Nestling between the spectacular cirque of three thousand meters peaks, Oeschinensee is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Swiss Alps. The lake has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. Glaciers shaping on the peaks make joint streams coalesce into waterfalls that pour into the lake.
There are several mountain huts, restaurants, and picnic places in the area. A cable car takes travelers up to the height of the Oeschinensee, which can then be reached in about 30 minutes with a leisurely walk. That’s why you have to reckon with quite a few people, especially on nice summer days. Families, tourists, and travelers are wandering everywhere in this earthly paradise.
These days, Oeschinensee is much more popular than a few years ago and the area is no longer a secret gem hidden between the mountains. Despite that, since most eye-catching views of the area require hiking, the trails are usually not as busy as it is at the lake itself.
Oeschinensee Hike Map
Part 1: Getting to Lake Oeschinen
The best way to reach Oeschinensee is by cable car. It is highly recommended that you take the cable car instead of hiking to the lake; this way, you can save up to two hours of your time, and the hike is also a steep one and not that special. You will then be able to spend the time and energy you have saved for hiking where the surrounding is much more pristinely beautiful.
The return ticket for the gondola costs 30 CHF for adults and 15 CHF for children of 6 or older. If you are having a stay in Kandersteg, you can ask for a “guest card” at the hotel to take advantage of small discounts for the cable car ride.
There is an electric bus running from the cable car station to the lake, but it is expensive and the route takes only 20 minutes to walk. People who have difficulty walking, though, can make use of the bus.
Oeschinensee Panorama Hike
The Heuberg – Oberbärgli – Oeschinensee hike, also known as the Oeschinensee Panorama Hike, is not one of those easy hikes despite being breathtaking. But then it’s not super difficult either; you can take your kids of around 6 or older with you, if they are experienced in hiking.
The path is rough, steep and narrow while you have to pass through mountain streams and around huge rocks along the way. For the entire hike from Oeschinensee to Oberbärgli and Heuberg, you are constantly surrounded by the most splendid landscapes.
This is not one of those hikes where you have to spend hours in the forest with nothing to amaze you, hoping for an ultimate reward at the end. Every minute of the Oeschinensee Panorama Hike is an experience for nature lovers. As you climb higher, the viewpoints get even more attractive than before; and when you think it could not be more beautiful, the hike surprises you with another astonishment again.
Families with hiking experience will certainly love the spectacular panoramic trail in the mountains over the super blue Oeschinensee. Overall, this is a perfect way to enjoy the best of the Swiss Alps the most.
Panorama Hike Directions
After you go up by the cable car from Kandersteg to the mountain, the adorable view of the valley catches your eyes. After the mountain station you head to the dirt road and walk toward Oeschinensee. After around 400 meters, you leave the main path and the trail takes you to the left up the hill. Look for signs to Heuberg – Oberbärgli.
After 30 minutes of walking and crossing a few streams along the way, you will reach a beautiful viewpoint at Heuberg. In this area, people tend to stop for picnics and photography. There are some fire pits too, but you need to collect the woods by yourself. The area is steep here, so be careful, especially if there are kids with you.
At the very far end of the hike, you will reach the Oberbärgli mountain hut. The hut usually serves drinks and light snacks and is equipped with a primitive toilet.
Then, you can follow the signs down to Oeschinensee to continue your trail. Once you reach the lake, you can find a plethora of places to lounge. You have the choice to hike back through the forest or keep to the shoreline to reach the restaurants.
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Panorama Hike Difficulty
| Trail: | about 3 hr walking time, 8.5 km when doing the full loop |
| Elevation: | highest elevation 2000, total climb/descent about 466m |
| Condition: | narrow, rocky, dirt alpine trail |
| Skill: | moderate |
| Open: | best late June to October, cable car open starting late May |
If you do not stop off along the way, the hike will take almost three hours for any experienced hiker. However, it may take something like 5 to 6 hours if you have kids with you and tend to have many breaks for either picnics or taking photos.
Although there is a lot of uphill walking, many families have kids as young as six walking with ease on the trail. There are steep slopes dropping off to one side. Then, although it is not super dangerous, your kids should be rather experienced in hiking.
Practical Tips
The Oeschinensee hike can be done in either clockwise or counterclockwise directions. The clockwise direction is probably better for some reasons:
- The hard, steep climb is at the beginning of the hike when you are more energetic.
- You can see the lake from above first, and then end your hike at the lake itself.
- You can end your day sitting by the lake, renting a boat, etc.
The counterclockwise direction also has some advantages:
- You will reach the lake sooner when the area is less crowded.
- You can see the nicest views as the lake is extremely beautiful and tranquil in the morning.
What to bring and wear
There are certain points to consider before starting the hike regarding clothing, water, and food:
- Wear warm, multilayered clothes according to the weather forecast.
- For hot days, shorts are okay as there is no tree or tall grass.
- Waterproof hiking shoes and hiking sticks are needed.
- Bring at least 1 liter of water for yourself as there is no place to refill your water bottle.
- In the middle of the hike, there is a mountain hut that sells drinks and snacks, but not complete meals.
- Three restaurants are near the lake, mostly busy on sunny days and weekends.
- There are picnic areas with fire pits near the lake.
Season
The summer season usually starts from early May until mid-October. The cable car also operates daily from 8:30 to 18:00. You can always check for the opening times on the official Oeschinensee website
Oeschinensee hike without cable car
You do not necessarily have to take the cable car to reach the lake. Instead, you can go through a Kandersteg to Oeschinensee hike if you are physically capable. Hiking to the lake instead of taking the cable car can have a few benefits including saving money and enjoying the spectacular surroundings.
Although the area here is not as beautiful as the main hike around the lake, it is worth it compared to the surroundings when you go up by cable car.
There are two main routes to reach the lake without the cable car; the first is parallel to the river which is the most fun. The other one follows beneath the cable car, but you will be more exposed to the sun and pass through some tedious switchbacks up the hill.
The hike is quite steep at some points and offers enjoyable strolls at other times. It takes almost 45 to 60 minutes to reach Oeschinensee starting from Kandersteg train station. You may arrive at the destination sweatily, but if you are physically fit, you will still have enough energy for the rest of the day.
Summary
Oeschinensee is one of the most enchanting lakes in Switzerland that has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. Located between three thousand meters peak in the Alp just below the Bluemlisalp, the lake and the surrounding environment offer spectacular scenes for the pleasant Oeschinensee hike.
You can reach the lake by cable car quickly and enjoy eye-catching panoramic views of the mountains while observing the lake from above. You can also reach it without taking the cable car if you feel like you are physically prepared for it.
