Kandersteg and it’s mountain scenery in Switzerland

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Instead of going to the seaside for our summer holidays, we decided to embark on an epic road trip to Switzerland. Going by car gave us the ultimate flexibility to stop whenever we wanted and choose our destinations as the day went on.

The journey took around 12 hours from London to Locarno, where our friends live, making it the perfect starting point for our Swiss adventure.

Is Kandersteg Worth Visiting?

As we spent 8 days travelling around the country, we got to know several places, and one of them was Kandersteg. In fact, I originally chose Kandersteg because it was near a spot I had wanted to visit for a long time: the famous Lake Blausee in Switzerland.

I also discovered Oeschinensee, one of the most beautiful lakes I’ve ever seen. Read my guide to visiting Oeschinensee for the route and my experience. For now, I will tell you about this very charming little town that is worth visiting.

Kandersteg is known for its magnificent mountain and rural landscapes. The village is located on the northern of the Bernese Alps, and it is part of the Berner Oberland, the highest region of the Canton of Bern.

Being right in the middle of the Kander Valley, the city is surrounded by towering mountains, and it is awe-inspiring to walk around it and watch the sunrise reflect on the rocks of these mountains. I just loved it!

The village has preserved its traditional Swiss character, with beautiful wooden chalets, small restaurants serving traditional food and high prices (how expensive this country is, OMG!).

Summer vs Winter in Kandersteg

Talking with the residents, we found out that, although the village is equipped for winter sports, with a ski resort and such, the strong point of tourism is in the summer. This is due to hundreds of kilometres of marked hiking trails, various climbing areas, etc.

Then in wintertime, you can enjoy one of the most extensive cross-country skiing tracks in the country. Or the more than 50 kilometres of ski/snowboard trails. However, it is worth remembering that these tracks are for beginners only.

Oh, I can’t forget to mention that Kandersteg is home to the International Scout Center, which annually hosts over 11.000 scouts and guides from all around the world. I think in only an hour while I was walking around town, over 100 scouts passed by me.

Best Things to Do in Kandersteg, Switzerland

Anyway, as you can see, you won’t lack activities to do in this beautiful side of Switzerland. Here are the top places and experiences you cannot miss:

1. Ride the 3 Cable Cars!

There are 3 cable cars in the city that will take you to mind-blowing viewpoints:

– Sunnbüel: which takes you to an altitude of over 1,900 meters. It has a restaurant of the same name, offering a unique panoramic view. It is the starting point for the famous Gemmi Pass trail to Leukerbad.

– Allmenalp: which rises up to 1,700 meters above sea level and there you will have gorgeous mountain scenery. It has hiking trails that take you to the Ueschinen Valley or the Bunderkrinde to Adelboden.

– Gondelbahn Kandersteg – Oeschinensee, which will take you near the Oeschinensee lake.

2. Explore Oeschinensee Lake! 

Oeschinensee is a beautiful lake, and it sure is a must-see if you are in Kandersteg. As mentioned above, you take the cable car to reach it (or you can hike). Read my Oeschinensee guide for more about visiting the lake.

3. Visit Lake Blausee!

Read my guide to Lake Blausee for another beautiful lake near Kandersteg. To reach it, by car it takes about 12 minutes, or walking it takes about one and a half hours.

4. Discover the Hidden Gasterntal Valley!

Gasterntal is a slightly hidden and tranquil valley as it has little tourism. The valley is on the south of Kandersteg, and I really wish I had visited there, but unfortunately, I had no time.
Access to Gasterntal can be restricted. Check current Gasterntal access information before driving into the valley.

5. Hike the Historic Trails (Gemmi Pass & Lötschenpass)

Gemmi Pass is one of the most famous mountain routes, passing through the Bernese Alps, connecting Leukerbad in the canton of Valais to Sunnbüel in the canton of Bern (with cable cars operating at either end). The distance is about 13 km, with a walking duration of 5 hours or so. For another walk description, read Swiss Family Fun’s Gemmi Pass hiking guide.

Lötschenpass is the oldest route in these mountains, connecting the Canton of Valais and Bern. It looks like you can take a bus from Kandersteg to Selden and from there, walk to Lötschenpass Hut.

6. Try Mountain Tubing

Mountain Tubing – I didn’t see where that place was, but it looks like it’s pure adrenaline: slide down the ski-jumping hill into a tube and reach a top speed of 90 km / h.

Where to Stay in Kandersteg

I just adore this country, and every time I go there, I fall more and more in love. And inevitably, Kandersteg did not fail to impress me.

We stayed at Seiler’s Vintage Hotel & Spa. At the time, our stay included cable car travel, which was a lovely bonus. Check directly with the hotel for current benefits and conditions before booking.

Final Thoughts

Inevitably, Kandersteg did not fail to impress me. Every time I visit Switzerland, I fall more and more in love with its landscapes, but this tiny alpine village has a preserved, traditional Swiss character that truly stole my heart.

Whether you are looking for pure adrenaline like mountain tubing, scenic train rides, or quiet hikes through hidden valleys like Gasterntal, Kandersteg offers the perfect balance between adventure and tranquility. It serves as an incredible base camp to explore the Bernese Oberland region, and its proximity to world-class lakes makes it a non-negotiable stop on any Swiss itinerary.

Continue exploring with my guides to Lake Blausee and Oeschinensee.