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Kandersteg

Kandersteg is a quiet alpine village at 1'176 meters in the Bernese Oberland, best known for the UNESCO World Heritage Oeschinensee -- one of Switzerland's most spectacular glacial lakes -- and as the northern gateway to the Lotschberg railway tunnel connecting the Bernese Oberland to the Valais. With world-class cross-country skiing, via ferrata routes, the turquoise Blausee nearby, and the Gemmi Pass crossing to Leukerbad, Kandersteg offers a remarkably diverse range of alpine experiences without the crowds of Interlaken or Grindelwald. Reach it from Bern in under 1 hour by train.

Kandersteg is a quiet alpine village at 1'176 meters in the Bernese Oberland, best known for the UNESCO World Heritage Oeschinensee -- one of Switzerland's most spectacular glacial lakes -- and as the northern gateway to the Lotschberg railway tunnel connecting the Bernese Oberland to the Valais. With world-class cross-country skiing, via ferrata routes, the turquoise Blausee nearby, and the Gemmi Pass crossing to Leukerbad, Kandersteg offers a remarkably diverse range of alpine experiences without the crowds of Interlaken or Grindelwald. Reach it from Bern in under 1 hour by train.

En bref : Kandersteg est un paisible village alpin a 1'176 m dans l'Oberland bernois, connu pour l'Oeschinensee -- un lac glaciaire inscrit au patrimoine mondial UNESCO parmi les plus spectaculaires de Suisse -- et comme porte nord du tunnel ferroviaire du Lotschberg. Avec du ski de fond de classe mondiale, des via ferrata, le Blausee turquoise a proximite et le passage du Gemmi vers Loeuche-les-Bains, Kandersteg offre une diversite alpine remarquable sans les foules d'Interlaken. Accessible depuis Berne en moins d'1 heure.

En bref
Region Oberland bernois
Canton Berne
Altitude 1'176 m
Population 1'350
Acces Berne : 55 min / Interlaken : 45 min / Zurich : 2h 10min
Swiss Travel Pass Trains et telecabine de l'Oeschinensee couverts
GPS 46.4944, 7.6731

Les 5 incontournables

1. L'Oeschinensee (UNESCO)

Lac glaciaire a 1'578 m encadre de falaises calcaires de 1'500 m. Telecabine (8 min) + 20 min de marche. Location de barques CHF 28/h, baignade possible. Telecabine aller-retour : CHF 30, gratuit avec Swiss Travel Pass. 3 a 5 heures.

2. Ski de fond (50 km de pistes)

Kandersteg est l'un des meilleurs centres nordiques de Suisse avec 50 km de pistes preparees. Saison : decembre a mars. Location de materiel : CHF 35/jour.

3. Col du Gemmi vers Loeuche-les-Bains

Randonnee spectaculaire (5--6 h) par le col a 2'314 m, avec descente par des escaliers tailles dans la falaise. Possibilite de prendre le telecabine a Loeuche-les-Bains. Ouvert juin a octobre.

4. Le Blausee

Petit lac d'un bleu turquoise intense dans un parc boise a 6 km de Kandersteg. Entree : CHF 9. Restaurant et pisciculture sur place. Ouvert toute l'annee.

5. Traverser le Lotschberg en train

La ligne historique du Lotschberg (1913) offre l'un des plus beaux parcours ferroviaires de Suisse. Le service d'auto-train Kandersteg-Goppenstein traverse le tunnel en 15 minutes.

Source : ch.tours | Derniere mise a jour : mars 2026

Planifier

Itinéraires dans null

Plans de voyage sur plusieurs jours pour profiter au maximum de votre visite.

1
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2
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3
Jour 3
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Questions fréquentes

Tout ce que vous devez savoir pour visiter Kandersteg.

### Is Kandersteg worth visiting?

Yes, Kandersteg is one of the most rewarding mountain destinations in the Bernese Oberland, particularly for visitors who prefer natural scenery and outdoor activities over resort-town bustle. The Oeschinensee alone justifies a visit -- it is consistently rated among the most beautiful alpine lakes in Switzerland. Combined with the Gemmi Pass, Blausee, cross-country skiing, and the Gasterntal, Kandersteg offers an exceptional concentration of alpine experiences in a quiet, authentic village setting.

How many days do you need in Kandersteg?

Two to three days is ideal. Day one for Oeschinensee (half to full day), day two for the Gemmi Pass crossing to Leukerbad or the Gasterntal, and an optional third day for Blausee, the via ferrata, or the Lotschberg panoramic train to the Valais. As a day trip from Interlaken or Bern, one full day allows a visit to Oeschinensee with time left for the village.

How do you get to Kandersteg from Zurich?

Take the IC train from Zurich HB to Bern (56 min), change to the IC to Spiez (30 min), and change again to the RE to Kandersteg (20 min). Total travel time is approximately 2 hours 10 minutes. The Swiss Travel Pass covers the entire journey.

What is the best time to visit Kandersteg?

June to September is best for hiking, lakes, and the Gemmi Pass. The Oeschinensee is at its most beautiful in June and July, when snowmelt feeds the waterfalls on the surrounding cliffs. December to March is ideal for cross-country skiing and the toboggan run. October offers golden larch forests and solitude.

Is the Swiss Travel Pass valid for Kandersteg?

Yes, the Swiss Travel Pass covers all trains to Kandersteg, the Oeschinensee gondola (round trip), and PostBuses. The Sunnbuhl cable car (Gemmi) and Allmenalp cable car are discounted 50%. This makes the Swiss Travel Pass particularly valuable in Kandersteg, where the gondola alone would cost CHF 30 without it.

Can you visit Kandersteg as a day trip from Interlaken?

Yes, Kandersteg is 45 minutes from Interlaken Ost by train (change at Spiez). An early departure allows a full day to visit Oeschinensee or Blausee and return by evening. The Gemmi Pass crossing (to Leukerbad) is also possible as a long day trip but requires careful planning of cable car and PostBus schedules.

Is Kandersteg good for families?

Yes, Kandersteg is excellent for families. The Oeschinensee gondola and lakeside area are suitable for children of all ages, the flat Gasterntal walk is stroller-friendly on the road section, and the Winter toboggan run is a family favorite. The International Scout Centre atmosphere gives the village a welcoming, outdoorsy character, and the pace of life is relaxed.

What is the Lotschberg car train?

The Lotschberg car train (BLS Autoverlad) is a rail shuttle that transports vehicles through the 14.6 km Lotschberg Tunnel between Kandersteg and Goppenstein (Valais side). Cars drive onto flat railway wagons and are carried through the mountain in 15 minutes. It runs every 30 minutes and costs CHF 27 per car (2026 prices). There is no through road -- the car train is the only way to drive between Kandersteg and the Valais without the long detour via Interlaken or Lake Thun.

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