Lake Oeschinen is a deep blue mountain lake in the Bernese Alps above Kandersteg. It lies at 1578 m above sea level and is fed by several glacial streams. They come from the three-thousand-meter peaks Blüemlisalp, Oeschinenhorn, Doldenhorn and Fründenhorn, which frame the lake. You can reach Lake Oeschinen by cable car followed by a half-hour hike. Lake Oeschinen is a popular destination in summer and winter. The cable car also runs in winter.
Weather
Explore the mountain world around Kandersteg on a private hike with Swiss triathlete Nicolas Reinmann as your guide and experience the Alps safely and personally. The Oeschinensee is along your hiking route.
Explore the mountain world around Kandersteg on a private hike with Swiss triathlete Nicolas Reinmann as your guide and experience the Alps safely and personally. The Oeschinensee is along your hiking route.
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Travel guide
The Oeschinensee is a popular spot for a family outing, especially in the summer. You can swim in the lake, which can reach temperatures of up to 20 °C, although it's generally quite cold. There are free grilling areas around the lake for everyone to use. You can get firewood from the nearby restaurants. Benches are available to enjoy the view of the lake and the surrounding mountains.
At Lake Oeschinen you will find very easy hiking trails for walks as well as challenging mountain tours. Unfortunately, a direct circumnavigation of the lake on foot is not possible.
Below are nine of the most popular tours from easy to moderately difficult:
| route | length (km) | time (hr) | difficulty | meters of altitude↑ | meters of altitude↓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berghotel - Waterfall "Bärglifall" at Lake Oeschinen - Berghotel | 3.26 | 1:15 | easy | 70 | 70 |
| Via forest path - Oeschinensee - mountain station | 4.21 | 1:30 | medium | 550 | 70 |
| roundtrip above Oeschinensee - Heuberg - mountain alp "Obere Öschibärgli" - Blümlisalp -Bergbeizli Oberbärgli | 6.17 | 2:45 | medium | 410 | 420 |
| Beizentour am Oeschinensee - Restaurant Bergstübli - Oberbärgli - Sennhütte- Berghaus Oeschinensee - Restaurant Bergstübli | 9.00 | 3:30 | medium | 470 | 470 |
| Route 1: Kandersteg - mountain station via Huble | 2.68 | 1:30 | medium | 470 | - |
| route 2: Kandersteg - Lake Oeschinen via Grüenewald | 3.36 | 1:18 | medium | 390 | 10 |
| Route 3: Kandersteg - mountain station via forest road | 3.38 | 1:18 | medium | 500 | 30 |
| route 4: mountain station - Oeschinensee; direct route | 1.57 | 0:30 | easy | 90 | - |
| route 5: mountain station - Oeschinensee via Läger | 1.39 | 0:23 | easy | 10 | 50 |
There are a large number of hiking trails at Lake Oeschinen. They range from easy and leisurely hikes to challenging trekking tours. Nine barbecue sites around the lake alone allow you to take leisurely breaks from hiking. You can get wood at the kiosk in front of the mountain hotel.
The toboggan run Oeschinensee starts near the mountain station Oeschinen. Over a length of 750 meters, the summer toboggan run rapidly climbs about 150 meters in altitude. It is open from May to October. The popular toboggan run at Oeschinensee is opened daily in dry weather.
You'll be pulled up by toboggan at the beginning, which is designed for 1-2 people. Once at the top, the ride begins. Comfortable or fast, just as you like it. You will pass four big and some very tight curves. When you reach the bottom of the conveyor belt, you can let yourself be pulled up again. During the ride you can enjoy the wonderful mountain aroma. The toboggan run can be used by children from 8 years of age alone, children from 3 years of age already with an accompanying person (from 8 years of age). By the way, filming and selfie photos are not allowed during the ride.
At Lake Oeschinen, hiking and riding the Oeschinensee toboggan run are the most popular activities. But there are many more possibilities.
In summer, boat trips and of course swimming are very popular, especially on hot days. In winter there is a nice toboggan run. And as soon as Lake Oeschinen is frozen really solid, you can skate on it with your own skates.
Lake Oeschinen is a mountain lake fed by glacial streams. It is therefore rather cool. In summer, however, Lake Oeschinen reaches bathing temperatures of around 20°C. The clean water is up to 50 m deep.
On the southern and western shores of the lake there are simple bathing spots with gravel beaches. Infrastructure like changing rooms etc. does not exist.
The Berghaus on Lake Oeschinen rents out rowing and fishing boats from mid-May to the end of October. You can also buy fishing licenses there.
In winter, you can sled from the mountain station down to Oeschinensee.
The paths from Kandersteg upwards are not accessible in winter. Since the cable car is also operating during winter, it's best to hike to Oeschinensee.
In winter, Oeschinensee is usually completely covered in ice and snow and can be accessed. This condition is known as “Seegfrörni.” On these days, you can also skate here with your own skates.
From Kandersteg, a cable car takes you to the Oeschinen mountain station. From there, it’s a pleasant 30-minute walk to Oeschinensee.
** Offer at Swiss Activities:**
There is an E-Shuttle available in summer for those with mobility issues. The E-Shuttle runs from mid-May to the end of October, operating every half hour (or when full). It's reserved for people with mobility difficulties. If there’s space, everyone can ride (for a fee), but seats are not guaranteed. Therefore, these tickets cannot be booked in advance.
With the Erlebniscard Wallis, you can enjoy great flexibility on 2, 3, or 5 days of your choice each month. It's valid not just in the Wallis, but also in the holiday regions of Andermatt, Bernese Oberland, and Disentis-Sedrun. The mountain railway between Kandersteg and Oeschinen is also included.
| Train type | Start station | End station | Trip time | Operating time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8-seater gondola | Kandersteg valley station | Oeschinen mountain station | 5 min | Mid May to end of October and mid December to mid March |
| Shuttle | Mountain station Oeschinen | Lake Oeschinen | 15 min | Mid May to end of October |
On the lakeshore below the hotel there is a fireplace for barbecuing. Around the lake you will find at least eight other barbecue sites.
The Berghotel Oeschinensee has a self-service restaurant and is located directly on the lake. On offer are lamb specialties from the hotel's own organic farm and homemade spaetzli dishes.
You will find the Bergstübli directly at the Oeschinen mountain station. In summer it is run as a kiosk, in winter as a self-service restaurant. In addition to snacks, you can also get homemade Oeschi glacé here.
Alphüsi are two food trucks located on the Oeschi Piazza directly in front of the Berghotel. Here you can get snacks like nut croissants, pretzels, hot dogs and garlic bread.
You can enjoy regional, seasonal home-style cooking here. The terrace offers an amazing view of Lake Oeschinen and the Blüemlisalp.
The Sennhütte is open only in summer. It's located above Lake Oeschinen. The hearty menu features Swiss home-style dishes.
The Bärgbeizli is also only open in summer. You can see from afar if it’s open by the raised flag. From the Oeschinen mountain station, it takes you about 1 to 1.5 hours to hike here.
You can reach Lake Oeschinen using the 8-person gondola from Kandersteg. Paid parking is available at the valley station of the cable car.
If you’re driving from Bern, it takes less than an hour via the A6 to Kandersteg. You won't be able to drive directly to Lake Oeschinen.
You can reach Kandersteg with BLS via Thun or Spiez. From Kandersteg train station, it’s a 15-minute walk to the valley station of the Oeschinen cable car. With the local bus, it’s an 8-minute ride.
The Oeschinensee is a popular spot for a family outing, especially in the summer. You can swim in the lake, which can reach temperatures of up to 20 °C, although it's generally quite cold. There are free grilling areas around the lake for everyone to use. You can get firewood from the nearby restaurants. Benches are available to enjoy the view of the lake and the surrounding mountains.
At Lake Oeschinen you will find very easy hiking trails for walks as well as challenging mountain tours. Unfortunately, a direct circumnavigation of the lake on foot is not possible.
Below are nine of the most popular tours from easy to moderately difficult:
| route | length (km) | time (hr) | difficulty | meters of altitude↑ | meters of altitude↓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berghotel - Waterfall "Bärglifall" at Lake Oeschinen - Berghotel | 3.26 | 1:15 | easy | 70 | 70 |
| Via forest path - Oeschinensee - mountain station | 4.21 | 1:30 | medium | 550 | 70 |
| roundtrip above Oeschinensee - Heuberg - mountain alp "Obere Öschibärgli" - Blümlisalp -Bergbeizli Oberbärgli | 6.17 | 2:45 | medium | 410 | 420 |
| Beizentour am Oeschinensee - Restaurant Bergstübli - Oberbärgli - Sennhütte- Berghaus Oeschinensee - Restaurant Bergstübli | 9.00 | 3:30 | medium | 470 | 470 |
| Route 1: Kandersteg - mountain station via Huble | 2.68 | 1:30 | medium | 470 | - |
| route 2: Kandersteg - Lake Oeschinen via Grüenewald | 3.36 | 1:18 | medium | 390 | 10 |
| Route 3: Kandersteg - mountain station via forest road | 3.38 | 1:18 | medium | 500 | 30 |
| route 4: mountain station - Oeschinensee; direct route | 1.57 | 0:30 | easy | 90 | - |
| route 5: mountain station - Oeschinensee via Läger | 1.39 | 0:23 | easy | 10 | 50 |
There are a large number of hiking trails at Lake Oeschinen. They range from easy and leisurely hikes to challenging trekking tours. Nine barbecue sites around the lake alone allow you to take leisurely breaks from hiking. You can get wood at the kiosk in front of the mountain hotel.
The toboggan run Oeschinensee starts near the mountain station Oeschinen. Over a length of 750 meters, the summer toboggan run rapidly climbs about 150 meters in altitude. It is open from May to October. The popular toboggan run at Oeschinensee is opened daily in dry weather.
You'll be pulled up by toboggan at the beginning, which is designed for 1-2 people. Once at the top, the ride begins. Comfortable or fast, just as you like it. You will pass four big and some very tight curves. When you reach the bottom of the conveyor belt, you can let yourself be pulled up again. During the ride you can enjoy the wonderful mountain aroma. The toboggan run can be used by children from 8 years of age alone, children from 3 years of age already with an accompanying person (from 8 years of age). By the way, filming and selfie photos are not allowed during the ride.
At Lake Oeschinen, hiking and riding the Oeschinensee toboggan run are the most popular activities. But there are many more possibilities.
In summer, boat trips and of course swimming are very popular, especially on hot days. In winter there is a nice toboggan run. And as soon as Lake Oeschinen is frozen really solid, you can skate on it with your own skates.
Lake Oeschinen is a mountain lake fed by glacial streams. It is therefore rather cool. In summer, however, Lake Oeschinen reaches bathing temperatures of around 20°C. The clean water is up to 50 m deep.
On the southern and western shores of the lake there are simple bathing spots with gravel beaches. Infrastructure like changing rooms etc. does not exist.
The Berghaus on Lake Oeschinen rents out rowing and fishing boats from mid-May to the end of October. You can also buy fishing licenses there.
In winter, you can sled from the mountain station down to Oeschinensee.
The paths from Kandersteg upwards are not accessible in winter. Since the cable car is also operating during winter, it's best to hike to Oeschinensee.
In winter, Oeschinensee is usually completely covered in ice and snow and can be accessed. This condition is known as “Seegfrörni.” On these days, you can also skate here with your own skates.
From Kandersteg, a cable car takes you to the Oeschinen mountain station. From there, it’s a pleasant 30-minute walk to Oeschinensee.
** Offer at Swiss Activities:**
There is an E-Shuttle available in summer for those with mobility issues. The E-Shuttle runs from mid-May to the end of October, operating every half hour (or when full). It's reserved for people with mobility difficulties. If there’s space, everyone can ride (for a fee), but seats are not guaranteed. Therefore, these tickets cannot be booked in advance.
With the Erlebniscard Wallis, you can enjoy great flexibility on 2, 3, or 5 days of your choice each month. It's valid not just in the Wallis, but also in the holiday regions of Andermatt, Bernese Oberland, and Disentis-Sedrun. The mountain railway between Kandersteg and Oeschinen is also included.
| Train type | Start station | End station | Trip time | Operating time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8-seater gondola | Kandersteg valley station | Oeschinen mountain station | 5 min | Mid May to end of October and mid December to mid March |
| Shuttle | Mountain station Oeschinen | Lake Oeschinen | 15 min | Mid May to end of October |
On the lakeshore below the hotel there is a fireplace for barbecuing. Around the lake you will find at least eight other barbecue sites.
The Berghotel Oeschinensee has a self-service restaurant and is located directly on the lake. On offer are lamb specialties from the hotel's own organic farm and homemade spaetzli dishes.
You will find the Bergstübli directly at the Oeschinen mountain station. In summer it is run as a kiosk, in winter as a self-service restaurant. In addition to snacks, you can also get homemade Oeschi glacé here.
Alphüsi are two food trucks located on the Oeschi Piazza directly in front of the Berghotel. Here you can get snacks like nut croissants, pretzels, hot dogs and garlic bread.
You can enjoy regional, seasonal home-style cooking here. The terrace offers an amazing view of Lake Oeschinen and the Blüemlisalp.
The Sennhütte is open only in summer. It's located above Lake Oeschinen. The hearty menu features Swiss home-style dishes.
The Bärgbeizli is also only open in summer. You can see from afar if it’s open by the raised flag. From the Oeschinen mountain station, it takes you about 1 to 1.5 hours to hike here.
You can reach Lake Oeschinen using the 8-person gondola from Kandersteg. Paid parking is available at the valley station of the cable car.
If you’re driving from Bern, it takes less than an hour via the A6 to Kandersteg. You won't be able to drive directly to Lake Oeschinen.
You can reach Kandersteg with BLS via Thun or Spiez. From Kandersteg train station, it’s a 15-minute walk to the valley station of the Oeschinen cable car. With the local bus, it’s an 8-minute ride.
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