Adelboden is a mountain village and a municipality in Switzerland, located in the Frutigen-Niedersimmental administrative district in the Bernese Highlands.

Adelboden lies in the west of the Bernese Highlands, at the end of the valley of the river Entschlige (High German: Engstlige), which flows in Frutigen into the Kander.

Adelboden is a traditional Swiss mountain village on a terrace looking south to the Engstligen waterfalls.

Also part of the village are the inhabited valleys of Gilbach, Stigelschwand, Boden, Hirzboden, and Ausserschwand.

The vegetation is alpine and sub-alpine, partially wooded, the slopes, the plateaus, and terraces usually alp meadows.

[5] The blazon of the municipal coat of arms is Argent on a Mount Vert an Eagle displayed Sable beaked, langued and membered Gules.

[7] The alps Engstligenalp and Silleren belonging to Adelboden first appeared in historical records in the 13th century.

In the 15th century, Adelboden established its own church and there were over 50 house fathers vouching for the salary of the minister.

Prior to the 19th century, the primary method of reaching Frutigen was by travelling along the steep southern south slope of the Engstligen Valley, a journey that was often rendered impassable in winter months.

However, in the late 19th century, a road was constructed along the river Entschlige, improving accessibility and connecting the town of Adelboden to the rest of the world.

This was accompanied by a significant increase in the town's population, thanks to the influx of tourists around the turn of the century.

Adelboden was the destination of the first packaged winter sports holidays (vacations), organised by Sir Henry Lunn in 1903.

During World War Two, Adelboden was an internment camp with converted chalets and hotels used to house internees.

Adelboden was chosen because it was isolated, surrounded by mountains and so relatively hard to escape from.

[8] Internees included British, German, Polish, Russian, Czech, and French combatants.

[9] Cultural events include: Adelboden has a population of 3,343 (as of December 2020[update]).

In addition, 29 people reported speaking French, while Italian and Romansh were cited by 17 and 6 individuals, respectively.

[16] Adelboden has a mixture of agriculture, local industry (wood building companies, mineral water source) and tourism.

In the tertiary sector; 214 or 23.7% were in wholesale or retail sales or the repair of motor vehicles, 123 or 13.6% were in the movement and storage of goods, 370 or 41.0% were in a hotel or restaurant, 12 or 1.3% were in the information industry, 12 or 1.3% were the insurance or financial industry, 24 or 2.7% were technical professionals or scientists, 40 or 4.4% were in education and 42 or 4.7% were in health care.

[12] From the 2000 census[update], 221 or 6.1% were Roman Catholic, while 2,406 or 66.2% belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church.

There are 200 km (125 mi) of summer hiking trails, from sedate walks to alpine climbing routes.

Additional activities are: numerous mountain bike routes; and model aircraft construction on Hahnenmoospass with a workshop, and wind and landing opportunities.

In recent years, the story of a mythical medicine woman named Vogellisi has increasingly been adopted as the symbol or mascot for a variety of touristic activities and souvenirs.

Sunshine peaks during summertime though Adelboden is very cloudy year round, especially during winter.

This is followed by three years of obligatory lower Secondary school where the students are separated according to ability and aptitude.

Following the lower Secondary students may attend additional schooling or they may enter an apprenticeship.