"Welcome to Kandersteg" a Kandersteg Travel Page by travelfrosch

Welcome to my favorite place to visit: Kandersteg, Switzerland. I first heard of Kandersteg from a co-worker who absolutely raved about it. I first saw Kandersteg in 1995 through a train window on my way from Stuttgart to Zermatt. As I passed by, I found myself wishing I could stop here. After some 3 crowded hours additional travel, I made it to Zermatt. While the nightlife and hikes in Zermatt were excellent, I vowed to spend my next long weekend in Kandersteg instead of the more distant, more touristy Zermatt. I've been coming back every year ever since -- even after I moved back to the States -- first alone, and then with Sara since 2002. I like Kandersteg so much because it's a "Goldilocks" destination: Not too touristy (like Zermatt, Grindelwald, or Davos), and not too remote (like Adelboden, Champex, or the Seealpsee).

The easiest and most obvious hike to make is to the Oeschinensee. Just walk into the postcard, so to speak, toward the Blümlisalp. Follow the signs to the Oechinensee, and take the 40-minute hike. It is rather steep, especially if you're not an experienced hiker, so bring good shoes and some water if it's a hot day.

Your reward will be a view of a lovely lake, along with a berghotel/cafe. You can stay the night if you want, but we prefer to stay in town.

For those who would like to go to the lake, but not take the steep hike, there's a "sesselbahn" (chairlift) that will get you up the hill. From the top station, it's a more gentle 20-minute walk to the lake.

Not far from Kandersteg is the gondola to Sunnbuel. The view from the gondola itself is breathtaking. At the top, there's a cafe, where you can sit and enjoy the view. For the more adventuresome, you can hike to the Gemmipass, where you'll be rewarded with magnificent views when the weather is clear. If you're interested, see my tip on this page!

A final note: Kandersteg is a favorite place for many, including myself. Keep this place a secret -- we don't want it overcrowded. Just you and me.