By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 12th August 2024 | Updated: 29th November 2024
Kandersteg is one of those places in Switzerland that is either high on someone’s list of places to go, or completely unknown. But let us tell you, that Kandersteg is most definitely worth a visit, even if only for a day. From the quaint village with alpine streams running through it to the towering peaks that surround it, the unbelievably blue lakes and of course the friendly local cows, what is there not to like?
So here is our one day Kandersteg itinerary, which is perfect for those wanting to see the best that Kandersteg has to offer, but are short on time:
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Kandersteg Itinerary Map
1 Day Kandersteg Itinerary
Start the day off early with a wander through Kandersteg village. If you are arriving by public transport then you will start at the Kandersteg Bahnhof, if you are arriving by car then you can either park at the Bahnhof or Sesslbahnstrasse in the village or at the bottom of the cable car to Oeschinensee, (if you do this then you can visit the village at the end of the day instead).
Car park costs:
📍 Oeschinensee gondola car park cost: CHF 8 for up to 12 hours
📍 Kandersteg Bahnhof / Parkplatz Kandersteg Gemeindehaus at Sesselbahnstrasse cost: from CHF 6 per day
Make sure to park in designated spaces not just at random locations along the road or you can be fined. If the parking is full there are other parking options a little further out in the village.
Be sure to stop by Bäckerei-Tea Room Marmotte for a bite to eat for breakfast/brunch, or just to grab a pastry or two for your walk. They have a small garden that you can sit in out the back with views up to the surrounding mountains if you do choose to get breakfast in there – the Frühstück sets are great.
Once you have wandered through the village you want to head up through the fields following the Bundersrat Adolf Ogi-Strasse between Aussere Dorfstrasse and the entrance to the Oeschinensee cable car, car park. Here you get a true glimpse of where you will be heading and the surrounding mountains around Oeschinensee, your next destination.
How To Get From Kandersteg To Oeschinensee
There are two ways of getting from Kandersteg to Oeschinensee, either by the Oeschinensee cable car then a short mostly downhill walk, or via a longer and more difficult mostly uphill walk via the Via Alpine Route 1, (this one is not child-friendly). The cable car to Oeschinensee route is roughly 2km / half an hour walk on gravel tracks, then a short steep downhill walk, (or more like a scramble!), through some woodland to the lake edge. The Via Alpina Route 1 from Kandersteg up to Oeschinensee is just under 5km via gravel / rocky / paved tracks and takes at least 1 hour 45 minutes depending on your fitness level.
We’ve always opted to take the cable car up then walk to Oeschinensee via the gravel tracks then head back down into Kandersteg via the Via Alpina rather than the other way around, purely as you get better views that way, and it is less tiring on the legs! We have a more detailed post going into the Kandersteg to Oeschinensee hike here.
Be sure to check that the hiking trails are open before you set off, and before you buy cable car tickets, in case there is a route that you intended to do that is shut. On our most recent visit a route was closed off due to the likelihood of rockfall, which we actually witnessed whilst hiking down to Kandersteg, so please heed the signs and don’t try to hike on closed paths even if they look fine.
Oeschinensee is one of the most beautiful lakes in Switzerland, with brilliant blue waters, cascading waterfalls and a friendly cow or two! It can get a little busier during the warmer months, or on a particularly warm day, as not only is the lake wonderful to be next to and dipping in, (so don’t forget your swimsuit if it’s warm!), but there are a couple of mountain restaurants you can eat in as well as paddle boats that you can rent.
Oeschinensee cable car prices:
📍 One way – CHF 24 per adult, CHF 12 per adult with half tax / GA Pass / Swisspass and CHF 12 for children aged 6 to 15.
📍 Return – CHF 32 per adult, CHF 16 per adult with half tax / GA Pass / Swisspass and CHF 16 for children aged 6 to 15.
📍 If you have a Berner Oberland Pass, it includes all public transport within the Berner Oberland, which includes Kandersteg. So, if you are planning on spending a few days in and around Kandersteg, Interlaken, Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen be sure to get one.
📍 You can get a discounted ticket on the cable car if you get the #MagicBlue Ticket, which includes return cable car tickets for Oeschinensee, Allmenalp and Sunnbüel – CHF 62 per adult, CHF 43 per adult with half tax / GA Pass / Swisspass and CHF 30 for children aged 6 to 15.
Get your Oeschinensee cable car tickets here.
Oeschinesee During Summer
Oeshinensee is a very popular lake to visit in the summer, with plenty of picnic locations, grillplatz and of course for swimming in the wonderful blue alpine lake. That being said you can always find yourself a nice spot to relax. It can get quite warm during the summer months though, it is quite well-sheltered, so be sure to have plenty of water with you.
Oeschinensee During Winter
During winter Oeschinensee often completely freezes over allowing you to follow an ice hike across the lake itself. Even if it hasn’t frozen then the surrounding mountains will be covered in snow so will be beautiful. If you do choose to visit Oeschinensee in winter be mindful that the hiking trails may only be back and forth to the cable car as the other routes are often cut off or too dangerous to hike.
From Oeschinensee you make your way back to Kandersteg village, via the hiking trail Via Alpina Route 1, which is what we would highly recommend, (assuming you are comfortable with heights and some steeper downhill walking), or via the cable car, (for this you can just retrace your steps back to the cable car station. The hike down takes roughly 4.5km / 1 hour 30 minutes with plenty of photo stops, and the cable car down is around half an hour from the lake.
We got into much more detail on the hiking trail from Oeschinensee to Kandersteg / vice versa, over in another blog post, so be sure to check that out if you would like to walk this route.
Depending on the time of day you arrive back in the village / your fitness level, you can also hike out to Blausee from within Kandersteg, following along this route. This takes around 1 hour 30 minutes / 5.2km and follows along the riverbed, so only do if there are no flood warnings in place. You can check them and any Swiss weather via the Meteo Swiss App, which is a great app to have for your time in Switzerland.
You can also drive to Blausee and park at the designated car park for the lake, but this can get full very quickly during the peak season and it is often recommended to arrive via public transport from Kandersteg or Fruitgen. Get tickets for entrance into Blausee here.
Where to eat in Kandersteg
📍 Bäckerei-Tea Room Marmotte
📍 Berghotel Oeschinensee Restaurant
📍 Belle Epoque Hotel Victoria
Where to stay in Kandersteg
We haven’t actually stayed in Kandersteg, as it is so easy for us to visit as a day trip from Basel. However, we have heard great things about Camping Rendevous, (just be sure to ring in advance and check if there is space in the high season), which is located at the bottom of the Oeschinensee cable car, and Belle Epoque Hotel Victoria. Check out the map below for the best deals:
Planning your own trip to Switzerland? Be sure to download Wise by far the best currency conversion app around. We use it daily living on the border of two countries and it is a game changer when travelling!
Kandersteg Itinerary FAQs
How to get to Kandersteg
You can easily get to Kandersteg by car or by public transport from throughout Switzerland. It takes us roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to drive from Basel to Kandersteg, and a similar amount of time on the train.
🚐 Kandersteg from Basel: 1 hour 50 minutes / 160km by car or 2 to 2.5 hours by train
🚐 Kandersteg from Bern: 1 hour / 63km by car or 1 hour by train
🚐 Kandersteg from Geneva: 2.5 hours / 225km by car or 3 to 4 hours by train
🚐 Kandersteg from Lucerne: 1 hour 45 minutes / 115km by car or 2.5 hours by train
🚐 Kandersteg from Zurich: 2 hours / 175km by car or 2 to 2.5 hours by train
How to get around Kandersteg
Kandersteg is so small that you can easily get around on foot, this is also the best way to take in the views and potentially get away from more of the crowds, (this is especially true on the route to and from Oeschinensee where you will find a lot of tourists taking the quick route or on the mini train).
When to visit Kandersteg?
Kandersteg is one place that is great to visit throughout the year, with the incredible views changing with the seasons. The hiking trails can be a little trickier in the winter months, (but that being said there were a couple of closures in the summer months this year due to rockfall), but the opportunity to see Oeschinensee frozen over makes it worth it. You can even hike out across the lake if it is frozen thickly enough!
How many days do you need in Kandersteg?
Honestly, you can see the village of Kandersteg and do a hike, either to Blausee or Oeschinensee in one day. It is not a large place to visit so it makes it a great place for a day trip from various locations across Switzerland – we’ve actually visited it as a day trip from Basel a few times!
Is Kandersteg worth visiting?
100%, Kandersteg is worth visiting, especially if you want a relaxing day with a bit of adventure thrown in. Who doesn’t want to hike to a bright blue lake for a swim and to meet the local, (very licky), cows?!
What is Kandersteg known for?
Kandersteg is primarily known for its lakes, Oeschinensee and Blausee and quaint village centre. It is also known as one of the best locations for Scouting in Switzerland, with a large campground that regularly holds international events.
Is Lake Oeschinen worth it?
Lake Oeschinen or Oeschinensee is definitely worth it, even if just for the views of the surrounding mountains. It is also a haven for those who have brought a picnic, and is a great place to swim if you can brave the cold waters!
How long to spend at Oeschinen Lake?
A couple of hours is all you need at Oeschinensee, which is plenty of time to take in the view, have a bite to eat and take a dip in the lake.
Conclusion: One Day Kandersteg Itinerary
So there is how to spend a day in Kandersteg, a perfect relaxing Kandersteg itinerary, that is ideal if you want to see the best that Kandersteg has to offer. From the village of Kandersteg to Oeschinensee or Blausee, a day in Kandersteg is a day well spent.
All Our Switzerland Content
Here are a few other articles you may find useful for planning your trip:
📍 Kandersteg to Oeschinensee Hike
📍 How To Visit Switzerland On A Budget
📍 Is Switzerland Worth Visiting & When: By A Local
📍 The Perfect Lauterbrunnen Itinerary: 1 to 5 Days
📍 Grindelwald Or Lauterbrunnen: Which Is Better To Visit
Gemma Tedaldi
Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.