Holidays in Kandersteg

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

  • Take a rowing boat on the picturesque Lake Oeschinensee
  • Immerse yourself in nature on a wander through the remote valley of Gasterntal
  • Tuck into traditional mountain food at the Allmenalp Hut

With an “off the beaten track” feel, if you’re looking for unspoiled, 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 are 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 of 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 of 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 at 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 90 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)

Swiss Family Card Included - free travel for children under 16 on mainline trains/buses/boats in Switzerland when accompanied by a parent

Free use of village buses - with Kandersteg guest card (given by your hotel)

24/7 support & tailored advice in person or over the phone from our local resort team

All holidays include flights or trains from the UK and train transfers

Walking in and around Kandersteg

On an Inghams walking holiday, you have the freedom to explore the area at your own pace. Each day, a new adventure, with as much or as little walking as your like. 

Why we love walking in Kandersteg

There are over 550 kilometres of marked walking paths to explore in and around Kandersteg, parts of which belong to the UNESCO World Heritage Swiss Alps - Lake Oeschinen certainly lives up to this recognition with its shimmering blue mountain lake. It's not all about Oeschinensee though, there's a spectacular views at every turn in Kandersteg, and routes that suit all abilities. Getting to the best viewpoints is easy too, with three great lifts which open up the walking area. 

In your down time, there's plenty of other activities to enjoy, plus some of our hotels offer fantastic spas, perfect for rest and rejuvenation.

Getting around Kandersteg

Kandersteg and the surrounding area has a great network of buses and trains, plus a selection of mountain lifts, that make exploring the area really easy.

Lifts

There's three lifts from Kandersteg village up to different parts of the mountains.

  • Oeschinen (normally open mid-May - mid-Oct)
  • Allmenalp (normally open around 18 May - 20 Oct)
  • Sunnbüel (normally open end-May - mid-Oct)

You can buy lift tickets individually, or purchase a Magic Blue Pass which includes one ascent and descent on each lift. Alternatively, you can pre-book a Bernese Oberland Pass and enjoy unlimited use of all three lifts, and many others in the local area - see the "Cards & Passes" tab for further details on how to add this to your holiday.

If you're keen to explore more of the local area, there are further walker's lifts in Adelboden too.

Subject to change.

Buses

Local buses are included on the Kandersteg Guest Card (given to you by your hotel), enabling you to travel between Kandersteg, Frutigen, Adelboden and Reichenbach, free of charge - timetables and route maps are available locally.

Trains

The Swiss transport system makes getting around an absolute pleasure, and in addition to the buses and lifts, there's also a great network of trains so you can explore more of the area. It's easy to visit Interlaken or the Jungfrau by train, and we recommend pre-booking a Bernese Oberland Pass which includes lots of the trains, buses and cable cars in the Bernese Oberland area so you can really make the most of this beautiful part of Switzerland.

Our favourite walks in Kanderstag

Oeschinensee Circular Walk

  • Easy walk
  • 4km with around 110m ascent/descent
  • Expect to take around 1 hour or more if you spend longer at the lake

The beauty of Oeschinensee has to be seen to be believed - take a leisurely circular walk to the lake that's been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from the top of the Oeschinen gondola station. The direct path is suitable for all or you can take the narrower path to the lake via Läger. See the bright blue water and surrounding impressive mountain peaks - you can wander along the shore, enjoy the view from the restaurant terrace, picnic at one of the many grill spots near the water or even rent a rowing boat to get out on the water. If you do not wish to walk there is an e-shuttle bus that will take you back to the gondola station (runs around every 30 minutes, approx. CHF8 per person - people with reduced mobility and wheelchairs have priority).

Kandersteg to Blausee

  • Easy walk
  • 5km with around 20m ascent and 300m descent
  • Expect to take around 1.5 hours

A pleasant walk downhill to the Kandergrund valley through forest and meadows and along the River Kander. Blausee is an unrivalled natural wonder with its turquoise blue water of the crystal clear lake, the 20-hectare nature park has plenty to offer: an organic trout farm, exploring the lake from a glass bottomed boat, mystical walking trails, barbeque areas, picnic sites and a children’s play park.

Sunnbüel to Gemmipass

  • Moderate hike
  • 10km with around 545m ascent
  • Expect to take around 3 hours (one way)
  • Best June to October

This route follows the historic Gemmi Pass from Sunnbüel to Gemmi, past the natural mountain lake of Daubensee - enjoy spectacular views along the route through the Alpine meadows. After about three hours of beautiful walking, you'll reach the Gemmi Pass viewing platform - you can see the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa peaks from here. From Gemmi you have a few options, either return to Sunnbüel the same way you came, or head down to Leukerbad - the village in the valley - catch the Gemmi cable car down, but you will get a reduced fare with your Swiss Half Fare Card) or you can walk down the steep path (this is around 4.4km with 996 metres of descent). In Leukerbad, there's a thermal spa, and it will take around 3 hours to get back to Kandersteg via public transport (there's a bus from Leukerbad to Leuk, followed by a train via Brig to Kandersteg).

Kandersteg to Gasterntal

  • Moderate hike
  • 8km with around 475m ascent
  • Expect to take around 3 hours (or more depending how far into the Gasterntal you want to go)
  • Best June to October

An interesting walk from the village to the remote valley of Gasterntal, this route takes the mountain hiking route from Sunnbüel cable car base station, following the spectacular Kander river through the Klus gorge - you'll see the power of the water over the waterfalls. You'll pass through a wildlife reserve and steadily climb through the forest - when the valley opens out you'll be surprised by the vast mountain panorama. You can follow the gentle valley paths along the River Kander as far as you wish and can either return the same way or catch the bus back to Kandersteg (make sure you have a reservation - you could also do this route in the other direction, catching the bus to the Gasterntal and walking back to the village).

Kandersteg to Doldenhornhütte

  • Challenging hike
  • 9km with around 750m ascent/descent
  • Expect to take around 4 hours
  • Best June to October

This majestic mountain hike takes you high above the village, passing through pine forests to the picturesque mountain hut which offers spectacular views over the village and Oeschinensee. The route starts beside the Waldhotel Doldenhorn and climbs steeply through the forest to the hut located above the tree line. Return to Kandersteg via the path to Oeschiwald and follow the Oeschibach stream into the village centre.

You can view lots more recommended routes from Kandersteg Tourist Board.

Useful information & guidelines

Recommended equipment

Comfy walking boots, sun cream, insect repellent, waterproofs, a good rucksack and walking poles are useful for walking around Kandersteg. There are a few places to buy equipment in the village if necessary and you can rent poles from Grossen Sport (approx. CHF 6 per day).

Walking maps

For Kandersteg we recommend picking up a walking map from the tourist office in the village. The maps show the walking routes which are numbered and match the signposts around the area. They will have a key to help you understand the nature of the walk before you begin.

You can view lots more recommended routes from Kandersteg Tourist Board.

Walking guidelines

The mountains are a natural paradise, with lots to explore and discover. To help it stay that way, and remain an enjoyable and safe place for everyone, we recommend following our little list of do's and don'ts:

  • Plan your route well and don't overestimate yourself
  • Check the weather forecast
  • Tell someone where you're planning to walk and what time you're expecting to be back
  • Take all the recommended equipment
  • Make a note of emergency numbers:
    • Swiss Emergency Services: 144
  • Don't leave the marked trails or go onto a glacier without a guide
  • Let nature stay wild by not picking alpine flowers (it's illegal in some places) or getting close to/making contact with wild animals
  • Always leave gates as you found them
  • Leave no trace

Hotels in Kandersteg

  • from£869pp
  • @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£969pp
  • @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
Hotel Alfa-Soleil, Kandersteg, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland -Exterior.jpg

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£959pp
  • @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 Exterior (2)

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.

Travel information

All our holidays include return travel either by flight or train, and then a transfer between the airport or railway station and Kandersteg.

All departures are on Saturdays, Wednesdays or Fridays with stays from three - 14 nights.

On arrival into Kandersteg station, there will be a hotel shuttle or taxi to take you to your hotel.

Travel by air

Flights to Geneva or Zurich airports are available from eight UK airports.

Flights to Zurich:

Fly from

Days

Durations

Gatwick

Wed, Fri, Sat

3 - 14

Heathrow

Wed, Fri, Sat

3 - 14

London City

Wed, Fri

5, 7, 9, 12, 14

Birmingham

Fri

7, 14

Manchester

Wed, Fri

5, 7, 9, 12, 14

Transfer time from Zurich airport: approx. two hours 45 minutes by rail. Your journey involves one or two changes of trains.

Flights to Geneva:

Fly from

Days

Durations

Gatwick

Wed, Fri, Sat

3 - 14

Heathrow

Wed, Fri, Sat

3 - 14

Luton

Wed, Fri, Sat

3 - 14

Bristol

Fri, Sat

6, 7, 13, 14

Manchester

Wed, Fri, Sat

3 - 14

Edinburgh

Wed, Fri, Sat

3 - 14

Transfer time from Geneva airport: approx. three hours by rail. Your journey involves one change of trains.

On arrival into Kandersteg station there will be a hotel shuttle or taxi to take you to your hotel.

Flight supplements may apply and are based on seven nights of midweek/weekend departures. 

Travel by train

We offer holidays by train to Kandersteg, which depart on Saturdays for seven or 14 days. The journey takes around 14 hours from London St. Pancras and you'll be able to enjoy the change of scenery out of the train window as you journey through France and into the Alps of Switzerland.

The provisional outbound timings are:

Saturdays

Arrive

Depart

London St Pancras

-

07:01

Change at Paris

10:20 (Gare du Nord)

14:22 (from Paris Gare du Lyon)

Change at Basel

17:26

onward travel by train

Onward travel from Basel: the transfer from Basel to Kandersteg will be by train. The journey will take around two and a half hours and involves one or two changes of trains.

On arrival into Kandersteg station, there will be a hotel shuttle or taxi to take you to your hotel. 

For your return journey, you will travel back to Basel on Saturday morning by train. The journey takes around two hours and involves one or two changes of trains.

The provisional inbound timings from Basel are:

Saturdays

Arrive

Depart

Basel

travel to Basel by train

14:34

Change at Paris

17:38 (Gare du Lyon)

19:12 (Gare du Nord)

London St. Pancras

20:30

-

Swiss Half Fare Card - included

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 under 16 years old, accompanied by a parent with the Family Card.

Subject to change.

Bernese Oberland Pass - pre-bookable

Bernese Oberland Pass

The Bernese Oberland Pass is a great option for a Kandersteg holiday if you're wanting to use the local lifts more than once, or want to travel further afield. It includes:

  • Free travel on Oeschinen, Sünnbuel and Allmenalp lifts in Kandersteg
  • Free travel Adelboden - Engstligenalp
  • Free travel Adelboden - Sillerenbühl
  • Free travel Adelboden - Tschentenalp
  • Free travel Achseten - Elsigbach - Elsigenalp
  • Free travel Mülenen - Niesen Kulm
  • Boat trips on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz
  • Free travel on the Montreux-Oberland-Bahn all the way to Montreux (seat reservations are strongly recommended - these are not included)
  • Free travel on  Männlichen gondola (Grindelwald Terminus - Männlichen and Wengen - Männlichen)
  • Free travel on the Grindelwald - Pfingstegg cable car
  • Free travel Lauterbrunnen - Stechelberg/Gimmelwald - Mürren
  • Free travel Lauterbrunnen - Grütschalp/Winteregg - Mürren
  • Free travel Stechelberg - Mürren
  • Free travel Mürren - Schilthorn
  • Free travel on the Brienzer Rothornbahn
  • Discounts at various partner locations
  • and much more throughout the Bernese Oberland region...

Discounted travel on the following routes:

  • Wilderswil - Schynige Platte (50% off)
  • Interlaken - Harder Kulm (50% off)
  • Grindelwald - First (50% off)
  • Wengen - Kleine Scheidegg (25% off)*
  • Grindelwald - Kleine Scheidegg (25% off)*
  • Eiger Express from Grindelwald Terminus - Eigergletscher (25% off)*
  • Eigergletscher - Jungfraujoch (25% off)*

* These routes are offered at 50 percent discount with your included Swiss Half Fare Card, so we always advise carrying both with you when travelling around so you can enjoy maximum discounts available to you.

Pass inclusions are subject to change. Pre-book prices include Swiss Half Fare Card discount. Please note that we act at all times as selling agent for the suppliers of travel passes.

Individual Lift Tickets/Magic Blue Pass

Oeschinen Lake cable-car - UNESCO World Heritage Site

Take the cable-car from Kandersteg to this stunning lake for great walking and fabulous views. You can hire a rowing boat on the lake, or try the summer toboggan near the mountain lift station.

Sunnbüel cable-car

Enjoy a cable-car ride up to Sunnbüel - spectacual views down the Gastental remote valley, and lovely circular walks to mountain lakes of Arvenseeli or Daubensee along the famous Gemmi Pass.

Allmenalp cable-car

This ride brings you to fantastic scenery and views over the village. A lovely area for walkers and particularly good for spotting wildflowers.

The above three lifts can be bought as part of the Magic Blue Pass which includes one ascent and descent on each lift during your stay. For more rides, we recommend pre-booking a Bernese Oberland Pass.

Your Guest Card from your hotel includes the local Kandersteg bus, and the Adelboden-Frutigen-Kandersteg bus.

Subject to change.

Kandersteg Guest Card - included

Kandersteg Guest Card

The Kandersteg Guest Card is provided by your hotel on arrival and gives you:

  • Free public transport on most services in and around the village (between Kandersteg, Frutigen, Adelboden and Reichenbach)
  • Discounts on local attractions, services and more

Subject to change.

Swiss Travel Pass

A Swiss Travel Pass covers a huge amount across the whole of Switzerland, however, many mountain trains and cable cars aren't included. For this reason, it's not a recommended pass for a Kandersteg holiday.

Things to do in Kandersteg

Things to do in Kandersteg

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 are 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 around 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 are 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. 

Family activities in Kandersteg

Family activities in Kandersteg

Summer tobogganing

Zoom down the incredible 750-metre-long mountain coaster at the Oeschinen mountain station and create unforgettable memories. Children aged three to eight can brave the ride accompanied by an adult, and older children can take it on themselves, but who will go the fastest?

Mountain tubing

Grab your donut and make your way up the ski jumping slopes at the Swisscom Nordic Arena, ready for an exhilarating ride down to the bottom. Fun for the whole family, this giant slide will have you holding on tight as you speed to the bottom. Even the grown-ups will be wanting to go again and again.

BBQ lunches

There's nowhere quite like the mountain riverside, or alpine forest to enjoy a family cooked barbeque meal. With various sites providing wood-stocked barbeques and group seating areas, you are in for a treat. But remember, matches must be supplied yourself, so don't forget them.

Playgrounds

Head up the Kandersteg Sunnbüel lift and swing from left to right on a giant hammock, or take a leisurely stroll to the Oeschiwald playground and let the little ones woosh down the slide. Lots of restaurants have their own play parks too, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled.

Outdoor swimming pool

Get your swimsuit on and make your way to the centre of Kandersteg, heading straight for the outdoor pool with slide, games and wind-protected sunbathing area for the parents. Children can jump in the pool and cool off on a warm day after running around playing ball games on the lawn.

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: the 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

Arrive into: Geneva or Zurich airports (approx. 2 hours), or Kandersteg station (approx. 14 hours from London St. Pancras)

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

24/7 Support and advice: In person or over the phone from our local resort team

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

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