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Looking for one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in Switzerland (and maybe the world)? Have you ever heard of Lake Oeschinen in Kandersteg? This lake is simply fantastic, nestling in a basin surrounded by shimmering turquoise 3000 metre peaks and watched over by the Blüemlisalphorn (3663m).
Lake Oeschinen is one of the few places in Switzerland that I have visited several times. After my first visit to Lake Oeschinen when I was ~15 years old during a scout camp in Kandersteg, I knew that I would want to go there again straight away, because the lake completely won over even a teenager who was difficult to enthuse. And so I’ve been there twice more in recent years and can now provide you with a very detailed guide.
Kandersteg – How to get to Lake Oeschinen
Lake Oeschinen is located above the village of Kandersteg in the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland. You can get to Kandersteg by car or comfortably by train. Coming from the south, you have to use the Lötschberg car train to reach Kandersteg by car; coming from the north (Bern / Austria), a normal main road leads to Kandersteg.
Tip: The village of Kandersteg is also very charming and well worth a short detour.
Kandersteg – Lake Oeschinen: Hiking or taking the gondola
From Kandersteg there are 2 options to get to Oeschinensee. On the one hand, you can hike uphill for about 500 metres, partly steeply, partly less steeply; on the other hand, there is the less strenuous option of the mountain railway, which takes you to the mountain station within 10 minutes. From the Oeschinen mountain station at 1682m, you then have to walk the short path to the lake (approx. 25 min, gravel road, suitable for pushchairs).
Tip: There is a beautiful, large waterfall along the way, which you can see from the cable car and from the hiking trail.
There are several car parks at the valley station of the cable car and you can also start the hike here. Alternatively, there is another car park further into the village from where you can also start the hike.
Lake Oeschinen
When I arrived at Lake Oeschinen, my reaction was that I was absolutely amazed by the turquoise colour and beautiful location. Another plus point: you can swim in the lake if you like cold water….. There are also many beautiful spots around the lake where you can always find groups spending the day. A circular hike around the lake is not possible due to the risk of falling rocks.
Hike up the Heuberg – for the most beautiful view of Lake Oeschinen
Now for the tour, which in my opinion is a must-do if you have 3 hours and a bit of energy left when you arrive at the lake – the hike up the Heuberg. This circular route leads either from the mountain station, keeping to the left, via the Läger to the Heuberg, or first to the lake to enjoy the peace and quiet in the morning and then following the path from there via the Läger to the Heuberg. The Heuberg lies at 1950 metres. The first ascent is a little steeper, but the view is worth it. Once you reach the Heuberg, the trail continues slightly downhill and slightly uphill to the Oberbärgli, where you can stop off at the catered hut. From here, the route descends quite steeply in serpentines to the lake and along the lake back to the mountain station. I would definitely recommend doing the tour in this direction (see map), as the descent here is really steep and I would prefer not to go uphill 😉 And let’s be realistic – the 3 hours will certainly stretch to 4 hours because you feel like you’re stopping every 2 metres to take a photo…
You can find a copy of the hiking map here (you’ll get the original one at the gondola station)
Overnight stay in the Fründenhütte near Lake Oeschinen
If you want to hike a lot of metres in altitude and sleep in a delightful little hut on the edge of the glacier, you can take the tour to the Fründenhütte. But beware: unfortunately, the rock here is crumbling and there is often a risk of rockfall and the route should not be underestimated – you are actually constantly climbing steeply uphill until you reach the hut. This is definitely not a hill hopper, but a real mountain tour. We spent the night in the Fründenhütte on my first visit to Kandersteg in 2006, so here are a few photos from back then.
Toboggan run at Lake Oeschinen
For action lovers, there is a toboggan run at the mountain station that is really fun. Definitely a recommendation from me. And here’s a wonderful photo I took of the toboggan run in 2006 😀
A few more impressions of Lake Oeschinen in Kandersteg
