The Wildpark Brienz is a small animal park in Brienz open 24/7, all year round, and it’s free to visit. You can find deer, ibex, chamois, and birds there, all nestled amidst tall trees in a forest. It’s just a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute drive from Brienz village.
The Brienz Game Park was established in 1896 through the efforts of the local Woodcarving School (Schnitzerschule Brienz) to help students have real-life models while carving. In 1920, the Verein Wildpark Brienz was founded to support it. The park has been maintained thanks to the dedication of volunteers and generous donors.1
The park’s compact size and friendly animals make it perfect for young children to explore. It offers a cozy atmosphere and a safe, natural environment for Alpine animals. Families, nature lovers, and animal enthusiasts alike enjoy visiting the park. They can take a leisurely walk, enjoying the peaceful forest and observing the animals.
Wildpark Brienz: What to Expect
Animals to See
In this small game park, there are only a few enclosures, each with several animals inside. I felt the fences were a bit small, but the animals seemed healthy and friendly.
You’ll find the following animals in Wildpark Brienz:
- Alpine Ibexes
- Alpine Chamois
- Marmots
- Deer
- Snowy owl
Animal Feeding
At Wildpark Brienz, visitors can buy food for the animals by dropping 1 Swiss franc in a slot and returning the empty box. This hands-on activity is fun and educational for both kids and adults.
You can usually feed the deer, and they’re friendly and used to visitors feeding them, so don’t worry. If the animals want food, they’ll come closer to you, but if they don’t, they’ll move away. Just remember, you’re not allowed to feed the birds.
Expect a Brief Excursion
The animal park is on the smaller side with limited amenities—there are no restaurants, only a small compost toilet available. A visit typically takes around 20 minutes to see everything, though you might want to plan for extra time if you want to feed the animals more.
I recommend hiking from Brienz and leaving your car there since there’s no parking at the Wildpark. There’s only enough room for 2 cars along the side of the road. Besides, it’s a good workout; you can also enjoy fantastic views of Lake Brienz, especially on the way down.
How to Get to Wildpark Brienz
Wildpark Brienz is nestled near the village of Brienz, Switzerland, just a short distance from the picturesque Lake Brienz. Visitors can easily access it by car, a 5-minute drive from the village center, or opt for a scenic 20-minute uphill walk.
| Address | Talstrasse 57 3855 Brienz |
| Train | Brienz (20-minute walk) |
| Bus | Brienz BE, Dindlen (15-minute walk) |
| Ferry | Brienz (21-minute walk) |
Ticketing and Hours
Wildpark Brienz is open year-round. Visitors can experience the changing seasons and the different behaviors of the animals throughout the year.
It is also free of charge. However, donations are appreciated (look for the QR codes or visit the website here) and go towards maintaining the animal enclosures or food.
Final Thoughts: Wildpark Brienz
Even though it’s smaller and has fewer animals than bigger wildlife parks like Langenberg near Zurich or Lange Erlen in Basel, Wildpark Brienz still charms visitors with its friendly animals. We loved feeding the animals, enjoying the stunning views of Lake Brienz, and the park’s pleasant atmosphere amidst trees.
For parking, it’s best to park near the train station, like Parkplatz der Rothorn-Bahn, for easy access to the park and other attractions nearby. Overall, Wildpark Brienz offers a delightful nature experience in Switzerland. Best of all, it is free to visit!
If you’re looking to see more Alpine Ibex in their natural surroundings, I strongly suggest visiting the Alpine Ibex Promenade in Pontresina where you can observe them roaming freely without any barriers.
Resources
- 1 Wildpark Brienz. www.wildparkbrienz.ch.
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Darla is the owner of TouringSwitzerland.com. Her home is in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Having lived almost 20 years in Switzerland, she's traveled extensively all over the country. Darla's favorite regions to visit in Switzerland include Engadin, Lake Geneva, Bernese Oberland, Ticino, and Valais. She loves spending time with her family, hiking, visiting museums, and reading books.