The photograph above actually shows Spiez on the opposite side of the Thunersee. This may be a bit confusing since Spiez is on the southern shore but the shot is taken from the north side. The general style of mountain background is approximately similar on both sides, although that may be an unnecessarily obvious comment.

 

The north shore of the Thunersee features twice in the story although the precise locations are not pinned down. This is quite helpful in terms of providing reliable photography since Habkern and Beatenberg are actually a few kilometres apart but when it comes to fine literature, who's counting ? 

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If you want to progress around the northern shore of the Thunersee by land (both air and water are also possible), then you have three, principal options. You can hike, drive or get a bus along the shoreline at the bottom. You can also hike, drive or get a bus along the ridge which is some half to two thirds of the way up the mountainside. Alternatively, you can hike along the ridge at the top, going from the Niederhorn Alp to Habkern. You can't drive or get a bus along that one unless you own a four-wheel drive which James Bond would envy.

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Each episode in the book takes place around the middle route. That is also from where the photos here were taken. In the first instance, the adventurous trio learn how to paraglide under the care of a professional instructor. The idea is to learn how to paraglide in order to find a way down from the glacier later on. This is not something which is generally recommended. The second time around, Harris and Alice have evaded the attentions of the local police long enough to reach the ridge over the lake but Alice has to give Harris hell to ensure that he will stop complaining and reach the local railway station in time. They are supposed to descend to the lake shore in order to catch a boat over to Spiez and meet Jessica there. While their escape goes roughly according to plan, Jessica also reaches Spiez but in a much faster though less expected manner when her paddleboard becomes one of the speediest modes of transport on the lake.

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The north shore of the Thunersee is most definitely to be recommended to visitors. The views out over the lake are exceptionally beautiful and you can see all the way to the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau Alps. Behind the ridge is the Justistal valley which provides a nice walk and is actually relatively flat until you reach the pass at the end when it suddenly takes off like a Harrier jet whose pilot just realized that he's late for the squadron Christmas party. Behind the valley are passes into more valleys and so it's actually something of a hiking gateway. Definitely Jessica's kind of place. 

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Another interesting feature is the extended tunnel which connects the middle ridge to the mouth of the Justistal. This is an impressive feat of engineering but bear two things in mind if you're hiking. First, if it's a nice day outside, you're going to be blinded temporarily when you reach the other end and go from what feels like amateur pot-holing to blazing sunlight. Second, wear some sort of bright colour so the drivers who share the tunnel can see you. Otherwise you may not need to worry about reaching the other end.

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Overall, the north shore of the Thunersee is a great example of why Jessica loves the Alps so much in the story and it's wide open for any visitor who would like to go and see what she's talking about.

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