D4 ⌂ 66 km (41 miles) SE of Bern £ Kandersteg railway station # Cable car, electric shuttle, toboggan run: hours vary, check website ∑ oeschinensee.ch/en
Cradled between glaciers and ancient pine woods and surrounded by fiercely steep mountains, the turquoise Oeschinensee is one of Switzerland’s most stunning glacial lakes. It is also the western gateway to the Jungfrau Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site.
t Boating on the sparkling waters of Oeschinensee against an awe-inspiring backdrop of snowy peaks
Few places in the country are as picture perfect as the exquisite Oeschinensee, nestled between the sheer drop of the Blüemlisalp and a prettily wooded shore. Set at a height of 1,578 m (5,177 ft), the lake is usually frozen in winter. Ice skating is possible some years, while ice fishing is a popular activity from January to March: the lake is home to delicious rainbow trout and Arctic char. Some gentle skiing is also available on the slopes surrounding the lake. The lake is at its best during the summer, when its crystal-clear waters beckon brave swimmers: fed by a series of mountain creeks, the water remains ice cold all year. Kayaking and hiking lure outdoorsy types, while thrill-seekers make a beeline for an exhilarating via ferrata (protected climbing route) and the epic summer toboggan run. Most visitors just come to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings with a picnic hamper full of tasty local produce. The easiest way to access the lake is via the cable car from the village of Kandersteg, followed by a short shuttle ride or a pleasant 25-minute walk.
t In winter, visitors and locals come out to ice skate and walk on the frozen Oeschinensee.
Experience Mittelland, Bernese Oberland and Valais
Via Ferrata
The mountain village of Kandersteg is the starting point of the Kandersteg-Allmenalp via ferrata. Starting at the railway station, this tough climb soon becomes vertical, and requires the use of iron cam hooks drilled into the rock. The Allmibach river itself is crossed using two rope bridges.