Holidays in Kandersteg

Bernese Oberland , Switzerland

  • Challenging Walks
  • Wow Factor
  • Village Charm

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

  • Stunning Lake Oeschinen
  • Remote valley hikes
  • Traditional mountain food
  • Kandersteg Oeschinensee View
    Oeschinensee View
  • Kandersteg Via Ferrata
    Via Ferrata
  • Kandersteg Allmenalp Lift
    Allmenalp Lift
  • Kandersteg Oeschinensee
    Oeschinensee (Copyright: Switzerland Tourism)
  • Kandersteg Oeschinensee View
    Oeschinensee View (Copyright: Switzerland Tourism Kevin Wildhaber)
  • Kandersteg Gasterntal Remote Valley
    Gasterntal Remote Valley
  • Kandersteg Waterfall Into Oeschinensee
    Waterfall Into Oeschinensee (Copyright: Switzerland Tourism Roman Burri)
  • Kandersteg
    Forest Walk To Oeschinensee
  • Kandersteg Cow At Oeschinensee
  • Kandersteg Boat Oeschinensee
  • Kandersteg Hut On Allmenalp
    Hut on Allmenalp
  • Kandersteg Village Centre
    Village Centre
  • Kandersteg Walking Near Oeschinensee
    Walking near Oeschinensee (Copyright: Switzerland Tourism)

Swiss Half Fare Card included

Up to half price off various modes of transport, plus free travel to children from 6 to 15 years old, when accompanied by a parent with the Swiss Family Card.

Free Kandersteg Guest Card

Free public transport on most services in and around the village, plus discounts on local attractions, lifts, services and more.

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Walking in Kandersteg

Walking Trails:
550km

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

Kandersteg at a glance

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  • London St Pancras (QQS)
More about Kandersteg

Travel included to Kandersteg

Depart on: any day except Tuesdays 

Arrive into: Zurich, Geneva or Basel airport, or Kandersteg station

Transfer time: 2 hours 45 minutes - 3 hours

More about travel & transfers

Included in your walking holiday to Kandersteg

  • 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
  • Kandersteg guest card (given by your hotel)
  • On holiday support and tailored advice from our Destination Experts based in Switzerland
  • Access to Inghams Digital Resort Guide with things to do, walks and useful information on holiday
  • Flights or rail from the UK, transfers and accommodation

Walking in Kandersteg

Walks and hikes

Walking Trails:
550km
Terrain:
Diverse mountainous terrain from flat valley floors to dense forests and rugged peaks of the Bernese Alps

Escape the tourist crowds and discover the traditional charm and wild landscapes of Kandersteg and the surrounding Lötschen Valley. With over 550 kilometres of marked walking paths, including sections of the famous Via Alpina and trails through the UNESCO-listed Swiss Alps, this is a paradise for walkers of all levels. Stroll beside the River Kander, hike to the glacier-carved Gasterntal, or visit Lake Oeschinen, where the shimmering blue water is as impressive as the mountain views. From the dramatic Gemmi Pass to panoramic routes made accessible by lifts, Kandersteg offers unforgettable walking with views at every turn.

Our favourite self-guided walks in Kanderstag

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.

The Gasterntal walk takes you along the Kander River, climbing steeply through the dramatic Klus Gorge with stunning waterfalls. Pass through a wildlife reserve as you ascend the forest trail, then the valley opens up, offering views of the towering peaks around. From here you stroll along the river’s edge, continuing as far as you like. If you prefer a circular route, go via Selden, or for longer adventures, head on to Heimritz and the Kanderfirn glacier. 

  • Grade: Easy - Moderate
  • Distance: 8.9km
  • Walking time: 3 hours
  • Terrain: Gravel tracks, forest paths

A spectacular trail through a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Oeschinensee Circular Trail offers a peaceful walk through alpine meadows and forests, leading you to the edge of the lake. The path offers stunning vistas, and from Läger, the trail descends through the forest, with narrow, root-exposed paths. For a gentler experience, you can take the direct path from the gondola station. At the lake, enjoy a relaxing picnic, a rowing boat ride, or maybe finish with a thrilling summer toboggan ride.

  • Grade: Easy to moderate
  • Distance: 4.5km
  • Walking time: 1 hour
  • Terrain: Gravel paths, forest trails with exposed tree roots

A challenging circular route from the Oeschinensee gondola. Enjoy stunning views over Oeschinensee and across to Blüemlisalp and Doldenhorn Considered one of the most beautiful hikes in the Berner Oberland, it’s definitely for those with a head for heights! Climbing steeply past the Oberbärgli hut, before descending rocky steps to alpine pastures. Keep an eye out for ibex and chamois along the way, and finish with a refreshing swim in the crystal clear lake.

  • Grade: Challenging
  • Distance: 8.1km
  • Walking time: 3 hours
  • Terrain: Gravel track, narrow mountain paths

Discover Kandersteg

  • Take a rowing boat on the picturesque Lake Oeschinen
  • 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.

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.

Exhilarating summer activities

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 exciting 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!

Summer in Kandersteg is packed with fun for the whole family. Start with a thrilling ride down the 750-metre mountain coaster at Oeschinen, which is perfect for young adventurers with an adult or for older kids racing solo. Grab a giant donut at the Swisscom Nordic Arena and zoom down the ski jump slope in an exhilarating mountain tubing ride that even adults won't want to miss.

When it’s time to refuel, enjoy a BBQ lunch by a mountain river or in an alpine forest, with wood-stocked grills and group seating - just don’t forget the matches! Little ones can explore playgrounds from the hammock at Sunnbüel to the slide-filled Oeschiwald, with plenty of restaurant-side play areas too. On sunny days, cool off in the outdoor pool in the village centre, complete with slides, games, and a lawn for ball games and sunbathing.

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.

Cards & passes

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. 

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.

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, lifts, services and more

Subject to change.

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 between Adelboden and Engstligenalp, Sillerenbühl and 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.

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.

Travel to Kandersteg

Travel by air

Flights depart any day expect Tuesdays between 17 May - 25 Oct 25 & 16 May - 24 Oct 26.

Fly from:

  • London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London City, London Luton, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Edinburgh.

Fly into:

  • Geneva, Zurich or Basel airport

Transfer time:

  • From Geneva:  3 hours 21 minutes by rail. Your journey involves one change of trains.
  • From Zurich: 2 hours 40 minutes by rail. Your journey involves one change of trains.
  • From Basel: 2 hours 45 minutes by rail. Your journey involves one change of trains. From the airport there is a local bus to the train station.

Travel by train

We offer holidays by train to Kandersteg, which departs daily except on Tuesday.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.

See below for train journey details.

The provisional outbound timings are:

  1. London St. Pancras

  2. Paris Gare du Nord

  3. Paris Gare du Lyon

    Change

  4. Basel

    Change (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:

  1. Basel

    Travel to Basel by Train

  2. Paris Gare du Lyon

    Change

  3. Gare du Nord

    Change

  4. London St. Pancras

Things to do in Kandersteg

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.

Kandersteg Oeschinensee

Prepare for jaw-dropping beauty! With its crystal-clear turquoise waters and the mountains in the background, Lake Oeschinen 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.

Image: (Copyright: Switzerland Tourism)

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.

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).

Hidden in the forest near Kanderstag is the 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.

Interlaken shipping port

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. 

Image: (Copyright: Switzerland Tourism Ivo Scholz)

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?

In Kanderstag, make your way up the ski jumping slopes at the Swisscom Nordic Arena, ready for an exhilarating mountain tube 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.

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