St. Beatus Caves
Beatenberg, Switzerland
Caves above Lake Thun where legend says St. Beatus drove out a dragon, with waterfalls at the entrance and lit halls inside. Parking is on the lake road below.
The St. Beatus Caves are a show cave above Lake Thun near Beatenberg in the Bernese Oberland. According to legend a fire-breathing dragon lived in the rock; St. Beatus drove it out with the cross, and the dragon leapt into the lake. Showcaves notes hundreds of versions of the tale, and Daniel Agricola published a well-known one in 1511. The cave is mentioned in connection with pilgrimages in 1231; in 1528 Bern had it closed and the chapel destroyed. It was opened as a show cave in 1903/04.
The cave system is almost 12 kilometres long (11,938 m) and the temperature is 8 to 10 °C, so bring warm clothes. The tour is self-guided, about one kilometre long and takes around 50 minutes. Photography is allowed, tripods are not; the cave is not wheelchair accessible. Outside, bridges and paths pass waterfalls, and a small museum shows finds and caving history.
From the car park on the access road it is about a ten-minute walk to the cave. Showcaves gives the season as April to October; please check times and prices (the information dates from 2022) with the operator in advance.
- Nearest town
- Beatenberg, Switzerland
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 46.6880, 7.7950
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Switzerland: Vignette needed for motorways. Vehicles over 3.5 t pay the heavy vehicle charge instead of the vignette. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
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- TCS Camping Thunersee - GwattCampsite13 km from St. Beatus CavesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- FrutigresortCampsite15 km from St. Beatus CavesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- GrassiCampsite17 km from St. Beatus CavesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
All campsites in Switzerland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is St. Beatus Caves?
St. Beatus Caves is in Beatenberg, Switzerland, at GPS 46.6880, 7.7950. It is about 5 km from Interlaken.
Can you camp near St. Beatus Caves?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping Wang, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 60 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass St. Beatus Caves?
St. Beatus Caves is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Lakes Thun and Brienz to the Grimsel Pass.
What is there to see near St. Beatus Caves?
Places worth a stop nearby: Oberhofen Castle (11 km), Trümmelbach Falls (13 km), Iseltwald (14 km) and Lauterbrunnental (14 km).
When is the best time to visit St. Beatus Caves?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)