As the GoldenPass Line leaves Interlaken Ost it follows the northern shores of Lake Brienz, passing small villages of traditional wooden houses and chalet-style railway stations. We reach the delightful village of Brienz, renowned for its tradition of wood carving and making stringed instruments. On departing Brienz, try and catch a glimpse of the Giessbach Falls on the opposite shore before we leave the lake behind us and travel through a flat valley of orchards to the town of Meiringen.
From Meiringen, the GoldenPass Line begins the climb up the Aare Valley to the Brünig Pass and the summit station of Brünig Hasliberg at 3,307 feet (1,008m). We then begin our descent through a remote valley dotted with farms to the charming resort of Lungern, situated at the end of the Lungernsee. The train takes us past this lake, with its distinctive, almost turquoise waters, and then embarks on a steep descent to Giswil, which offers excellent views over another small lake, the Sarnersee.
After passing through the village of Sarnen, the GoldenPass Line continues to Alpnachstad and along the shores of the Alpnachersee; the sheer cliffs rising from the lake provide us with some spectacular scenery. From here we enter a tunnel and emerge on the shores of Lake Lucerne, continuing through the lakeside resort of Hergiswil to our destination, the beautiful city of Lucerne.