Kandersteg Attractions
Kandersteg is a popular summer and winter resort in the Upper Kander valley of the Bernese Oberland. The village, with some attractive old peasants' houses and a small 16th C. church, spreads out along the meadows of the valley floor for almost 4km/2mi, enclosed by towering mountains. To the northeast is the jagged Birrenhorn (2,505 m/8,219ft), to the east the snow-capped Blümlisalp and the Doldenhorn, to the southeast the bare slopes of the Fisistöcke (2,947 m/9,669ft) and to the south, closing the valley, the rugged Gellihorn (2,289 m/7,510ft). At Eggenschwand, at the south end of the village, the Lötschbergbahn enters the Lötschberg tunnel, the third longest in the Alps (14.6km/9mi; cars carried).
Cableways & lifts
Cabin railroad from Eggenschwand to Beim Stock (1,837 m/6,027ft) on the Gemmiweg (six minutes); from there a chairlift (12minutes) to 1,947 m/6,388ft on Sunnbühl.
Chairlift from the mouth of the Oeschinental (five minutes from the church) to Oeschinen (1,700 m/5,578ft; nine minutes).
The Allmenalp cableway runs from Bütschels (10minutes from the church) to Allmenalp station (1,730 m/5,678ft) in five minutes.
Chairlift from the mouth of the Oeschinental (five minutes from the church) to Oeschinen (1,700 m/5,578ft; nine minutes).
The Allmenalp cableway runs from Bütschels (10minutes from the church) to Allmenalp station (1,730 m/5,678ft) in five minutes.
Winter sports
In Kandersteg there are some 13km/8mi of marked pistes for beginners and moderate skiers and 75km/47mi of cross-country tracks of varying difficulty. The facilities include a curling rink, an artificial ice rink and a toboggan run as well as ski schools.
Kandersteg Surroundings
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Gemmi pass - Driving (walking tour)
The Gemmi pass, at 7,599ft, provides incredible views of the Rhône valley and the Valais Alps.
Oeschinensee (lake)
The Oeschinensee (1,582 m/5,191ft) can be reached by a 1.25-hour walk from the Victoria Hotel up the valley of the Oeschinenbach, or by taking the chairlift to the Oeschinen station and walking down from there over the Im Lager meadows (extensive views: 30minutes).
The lake lies below the Blümlisalp, mirroring the mountain's rugged shape in its clear water, in a setting of majestic beauty.
The lake lies below the Blümlisalp, mirroring the mountain's rugged shape in its clear water, in a setting of majestic beauty.
Blue Lake - Breeding of St Bernard dogs
5km/3mi from Kandersteg lies the crystal-clear Blue Lake (trout farm, restaurant, breeding of St Bernard dogs), surrounded by a nature park covering 20 ha/49 acres.
Blümlisalp
From the Oeschinensee it is a 3.75-hour climb to the Blümlisalp hut (2,837 m/9,308ft) and a five-hour climb (with guide) to the summit of the Blümlisalphorn (3,664 m/12,022ft), the highest peak of the mighty Blümlisalp.
Guides
Guided tour available as optional extra.
Lake Oeschinen
The lake can be reached from the lower chairlift station near Kandersteg. After a 7 minute chairlift, take a road leading to the lake shore. The lake is surrounded by cliffs and the Blülisalp Peaks.
Hikers can also take the direct road to the lake from Kandersteg.
Hikers can also take the direct road to the lake from Kandersteg.
Attractions in Other Popular Destinations
