Holidays in Kandersteg

Traditional Swiss village charm meets dramatic views, clear blue lakes and bucket-list Alpine walking trails on a summer holiday to Kandersteg

With an “off the beaten track” feel, if you’re looking for unspoilt, traditional Swiss village charm, outstanding Alpine walking and the wow factor, then book a summer holiday to Kandersteg. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, don’t let the peaceful village atmosphere deceive you because there’s a ton of things to do here - over 550 kilometres of walking paths, picturesque mountain lakes and passes and lots for the adrenaline junkies.

A summer holiday in Kandersteg: exploring the area

Kandersteg is everything you expect from a pretty Swiss village with traditional wooden chalets, brightly coloured flower boxes and a 16th Century church. Grab a morning coffee in one the cafés before wandering the streets - look out for the stunning engraved façade of Landgasthof Ruedihus, a hotel and restaurant that is 250 years old and the Ricola Herb garden. Then head out of the village to Blausee nature park and museum and experience the clear lake waters in a glass-bottom boat.

Visit Lake Oeschinensee - A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Prepare for jaw dropping beauty! With its crystal-clear turquoise waters and the mountains in the background, Lake Oeschinensee is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Alps and makes for some amazing photos! Hire a rowing boat and drift lazily from the shore, linger lakeside for something to eat in one the restaurants or huts, or try the 750 metre toboggan run with a drop of 150 metres! There's some beautiful walking up here too - take one of the higher trails towards Unterbergli or Oberbergli mountain huts to enjoy spectacular views of the lake from above.

Walking in Kandersteg: Alpine passes and trails

Get off the tourist trail and discover traditional villages and the vast undeveloped landscape of the Lötschen Valley. But you don’t have to go far to go big, and in Kandersteg you can also enjoy gentle walking along the River Kander or a visit to the Gasterntal - a glacier valley with vast waterfalls, wildlife and forests.

Follow in the footsteps of Picasso and Sherlock Holmes as you explore the Gemmi Pass under the watchful eyes of Mount Matterhorn and Monte Rosa. The views are amazing! Or tick off a bucket-list walk and complete a section of the famous Via Alpina long distance walking trail.

Active holidays in Kandersteg

For the bold, the Allmenalp Via Ferrata is a grade K4 climb on the outskirts of Kandersteg, which crosses a river and waterfalls, rewarding your hard work and courage with stunning views. Or take your bike up to the Sunnbüel by cable car - there's an exhilarating downhill trail that will get the adrenaline pumping. And don’t forget to have a go on the summer mountain toboggan or paragliding over the mountains. It doesn’t get much more wow factor than that!

Why book a summer holiday in Kandersteg with Inghams?

At Inghams, we do walking holidays differently. With no fixed itinerary, you have more time in your destination and the freedom to walk as much or as little as you like, discovering some of Kandersteg’s best walking routes and activities at your own pace.

With over 85 years of outdoor travel experience, our holiday packages to Kandersteg include flights, transfers, and accommodation, so you can relax and leave the small details to us. Our experts can help you choose the best holiday for you, and our team overseas can give you the inside scoop on how to spend your time away with us.

Added value

Half price rail, bus and boat travel with the Swiss Half Fare Card (worth over £100 per person)

Free use of village buses - with guest card (issued locally)

Free travel on Swiss Transport Network for children up to 15 years incl.

Hotels in Kandersteg

  • from£819pp
  • @accommodation.PropertyRating

    3.5 Rating

    We rate all of our accommodation based on their facilities, service level, character and customer feedback. Our ratings may vary from the official star rating.

  • 42 rooms
Hotel Bernerhof, Kandersteg, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland - hotel exterior.jpg

Located in the centre of Kandersteg, Hotel Bernerhof offers modern comforts in traditional alpine style. A favourite with guests, who often return year-after-year to enjoy the welcoming hospitality, excellent food, and a comfrotable and convenient base.

  • from£889pp
  • @accommodation.PropertyRating

    3.5 Rating

    We rate all of our accommodation based on their facilities, service level, character and customer feedback. Our ratings may vary from the official star rating.

  • 30 rooms
Pool2013

This family-run hotel offers an at-home atmosphere and is a great option for families. Each carefully-decorated room has a unique character, and the pretty gardens, small spa, and indoor pool are perfect for relaxing after a day exploring this beautiful region.

  • from£919pp
  • @accommodation.PropertyRating

    4.5 Rating

    We rate all of our accommodation based on their facilities, service level, character and customer feedback. Our ratings may vary from the official star rating.

  • 40 rooms
Doldenhorn Kandersteg Bedroom (1)

A quiet retreat on the outskirts of Kandersteg village that offers a perfect place to relax. Take time out in the beautiful spa, enjoy the peaceful location, and still be within easy reach of walking trails, mountain adventures, and public transport links.

Swiss Half Fare Card

The Swiss transport network is an excellent combination of trains, mountain railways, cable-cars, boats and buses that make it a pleasure to get around and explore at your own pace. 

Swiss Half Fare Card included for all Inghams guests

The Swiss Half Fare Card is included in the price of your holiday and is sent to you as part of your rail transfer tickets. This card can be used around Switzerland for up to 50% discount on various modes of transport - so make sure you keep it with you. It also gives free travel to children from 6 to 15 years old, when accompanied by a parent with the Family Card.

Bernese Oberland Pass - pre-bookable

Bernese Oberland Pass - pre-bookable

The Bernese Oberland Pass offers fantastic value and includes:

  • Travel by train, bus and boat throughout the Bernese Oberland
  • Travel on over 25 mountain cable cars including the Oeschinensee, Sunnbüel and Allmenalp lifts
  • Boat trips on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz
  • Discounts at various partner locations

Supplements apply to get to the top of the Schilthorn and Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe. 

Inclusions are subject to change. Please note that we act at all times as selling agent for the suppliers of activities & excursions.

Things to do

Kandersteg Village

Despite its small size, Kandersteg packs a punch, and a summer holiday will be full of pleasant surprises. The charming town, with River Kander flowing through its centre, is surrounded by mountains on almost all sides - there's only two ways in and one is via a train through a mountain. Head into the Kandersteg Museum to learn a bit about the town's history, from its scouting past, to the history of the Swiss Cableways. Keep a look out for the Ricola herb garden where herbs are grown for the famous Swiss Ricola sweets. You can also try a game of bowls, take a dip in the outdoor village pool or if the weather's bad, head to the indoor climbing wall.

Visit Oeschinensee - a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The striking bright-blue lake that puts Kandersteg on the map - you can't holiday in Kandersteg and not visit Oeschinensee. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the forests and along the lake edge, take a (chilly!) wild swim or relax with a drink in one of the mountain huts. Or, you can really push the boat out... literally. A small fleet of rowing boats wait on the shore, ready to explore the water - this is the perfect photo opportunity.

Sunnbüel Cable Car

It's worth the ride for the view from the lift alone - jaw-dropping beauty as you look down on the Gasterntal remote valley and Kandersteg village. From the top, a leisurely loop will take you to the pretty little mountain lake of Arvenseeli, or for a longer hike you'll be at Daubensee in around two hours - another hour and you'll get to enjoy the view from the historic Gemmi Pass viewing platform above the village of Leuk. 

Adventures on the Allmenalp

You can catch the lift up, or if you like a challenge and have a good head for heights (and via ferrata experience) the Allmenalp Via Ferrata is one of Switzerland's most famous climbs, following a metal ropeway of iron pegs and swing bridges hundreds of metres above the ground, plus a suspended ladder - this isn't for the faint-hearted. Opt for the lift for a much more leisurely ascent, and be rewarded with spectacular views and the cutest of mountain huts where the beer fridge is an old wooden trough filled with ice-cold water and classic mountain refreshments (you'll need cash to buy them, though).

Blausee - the deep blue lake

Hidden in the forest, the deep blue lake of Blausee was formed by a huge rockfall 15,000 years ago and is now part of Blausee Nature Park, where you can switch off and enjoy some time in nature. Take a peaceful wander round the lake and woodland paths, or head out onto the water on a glass-bottomed rowing boat. There's a gourmet restaurant for refreshments and a play area for the kids, too.

Gasterntal Remote Valley

There's a reason the Gasterntal is remote - the only way in by road is a single track, gravel road cut into the rock - this is spectacular mountain engineering at its most authentic. Once you're in the Gasterntal, steep valley sides rise from the gentle valley floor, showing its glacial history. It's a beautiful place to come for easy strolls and gentle bike rides, and there's plenty of exciting walks up higher too.

Visit Interlaken and Lakes Thun and Brienz

Explore a little further afield with a day trip to Interlaken - known as the adventure capital of Europe, there's plenty to do here. Take a lunchtime cruise on Lake Thun, or head up to the Harder Kulm viewing platform for views over the town and two lakes. Try some chocolate making at the Funky Chocolate Club or get involved in the adventure with some white-water rafting, kayaking on the lake or a paraglide. For a more relaxing day, there are plenty of cafés to enjoy the bustling atmosphere, or you can do a hop-on-hop-off style cruise and visit other beautiful spots on the lake like Thun or Speiz. 

Good to know

Walking trails: Around 550km of walking trails and easy access to lifts

Terrain: Diverse mountainous terrain from flat valley floors to dense forests and rugged peaks of the Bernese Alps

Best time to go: end of May to mid October. It can get hot in July and August but heading up the lifts is a great way to cool off

Recommended for: Challenging walking, nature

Fly into: Geneva or Zurich (approx. 2 hours)

Transfer time: approx. 2 hours 45 mins (from Zurich) or 3 hour (from Geneva) by train (journey will require changes of train)

Rep service: Telephone

Resort card: Swiss Half Fare Card included for all hotels - travel passes are available to pre-book

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