By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 12th August 2024 | Updated: 29th November 2024
Any trip to Kandersteg isn’t complete without a hike to or from Oeschinensee. This beautiful bright blue alpine lake at 1578m in the mountains is stunning from every angle and the perfect place to visit for a trip into the mountains from the village of Kandersteg. So here is our guide on the Kandersteg to Oeschinesee hike:
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Region: Bernese Oberland
Address: Oschistrasse 50, 3718 Kandersteg
Kandersteg to Oeschinensee Hike Stats:
🥾 Distance – 4.8km (one way)
🥾 Elevation – ascent 430m / descent 17m (from Kandersteg to Oeschinensee)
🥾 Time – 1 hour 45 minutes plus one way depending on fitness and whether going up or down
🥾 Difficulty – Medium difficulty (not suitable for small children, strollers or wheelchair users – The hike from Oeschinensee cable car station to Oeschinensee can be used instead)
🥾 Condition – Mixed tracks with asphalt road / gravel track
When To Visit – Season Opening Times: In summer cable car from 08:30 to 18:00 / In winter cable car from 09:00 to 16:30
Extra information: www.oeschinensee.ch
Where Is Oeschinensee
Oeschinensee is located to the east of Kandersteg at an elevation of 1578m. Check out our map below with the locations of key things in and around Kandersteg and Oeschinensee.
Kandersteg To Oeschinensee Hike
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.
From Kandersteg Bahnhof you need to head through the village following signs to the cable car station, this should take you along Bundersrat Adolf Ogi-Strasse, which leads you to the entrance to the Oeschinensee cable car, car park and the start of the Via Alpine Route 1, which will take you up the mountain to Oeschinensee.
Following the Via Alpina Route 1 from Kandersteg up to Oeschinensee is the best way to hike up to the lake and has some truly incredible views. It is just under 5km and takes at least 1 hour 45 minutes depending on your fitness level. Going down this route is obviously much quicker, but you will need to be sure-footed as it can get a little slippery in places where the gravel track is particularly steep.
The path itself is easy to follow as there are no deviations from the route that you could accidentally end up on, (apart from right by Oeschinensee where there is a route up to the cable car mountain station, but this is signposted), and any closures or diversions are well signposted too. There was a diversion in place on our last couple of visits and you really couldn’t have missed them.
The trail starts quite steeply winding through woodland, (which is a welcome relief if it is a warm day!), up a gravel / rocky track. This track continues up towards Oeschinensee but begins to flatten out and open up to the views around halfway up. After this, the track gets a little steeper again but is now a tarmacked wider trail, which you then follow directly to Oeschinensee.
We recommend you download the Swisstopo app and the Switzerland Mobility app to help you plan your hike and so that you can follow the designated route plus any diversions easily. We regularly use them both to track and plan our hikes throughout Switzerland and they are great.
The map below shows the hiking route from Kandersteg to Oeschinensee as well as the route between Oeschinensee and the cable car mountain station. We have also marked up a few key locations around Oeschinensee and Kandersteg too, including water points, grillplatz and good swim locations.
Oeschinesee In Summer
Summer in Oeschinensee is full of incredible mountain experiences, from summer tobogganing / the mountain coaster, beautiful hiking trails to the lake and around the lake, and of course swimming, rowing and grilling in and around Oeschinensee. This UNESCO World Heritage Site gets understandably busy during the warmer months and nicer weather, but you can always find a good spot to relax with a picnic, take a dip, (in the freezing waters!), or just sit and take in the views with the friendly, albeit licky cows!
Oeschinensee In Winter
Winter in Oeschinensee is all about winter hiking trails, snowshoe trails, sledging, (wooden sledges can be hired from the mountain station), and, if the ice is thick enough at Oeschinensee then even an ‘Ice Walk’ on the lake itself. You can hike from the mountain cable car station to Oeschinensee or snowshoe from the valley cable car station up to Oeschinensee, (although this route in the winter is only recommended for experienced snowshoers). Just be sure to know the cable car operating times as you don’t want to be caught out up the mountain!
If you are looking for a one day Kandersteg itinerary then be sure to check out our blog post.
How To Get To The Kandersteg To Oeschinensee Hike
Kandersteg is really easy to get to by car and by public transport, we have done it both ways and we wouldn’t say one was better than the other, (unless you fancy taking a kip on the train!)
🚐 Basel to Kandersteg: 1 hour 50 minutes – 160km by car or 2 to 2.5 hours by train
🚐 Bern to Kandersteg: 1 hour – 63km by car or 1 hour by train
🚐 Geneva to Kandersteg: 2.5 hours – 225km by car or 3 to 4 hours by train
🚐 Lucerne to Kandersteg: 1 hour 45 minutes -115km by car or 2.5 hours by train
🚐 Zurich to Kandersteg: 2 hours – 175km by car or 2 to 2.5 hours by train
From the train station you then walk through the village and out along Bundersrat Adolf Ogi-Strasse to get to the bottom cable car station or start the hike up the Via Alpina 1. If you are using a car park instead then, just make your way towards the start of the Via Alpina 1.
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, as not only is this much safer, but if you don’t you could be fined. If the parking is full there are other parking options a little further out in the village.
How To Get To Oeschinensee Via Cable Car:
If you would rather hike down than up, (which is much nicer on the legs and we think you get better views on the way down anyway), then we would recommend taking the Oeschinensee cable car from Kandersteg up and then walking the short 30 minutes to Oeschinensee before following the above route back down to Kandersteg. We’ve done it this way a couple of times, and although it is mostly downhill hiking, it is still wonderful, I mean look at those views!
Cable car hours:
📍 08:30 – 18:00 early May to Mid-September
📍 08:30 – 17:00 Mid-September to early November
📍 09:00 – 17:00 End of November to Mid March
The cable car is out of service from Mid-March through to early May.
Cable car costs:
📍 Oeschinensee Cable Car One way – CHF 32 per adult, CHF 16 per adult with half tax / GA Pass / Swisspass and CHF 16 for children aged 6 to 15.
📍 With a Berner Oberland Pass, all public transport within the Berner Oberland is covered, 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.
📍 During the summer months there is often a combined ticket on offer as well – With the #MagicBlue Ticket you get discounted tickets for return cables cars to 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.
Facilities Along The Kandersteg To Oeschinensee Hike
Food: There are 4 locations that you can purchase food along the hike, one at the top cable car station, one at the Oeschinensee viewpoint, (which you pass after walking from the cable car station, but this is cash only) and two alongside the lake itself; Restaurant Oeschinensee and Berggasthaus Arva.
Water Filling Locations: There are water bottle filling stations in Kandersteg village, (a small fountain with a marmot sculpture) and at the top cable car station. We didn’t see any at either of the restaurants near Oeschinensee, but I’m sure you could ask them to fill your bottle if you are really short on water.
Toilets: There are toilets at the top and bottom cable car stations, at the lake edge and at the restaurants at the lake. There are no other restrooms anywhere else on the hike.
What To Bring To Oeschinensee
📍 Plenty of water – the Kandersteg to Oeschinensee hike is not a simple minimal elevation hike, so be sure to bring plenty water along that will keep you going both up and down – there are normally water fountains you can top up at in Switzerland, but there aren’t any up at the mountain lake.
📍 Picnic / BBQ stuff – there are plenty of grillplatz around the lake edge that can be used so why not bring a few hotdogs or burgers with you to cook up if the weather is good!
📍 Swimsuit / towel – again if the weather is good then you might well want to go for a dip in the lake, so be sure to bring swim stuff too. It is very cold, and rather deep, (56m at the deepest point), so be sure you are a confident swimmer before getting in!
Where To Stay Near Oeschinensee
There are plenty of accommodation options within the village of Kandersteg itself, (check out the map below for all the best deals), or if you would prefer camping then Camping Rendezvous at the lower Oeschinensee cable car station is another great place to stay.
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Kandersteg To Oeschinensee Hike FAQs
Can I swim in Oeschinensee?
You can swim in Oeschinensee assuming you are a confident swimmer as not only is it absolutely freezing most of the year, (which takes some getting used to, don’t just jump straight in that is how you can put your body into shock, especially if you are hot), but quite a few of the locations where you can get into the lake don’t have much shallow water before it just steeply drops off.
Can I bring my dog to Oeschinensee?
You can bring your dog to Oeschinensee just be mindful and keep it on a lead whilst around the lake edge as lots of others are likely to be enjoying a picnic or swimming, and don’t need a nosey dog coming up to them!
Can I drive to Oeschinensee?
The closest you can drive to Oeschinensee is to the cable car station in Kandersteg. There are no public roads up to the lake itself.
Do I have to book ahead to visit Oeschinensee?
You don’t have to book ahead to visit Oeschinensee, however if you pre-book your tickets for the cable car, (assuming you are using it), you won’t have to potentially queue to get your tickets when you get there – and the queues can get quite big on a nice day!
Is Oeschinensee accessible for wheelchairs and strollers?
Oeschinensee is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers only if you take the cable car both up and down. There is a short 30 minute walk on a gravel track from the cable car top station to the lake itself, which you will then have to do in reverse, or there is a mini train THING that you can take to and from the lake instead.
Can I store luggage somewhere?
There is luggage storage at both Kandersteg train station and at the bottom cable car station for Oeschinensee. Be sure to bring some coins with you if you want to use them, most have car payment options, but incase they don’t work for you it’s always good to have some cash handy.
Conclusion: Kandersteg to Oeschinensee Hike
So there you have our guide for the Kandersteg to Oeschinensee hike. This beautiful hike takes you from the quaint Kandersteg up to the stunning Oeschinensee, or in reverse, and is one hike you simply have to do if you are planning on visiting Kandersteg.
All Our Switzerland Content
Here are a few other articles you may find useful for planning your trip:
📍 The Best 1 Day Kandersteg Itinerary
📍 How To Visit Switzerland On A Budget
📍 Switzerland in Summer: Best Things To Do & Places To Go
📍 Switzerland in Autumn: Best Things To Do & Places To Go
📍 Switzerland in Winter: Best Things To Do & Places To Go
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.