels, and magical legends will love visiting this vast cave system and learning about its mystical history.
The Legend Of St. Beatus Caves
The legend of Saint Beatus Caves emerged from local folklore. In the days of old, the cave was home to a dragon that terrorized the valley and the villages surrounding Lake Thun. The dragon lived in the immense cave system, emerging every so often to create havoc in the nearby towns.
The dragon reigned supreme for years until Beatus of Lungern arrived sometime around 100 AD. Beatus of Lungern was an Irish monk who arrived in Switzerland after leaving Ireland during the Roman invasions. Some say that Beatus was the son of a Scottish king, but little is known about his origins. After spending some time on a religious pilgrimage across Switzerland, he decided to find a place of his own where he could become the hermit he had always wished to be. Then, he stumbled across the incredible cave system above Lake Thun.
Unfortunately, the cave was already inhabited by a bloodthirsty dragon. According to legend, Beatus lifted his cross and invoked the spirit of the Holy Trinity to defeat the dragon and banish him from the caves and into Lake Thun, where it met a watery demise and caused the water to boil. Beatus lived the rest of his days in the caves as a hermit.
Exploring The Caves
While much of the St. Beatus cave system remains undiscovered, a large portion is open to the public. Scientists have mapped about 14km of the caves, and visitors can explore over 1 km of the cave's interior with self-guided and guided tours available.
After entering the limestone caves, travelers can journey deep within the colorful limestone cliffs for an unforgettable adventure into a whole new world complete with underground rivers, massive underground waterfalls, huge grottos, and towering stalactites and stalagmites. It's a dream come true for geology lovers with tons of unique rock formations.
A cave tour takes around 75 minutes, and the pathways are accessible to various travelers with electric lighting throughout so that visitors can view the stunning interior with clarity. Along the way, 25 informational signs will give insight into the history and formation of the caves in both German and English.
How To Reach The Caves
Travelers can reach the entrance to St. Beatus Caves by car, bus, or boat from one of the neighboring villages surrounding Lake Thun. Upon arrival, the view that greets visitors is breathtaking. A towering cliff face with plummeting waterfalls is topped by a castle-like restaurant and visitor center that also serves as the entrance to the caves.
The rocky cliff is covered in wildflowers and beautiful greenery, depending on the season. The hike to the restaurant is all uphill and takes about 10-15 minutes. As the altitude increases, travelers can frequently stop at the many benches scattered along the path and take in the gorgeous views of Lake Thun below.
Once hikers reach the top, they'll enter the caves' panoramic restaurant and ticketing office. Weather permitting, the caves are open year-round, beginning at 9 am on weekdays, and 11 am on Saturday and Sunday. During the winter months, the caves close on weekends. The cost to enter is about 18 Swiss Francs, making this a great excursion for travelers who are visiting Switzerland on a budget.
Visiting Panoramic Restaurant
For fans of high fantasy, the panoramic restaurant perched on the cliffs at St. Beatus Caves might look familiar. They were the inspiration for JRR Tolkien's Rivendell - the mystical realm of elven royalty from the cult-classic Lord of the Rings series. The towering structure atop the green cliffs and plummeting waterfalls feature huge dome-shaped open-air windows overlooking the magical lake below.
Tolkien visited St. Beatus caves when he was just 19 years old in 1911. Forty years before he wrote his epic masterpiece, he was inspired by his trip to Switzerland. In a letter to his son from the 1950s Tolkien wrote, "From Rivendell to the other side of the Misty Mountains…the journey…including the glissando down the slithering stones into the pine woods…is based on my adventures in Switzerland in 1911."
Visitors can experience the magic that influenced Tolkien in his youth with a one-of-a-kind dining experience at the panoramic restaurant Stein & Sein - located at the entrance to St. Beatus caves. It's the perfect place to relax and unwind after your cave tour while enjoying the views. The menu includes local and seasonal ingredients and traditional Swiss cuisine.
Travelers visiting the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland shouldn't miss a trip to the epic St. Beatus Caves. It's well worth a day trip from any neighboring villages to experience the incredible natural wonders up close and immerse oneself in legend and history. The immense cave system, breathtaking views of Lake Thun, and sparkling waterfalls make for a one-of-a-kind and unforgettable adventure.