Here is the third part of the journey of the longest river in Switzerland – the Aare. As the glacial ice melts the water then speeds through the Aare Gorge (Aaereschlucht) and empties into the waters of Lake Brienz.
The Aare then splits Interlaken and Underseen crossing then she (not to seem 
sexist … is a river considered masculine or feminine?) pours into Lake Thun. On the northern banks of the lake where the Aare exits the Thunersee stands the beautiful city of Thun.
You can see the magnificent Thun Castle.
***It’s kind of old – built in the 1100’s – that’s 300 years before Columbus sailed the ocean blue or the Vikings or whoever landed on the shores of North America ***
The castle overlooks the city and across the lake. As you begin entry to Thun the Schloss Schadau stands along the river – the second Thun castle.
You can get a good look at the entire area from the top of Thun Castle. It’s a very impressive panorama.
Although I am biased (well, I do live here a few months of the year) it is a really beautiful place.
It is also home to the Thun Tigers American Football Club which plays its home game in one of the best stadiums I have ever seen. The Lachen Stadium … right on the lake itself. Throughout the country it is considered the most attractive place to watch sporting events.
Outstanding game day experience. Definitely one of the best places to watch football. The view of the mountains – the lake and beach. A great place to spend a weekend afternoon!
Thun’s total population is around 80,000 when you consider the outside villages and municipalities (11thlargest in Switzerland). With its first-class public transportation, you can use a bus or train to get anywhere in the Thun area in a short period of time.
Thun also houses a large Swiss army garrison…which specializes in training tank crews I think. There is certainly a significant army presence on the one side of the town.
In this part of the canton of Bern and you look out towards the southern end of lake Thun you can see the beginnings of the impressive Bernese Alps. From here you can get to various other villages and towns that have great sight-seeing, hiking and winter sports.
I’m not a skier because it looks dangerous to me. But, friends who do this assure me it’s great and exhilarating! Fantastic time!
Then they explain to me how they broke their ankle or ruined a knee on a ski slope. Not so fast Kemosabe – I’ll stay off of those ski’s and sit at the lodge in front of the fire looking up the hill (in Michigan) or mountain (in Switzerland) with a beer in my hand.
Here in Thun I have lived in a few different areas. The first few times I stayed in Gwatt (where I consider myself the mayor … hah – that’s what I tell my Swiss friends anyway!). I’ve also lived in Lerchenfeld and now in the pretty village of Uetendorf.
They are each all a little different. But equally as attractive.
It’s hard to find anything wrong with the city … it’s vibrant without being crowded and overrun. Plenty of nice places to eat, shopping is easy. Plus, you have the lake with the beach and boating opportunities with the mountains just a short distance away for winter sports.
It’s just a great place to be.
After the Aare runs through Thun it heads northwest towards Bern the capital city of Switzerland.
That’s – next up on the cities of the Aare.