Kandersteg: Hotels for Mountain Sports, the Lake and Culture

Kandersteg combines mountain sports and hiking trails with experiences at Lake Oeschinen, as well as insights into local history and cable car technology.

Mountain Sports and Experiences at the Nordic Arena

The Kandersteg-Allmenalp via ferrata is a difficult, highly exposed K4 route. Its total length is 650 metres, with 550 metres of ascent. The route includes two Nepalese bridges and two zip lines: one is 50 metres long and the other 110 metres. The longer zip line may only be used with a mountain guide. The via ferrata is open to the public and cannot be booked or reserved. Safety restrictions may affect access; check the operator’s safety status before using it.

Guided tours of the Nordic Arena ski jump complex offer insights into its history, the new construction and the technology. From the top, you can enjoy views over the facility and Kandersteg. Advance registration is required for the tour. Another kind of experience is mountain tubing: you ride down the slope of a ski jump on an inflatable tube, reaching speeds of up to 90 km/h. The activity is seasonal, and weather and operating dates may change.

Lake Oeschinen: Trails, Rowing and Toboggan Run

The Kandersteg–Lake Oeschinen route takes nature lovers to the lake at the entrance to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can row in the rowing boats offered at Lake Oeschinen. The route from Kandersteg involves taking the Oeschinen cable car, followed by a 20-minute walk to the lake. As transport services may vary seasonally and rowing is offered seasonally, it is advisable to check the latest dates.

The toboggan run is located right by the Lake Oeschinen mountain station. It is 750 metres long and descends 150 metres. Rowing takes place on the lake, while the toboggan run operates subject to seasonal conditions.

Hiking Destinations and Stages

The Via Alpina includes one stage from Griesalp via Hohtürli to Kandersteg and another from Kandersteg to Adelboden. These two stages make Kandersteg part of a multi-day hiking itinerary. In addition, hiking trails lead to Lake Oeschinen, the Gasterntal valley, Lake Blausee and Lake Daubensee. The original route of the Green Trail passes the valley station of the Oeschinen cable car and continues to the Nordic Arena ski jumping stadium; trail conditions vary by season.

For shorter outings, there are also specific route details: a signposted hiking route leads from the village centre to the House of Museums. It is 1.4 kilometres long, with a stated walking time of 20 minutes. This route offers a different time commitment from the Via Alpina stages.

Local History and Cable Car Technology

The House of Museums is dedicated to Kandersteg’s history. This includes the influence of the transport routes over the Lötschen and Gemmi passes, as well as railway construction and tourism. The Swiss Cable Car Museum in Kandersteg focuses on a specialised technical subject: the history, development, construction and operation of Swiss cable cars. Original components and models are used to explain the technology of individual cable cars; props, documents, photographs and films complement the exhibition. The two museums thus differ in their focus on local history on the one hand and cable car technology on the other.

In the nearby Gasterntal valley, the Gastern sermon is held every year on the first Sunday in August, when readings are given from the Gastern Bible. Specific arrangements may vary.

Getting Around

The walking distance between Kandersteg railway station and the valley station of the Oeschinen cable car is 1.1 kilometres; the stated walking time is 15 minutes. This route ends at the valley station. The onward route to Lake Oeschinen involves taking the cable car and then walking for a further 20 minutes.

Bus route 230 runs between Adelboden, Frutigen and Kandersteg, stopping at “Kandersteg, Museum”, directly in front of the Swiss Cable Car Museum. Check the route and stop arrangements before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Kandergrund, Krattigen, Kiental, Reichenbach im Kandertal, Aeschiried, Frutigen, Aeschi bei Spiez, Adelboden.

Go to the main travel overview: Frutigen.