Kiental: Hiking Trails, Winter Paths and History

In Kiental, excursion options range from shorter themed trails to long mountain hikes. Winter activities and historic sites also shape the destination. When planning, it is worth comparing route length, walking time and elevation gain, as well as the conditions in each season.

Hikes by Duration and Distance

The Lötschberg Panorama Trail leads from Kiental to Kandersteg. The full route is 20 kilometres long, with a walking time of 6 hours 30 minutes and 1,150 metres of ascent. The trail starts at the chairlift valley station in Kiental. Its first section climbs 500 metres in just over an hour and a half. This makes it possible to distinguish the time needed for this first section from the duration of the full tour. Seasonal conditions may affect access; also check locally for any temporary closures.

The easy Alpenruh–Bärenpfad–Wildwasserweg–Tschingel themed trail takes less time: it is 6.6 kilometres long and takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. This duration is approximate. By comparison, another easy hike from the Ramslauenen chairlift to Kiental covers 5.3 kilometres in 1 hour 20 minutes. The route includes 18 metres of ascent and 478 metres of descent. The two tours therefore differ in distance and duration; the Ramslauenen hike also has a significant difference in elevation.

A mountain hike to Oeschinensee follows a route from Griesalp in the upper Kiental via the Hohtürli Pass. Alpine conditions can affect access, so trail conditions should be taken into account when planning.

Winter Activities at Ramslauenen

In winter, the Ramslauenen Trail is available for snowshoe hikes. Its starting point at the mountain station can be reached by the Kiental–Ramslauenen chairlift. Snow and lift operations vary by season. Below the Gehrihorn are also ski slopes that can be reached from Ramslauenen by chairlift; this activity is seasonal too. If you are planning a winter excursion, check snow and lift conditions for the dates in question.

Landscape and History

Tschingelsee was formed by a debris flow in 1972 and is now a floodplain of national importance. At the end of the Kiental lies part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site. These two details offer different perspectives on the valley’s landscape: Tschingelsee represents a more recent origin, while the upper end of the valley is part of the World Heritage Site.

Kiental also has its place in architectural history. The chapel was built in 1929 to plans by Basel architect Vischer-Sarasin; the parish had decided to build it the previous year. Today’s Hotel Bären was created in 1912 by converting an existing hotel and is considered a witness to the importance of mountain tourism in Kiental before the First World War. The hotel is also associated with the second secret conference of the socialist Zimmerwald movement, held there in late April 1916. The history of the conference offers another way to explore the valley’s past.

Legend Trails and Getting Around

The Kiental legend trails comprise several hikes from one alpine pasture to another. Signs tell stories including those of the Grüenmatti innkeeper, the Bundalp spirits and the Witches’ Cauldron; large, colourful legend figures add to the trail. A hiking guide to the legend trails is available from the tourist offices. If you would like to use it for your tour, ask there about current availability.

Getting to Kiental

The route described involves taking the train to Reichenbach railway station, then a postbus to Kiental. Check the timetable for your travel date. This lets you coordinate your journey with your planned excursion without confusing walking times or tour distances with travel time.

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

Go to the main travel overview: Frutigen.