This gondola is used to access the popular Oeschninsee lake.

Location: Oeschistrasse 50, 3718 Kandersteg • Kandersteg train station

Open: mid May to October • current timetable

❗Note: starting summer 2025, you can reserve a timeslot for the Oeschinensee gondola. Check website for details.

How to get there

By car: The gondola address is Oeschistrasse 50, 3718 Kandersteg. There are lots of metered parking spots next to gondola. Best to pay with the parking app so you can adjust the time on your phone as needed.

By public transport:

Train to Kandersteg station, about 1h15 from Interlaken. Then a 15 min walk to the gondola station (see map). Follow the signs and other people walking there.

There is a bus stop at the gondola station, but strangely, the bus timetable is not coordinated with the train. So it's almost always better to walk to the gondola station.

Tickets

You should purchase tickets for this gondola in advance, as reservations are now required. Time slots can sell out. Book here.

Free with Berner Oberland Pass. Discount 50% for Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Half Fare Card, and GA.

In most cases, you'll need a return ticket on the Kandersteg-Oeschinensee gondola. If you want to skip the gondola (save money, long wait), you can hike up. See trail map.

Lockers

If you need to store luggage, there are lockers at the gondola, both at the valley and mountain stations. There used to be lockers at the train station, but they are renovating and I was told they won't have lockers there anymore.

Oeschinensee is popular for its bright blue alpine lake surrounded by mountain peaks and spectacular hiking trails.

Before you get on the trail, we suggest a couple rides on their Instagram-famous summer toboggan, which is at the top of the Kandersteg cable car.

• Length: 750m

• Style: toboggan slide

• Requirements: age 3+, age 8+ can ride alone

• Cost: CHF 6/ride + gondola return ticket

• Open: early May to October

• Location: west of Interlaken, Bernese Oberland region - cable car at Öschistrasse 50, 3718 Kandersteg

• Website: www.oeschinensee.ch

You've probably see videos of this alpine slide on social media, often sped up and oversaturated for effect. The ride is fun and views beautiful, but it's not more special than other alpine slides in Switzerland.

Pro tip: Most summers, the price is discounted for rides before 11:30. So get up early!

See my post about visiting Oeschinensee.

Oeschinensee is a gorgeous alpine lake surrounded by tall mountain peaks. It’s easy to reach the lake with a gondola ride, then easy 30 min walk on a wide dirt path.

Trail stats: easy • 1h30 • 4 km round trip • 110m up and down • See trail map

Open: mid May thru October

Conditions: trail status • webcams • weather

At the lakeshore, you’ll find picnic areas, restaurants, and even row boats to rent. Near the gondola station, there is a summer toboggan ride. This is a great option for casual walkers and families with small children.

➡️Learn more on SwissFamilyFun.com

If you like to hike, we suggest also doing the spectacular panorama trail that traverses the mountain above the lake.

How to get there

This is a loop trail starting and ending at the top of the Kandersteg-Oeschinensee gondola.

Address: Oeschistrasse 50, 3718 Kandersteg. Metered parking next to gondola.

Trail station: Kandersteg, Bahnhof station, about 1h15 from Interlaken. Then a 15 min walk to the gondola station. Follow the signs and other people walking there.

Tickets

❗Note: starting summer 2025, you can reserve a timeslot for the Oeschinensee gondola. Check website for details.

To reach the trail, you'll need a return ticket on the Kandersteg-Oeschinensee gondola. See website for current prices.

It's best to purchase tickets online before your visit to avoid longer waits. You can also purchase them onsite at a machine and ticket office.

Free with Berner Oberland Pass. Discount 50% for Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Half Fare Card, and GA

Trail description

From the top of the gondola, follow signs to Oeschinensee, starting on a wide dirt service road.

If you have a stroller or limited mobility, best to stay on the service road all the way to the lake.

If you prefer a quieter trail, you can branch onto a footpath that wanders through the forest and descends on some switchbacks before reaching the lakeshore. See map on Komoot.

When you reach the lake, you'll find fire pits, a sculpture garden, lots of places to lounge and restaurants a bit further up the the path.

💡Tip: If you prefer not to walk to the lake, you can pay to ride a little shuttle bus to the lakeshore or back. The shuttle gives priority to those with reduced mobility. It can accommodate wheelchair users.

If you don't feel up for the full panorama trail at Oeschinensee lake, you can do this shorter version, which still has great views above the lake.

Trail: moderate • 45-60 min round trip from lakeshore • 190m up & down • see trail map
(total time from gondola station, about 2h round trip)

From the gondola station, first walk directly to the lakeshore, about 30 mins. Then you start this trail, following signs to Underbärgli.

After about 30 mins, you'll reach the Bärgbeizli Underbärgli, which has a cafe serving drinks and snacks, open in good weather 9:00 - 17:00.

The trail is a bit steep at first with loose gravel, so best with hiking shoes with good tread.

Our favorite way to enjoy the beautiful Oeschinensee lake is on the panorama trail that traverses the mountain above the lake, giving a bird’s eye view. It’s one of our favorite hikes in Switzerland that we do often with our own family and friends.

Trail stats: Moderate • 3.5 h • 8.5 km • 430m up and down • See trail map

Open: June through October

Conditions: trail status • webcams • weather

The trail is a narrow, rocky, dirt mountain trail with uneven terrain, fun for those who like hiking. Some of the trail has steep slopes dropping off to one side with no safety rail. So best for adults and children 7+ with hiking experience and no fear of heights.

Tip: If this hike sounds too hard, don't worry. You can walk from the gondola directly to the lake on easy wide dirt path, only about 40 mins.

How to get there

This is a loop trail starting and ending at the top of the Kandersteg-Oeschinensee gondola.

Address: Oeschistrasse 50, 3718 Kandersteg. Metered parking next to gondola.

Trail station: Kandersteg, Bahnhof station, about 1h15 from Interlaken. Then a 15 min walk to the gondola station. Follow the signs and other people walking there.

Tickets

❗Note: starting summer 2025, you can reserve a timeslot for the Oeschinensee gondola. Check website for details.

To reach the trail, you'll need a return ticket on the Kandersteg-Oeschinensee gondola. See website for current prices.

It's best to purchase tickets online before your visit to avoid longer waits. You can also purchase them onsite at a machine and ticket office.

Free with Berner Oberland Pass. Discount 50% for Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Half Fare Card, and GA.

Trail description

From the top of the gondola, start on the service road towards the lake. After about 15 mins, fork to your left, following signs towards "Heuberg - OberBärgli" The trail heads up the mountain and skirts under the peaks, past many waterfalls, with views of the lake below.

At the halfway point, you reach Ober Bärgli, which has a small mountain hut, sometimes selling drinks and snacks but not full meals. Then the trail heads back down to the lake on rocky switchbacks.

When you reach the lake shore, you'll find fire pits, a sculpture garden, lots of places to lounge and restaurants a bit further up the the path.

➡️ Learn more on SwissFamilyFun.com

We often eat at this self-service restaurant after hiking the Oeschinensee Panorama trail. They have tasty traditional Swiss dishes and nice local wines and beer. They have a big outdoor terrace, a nice place to enjoy the view with your meal.

No reservations.

Website: www.berghotel-oeschinensee.ch

Renting a rowboat is a nice way to explore the lake away from the busy shoreline. You can also explore the far corners of the lake that you cannot reach by foot. 

They are open from 10:30 – 16:00. You cannot make a reservation; just wait in line until one is available. In 2024, rowboats cost CHF 20/30 mins and CHF 32/60 mins.

It takes about 45 mins to row to the waterfall and back.

Maximum 4 persons on each boat. Dogs allowed on the boat. No swimming from the boat, only from the shore.

They provide life vests. They may close the rentals due to bad weather.

Thun is a charming lakeside town near Interlaken. It's nestled on the north end of Lake Thur, where the Aare River starts.

The town's history dates back to Roman times, makes it a popular destination for visitors looking to add history and culture to their Swiss experience.

Thun is small but packed with many beautiful things to see, including a castle, wooden bridge, cobblestone lanes, and grassy parks along the lake.

Its picturesque setting with lake and mountain views make it a nice place to stroll and take pictures any time of year.

On Wednesdays and Saturdays, there is a market in the town square, where you can buy local food and crafts.

Tours

If you want to learn about this town, we suggest one of these tours:

• The Thun Tourism office offers a guided tour, visiting the town centre and castle. the 1.5 hour tour is on Saturdays at 14:00, April to November. Bilingual in English/German. CHF 15/person, discount with Berner Oberland Pass. Book here.

• Treasure Hunt Thun has you hunt for hidden treasure and solve puzzles as you visit the town's highlights. Via mobile app, available in English. Book here.

• If you speak German or French, you might try the Thun Scavenger Hunt or one of three FoxTrails in Thun.

How to get there

By boat:

The nicest way to visit Thun is by boat. You can start at the Interlaken West boat dock (next to the train station). The one-way journey takes about 2h15. You can return to Interlaken by train or bus.

The boat ride is free with the Swiss Travel Pass and Bernese Oberland Pass. A full fare one way ticket costs about CHF 51/adult.

By bus/train:

From Interlaken, it takes 30 mins by train to the main Thun station. By bus, it takes about 50 mins. Both the bus and train are free with the Swiss Travel Pass and Bernese Oberland Pass.

By car:

The easiest place to park is Parkhaus City South - Mönchstrasse 4, 3600 Thun.