Kandersteg - Tourism

Tourism

A broad spectrum of accommodation characterises the village: from 5-star hotel to holiday apartments and camping sites. The International Scout Centre is located at the edge of the village. More than 11,000 scouts from all over the world visit each year. Several mountain huts belonging to the Swiss Alpine Club are located in the valley.

The Kander Valley boasts an extensive network of hiking trail from the valley floor to the mountaintops and passes. The most famous routes lead to the canton of Valais, across the Gemmi Pass straight to Leukerbad (with cable cars operating at each end) or through the wild Gastern valley across the higher Lötschen Pass to the Lötschental.

Lake Oeschinen is considered to be one of the most attractive in Switzerland and can be accessed by the cablecar Kandersteg-Oeschinen, which replaced the chairlift that operated until September 7, 2008. Other cable cars serve the areas of Sunnbüel and Allmenalp.

In winter over 50 kilometres of cross-country skiing tracked trails (classic and skating) are available in the valley floor and higher. Small ski areas (downhill) are located near Lake Oeschinen and Sunnbüel. A winter trail network connects the village to Blausee and to the Gemmi Pass. Other winter activities include skating, curling, ice climbing and ice fishing.

Near Kandersteg is located the Ricola Alpine garden. Other attractions in the village include a 16th century parish church.