The Heuberg Rundweg and other Kandersteg, Switzerland Things to Do Tips

One of the most magnificent hikes we've taken is the Heuberg Rundweg, a loop from the top station of the Heuberg (Oeschinensee) gondola to Oberbärgli, to Unterbärgli, to the Oeschinensee, then back to the top gondola station. Allow for 3-4 hours of moderate to strenuous hiking. CAUTION: Do not attempt this hike in bad weather or if you're out of shape. Be sure to check at the tourist office on trail conditions before you go. Bring boots, a waterproof jacket, water, and a map.

From the top station, follow the "Oeschinensee Rundweg" path to start. After about 15 minutes, you'll see the white-red-white "bergweg" trail towards Blümlisalp, Hohtürli, and Heuberg-Unterbärgli, ascending steeply to the left of the main trail. Follow the trail steeply upwards as you see the Oeschinensee and the Blümlisalp in front of you. On a clear day, the scenery will take your breath away. NOTE: Be aware that the ice and snow on parts of the trail can be quite challenging, especially early in the season. Oberbärgli itself is just a collection of farmhouses -- a landmark on the way to the much more difficult hiking destination of the Hohtürli. But you want to take the trail on the right running STEEPLY downhill to the Unterbärgli. Take your time and hold on to the cables on the way down. Once at Unterbärgli, you can either stop for refreshments at the small cafe, or continue to the Oeschinensee, then back to the gondola station.

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Phone: +41 33 675 11 18
Directions: From the Heuberg gondola top station, turn right, then follow the hiking signs to "Heuberg-Oberer Bärgli." Be sure to bring proper equipment, water, and a map.
Website: http://www.oeschinensee.ch/content/sommer_en/11/149/

Probably the most popular hike in the Kandersteg area is the trek to the Gemmi Pass. While many tourists find the hike very strenuous, locals call it the "Grandmothers' Walk," and you will indeed see many senior citizens making the journey.

The most efficient way to get there is to either take the "Sunnbuel-bus" or walk a scenic 20 minutes to the Sunnbuel-Bahn cable car. From Sunnbuel, follow the trail and the signs to the Gemmipass. The hike should take 1 1/2 to 3 hours, depending on your level of fitness. At about the midpoint of the hike is the Berghotel Schwarenbach, a longtime mountain hotel (indeed, Mark Twain once stayed here). If the weather is clear and you manage to make it to the Gemmipass, you will be rewarded by a magnificent view of the Rhone Valley. There's even a cafeteria with view terrace where you can have a lunch break and/or beverage of your choice before making the return trip to Sunnbuel. For those who don't wish to make the return walk, there is a gondola from Gemmipass down to the town of Leukerbad. From Leukerbad, you can take a bus to Leuk, then a train back to Kandersteg via Brig. Of course, you can take the train/bus from Kandersteg to Leukerbad, the gondola to Gemmipass, and then walk to Sunnbuel... but then you have to read this tip backwards.

NOTE: This trail is open year round, but parts of the trail can be snow-covered even into July. Be sure to wear good hiking boots, preferably with Goretex.

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Phone: +41 (0)33 675 81 41
Address: Luftseilbahn Kandersteg-Sunnbüel
Directions: From the Kandersteg train station, turn right and follow signs to "Eggenschwand" or take the Sunnbuel Bus (Fare CHF 2). Take the Sunnbuel lift and take the well-marked trail to the Gemmipass.
Website: http://www.kandersteg.ch/english/sport/bahnen.html#sunnbuel
Other Contact: http://www.sunnbuel.ch/

The Gastern Valley is a very good hike, especially if it's a bit cloudy. You'll climb rather steeply at first along a torrent of water. Eventually, the trail flattens out, and you find yourself in a hanging valley with sheer cliffs and waterfalls surrounding you. Continue the walk all the way to Selden if you like, or even beyond to the hamlet of Heimritz. Just beyond Heimritz, you can see the Kanderfirn glacier in the distance. If you're really ambitious, you can hike the 2-3 hours to a Swiss Alpine Club hut and stay the night. For me, it's better to admire from a distance and go back to cozy Kandersteg.

Note: There is van transportation from Kandersteg to Selden available from July-October, but you must reserve in advance. Ask at your hotel, the tourist office, or the train station.

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Phone: +41 33 675 80 80
Address: Trail starts behind Sunnbuel lift
Directions: Walk towards the Sunnbuel lift, or take the Sunnbuel Bus. Follow the marked trail behind the lift station towards Selden.
Website: http://www.kandersteg.ch/deutsch/sport/pdf/gasterebus_09.pdf
Other Contact: info@kandersteg.ch

This is our favorite hike if we arrive in the early afternoon, or right before a late checkout. The walk 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 berghaus and a berghotel, both of which serve lunches and beverages. During Summer, they rent rowboats and paddleboats if you want to go out on the lake. 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 "seilbahn" (gondola) that will get you up the hill. From the top station, it's a more gentle 20-minute walk to the lake.

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Phone: +41 33 675 11 19
Address: Hotel-Restaurant Oeschinensee CH-3718 Kandersteg
Directions: Just walk into the postcard, so to speak, toward the Blümlisalp. Follow the signs to the Oechienensee, and take the 40-minute hike. Or take the Sesselbahn and follow the signs to the lake.
Website: http://www.oeschinensee.ch/
Other Contact: info@oeschinensee.ch

Lake Thun is easy to get to from Kandersteg -- about a 40 minute train ride. From Thun, it's easy to visit Schloss Thun, an interesting castle not far from the lake. After that, head for the lake and follow the hiking trail (yellow signs) in the direction of Oberhofen. The hike is mostly flat, though there are some hills. Just outside of Thun, you'll climb through a vineyard. At the top, you'll be rewarded with an excellent view of the lake.

Continue along the path as long as you like. At Hilterfingen, Hunibach, and Oberhofen, there are docks where you can catch lake steamers to Thun, Spiez, and Interlaken. These boats are covered by Swisspass.

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Phone: ++41 (0)842 842 111
Address: Info-Center Thun, Bahnhof, CH-3600 Thun
Directions: From Kandersteg, take any train (direction Spiez/Bern) to Thun (sometimes with a transfer in Spiez). Tourist office is just to the left of the train station.
Website: http://www.thunersee.ch/en/hauptnavigation/lake-thun.html
Other Contact: info[at]thunersee[dot]ch