Oeschinen Lake & Panaroma Hike in Switzerland

OESCHINEN LAKE & PANAROMA HIKE

In this blog post, I will share with you our hiking route, alternative hiking routes, tips on epic little viewpoints, and all the details about how to get there, the best time of year to visit, and all the good stuff you need to know before you visit Oeschinensee (Oeschinen Lake).

• Hike Duration: 1 hour to Oeschinen Lake from Kandersteg (Additional for hiking around the lake)
• Hike Distance: 4km
• Hike Difficulty: Easy. Children on the trail. Short but steep. Hiking to the cabins is steeper but still safe.
• Hike Incline: Starting point at Kandersteg: 1,174m – Oeschinensee height: 1,578m

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HOW TO GET TO OESCHINENSEE (OESCHINEN LAKE)

To reach Oeschinensee from Zurich it will take about 2.5 hours on the train or 2 hours by car. You will need to arrive in the town of Kandersteg, which is also the name of the train station. From Kandersteg, the path is very well-signed and leads you across a small bridge to the ticket office/cable car ticketing station. Here there is a big map, which is a great visual to help you decide which route to take.

We decided to hike in (not that hard) rather than take the cable car, which as of 2019 was $30 USD return or $22 USD one way. The hike to the lake took us fifty minutes so it really isn’t value for money if you are physically capable as it isn’t a scenic cable car (by Swiss standards).

OESCHINENSEE MAP

As you can see on the map below there are several trails both to Oeschinen Lake and then when you arrive. We followed the yellow line to the Lake, while the dotted orange line is the cable car or trail beneath the cable car. Then when we arrived at Oeschinensee we hiked up along the orange line that borders the lake to Oberbergli and the cliffs on the backside of the lake below Rothorn. There is a trail that completely loops the lake but it is very dangerous, technical, and not well kept with ropes, chains, and the necessary aids.

OESCHINENSEE CABLE CAR OPTION

The cable car can take you from the ticketing office all the way up to the stop near Oeschinen Lake, which is where most people end their adventure. This means that you can reach the popular alpine lake with almost no walking. However, we continued to the back side of the lake and hiked to the cabins so you might find it a good option to the cable car up and then hike around the lake while you are up there. It wouldn’t be a bad idea as the walk up isn’t too spectacular although we had fun.

The cable car runs every 15 minutes from 7:30 am to 6 pm. To be sure of the current operating times you can check here.

KANDERSTEG TO OESCHINEN LAKE

As a group, we decided that hiking up the river trail would be the most fun. There is another route up to Oeschinensee that follows beneath the cable car but it looked a bit exposed in the sun and was seemingly just a set of relentless switchbacks up the hill. Your third and final option is the cable car to the lake, which I detailed above.

You can basically connect to the river at any point and follow the trail on the left as you head up towards Oeschinen Lake. We joined up with the river from the ticket office, once we had decided to head in that direction.

The hike up wound alongside the river and then dipped into the forest for some shade. At times it was quite steep and challenging and in other moments a leisurely stroll. Several waterfalls poured down the mountains on our right as we made our way up to the alpine lake.

The entire trip from Kandersteg train station to Oeschinensee took about 45-60 minutes. We arrived sweatily but not too fatigued to Oeschinensee.

HIKING AT OESCHINEN LAKE (OPTIONS)

Once you arrive at Oeschinen Lake you have several options to continue hiking.

• Hiking up to Kliental Cabin is a great option and you can see that on the map I shared earlier with the orange line. The trail to Kliental is quite steep but relatively safe and popular amongst all ages.
• Hiking up to the backside of the lake is also quite safe and offers a view of the entire lake while you sit on the grassy hills. This is where we spent the sunset (cover image at top of blog post) and is my overall favorite spot.
• You can also venture out to the left of the lake and visit the Toboggan/downhill slide area, which we were keen on but never made it to as we were distracted for hours by the hikes and cliffs around the lake. It looks like tons of fun.
• Panorama Walk: This route takes you alongside the lake at lake-level to the waterfalls and is the easiest and most popular route.

No matter what route you pick there will be some solid incline and a good level of adventure. The views will be worth it!

We hiked up to Unterbergli Cabin and Oberbergli Cabin and had a coffee and chill session. We then ventured around the back of the lake for a better view and a little exploration. We had originally planned to go up to Kliental Cabin but in the end, venturing around the backside on the hills was enough for us and had epic views. We stayed up here till sunset and then from here it only took us 1.5 hours to get all the way back to the train station in time for the last train at 10:30 pm.

These are my photos from our hikes and drone flights at Oeschinensee.

OESCHINEN LAKE ALTITUDE

Oeschinensee, another stunning lake in the Swiss Alps, is located at an altitude of approximately 1,578 meters, or around 5,177 feet above sea level. This beautiful mountain lake is situated near the town of Kandersteg, in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. The lake is known for its breathtakingly beautiful turquoise waters set against a backdrop of towering, snow-capped peaks.

OESCHINEN LAKE ALTITUDE

Oeschinensee, another stunning lake in the Swiss Alps, is located at an altitude of approximately 1,578 meters, or around 5,177 feet above sea level. This beautiful mountain lake is situated near the town of Kandersteg, in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. The lake is known for its breathtakingly beautiful turquoise waters set against a backdrop of towering, snow-capped peaks.

WINTER AT OESCHINEN LAKE

When winter arrives, the lake often freezes over and is blanketed by a layer of snow, transforming it into a winter wonderland. The frozen lake is surrounded by snow-covered mountain peaks, providing a picturesque landscape that is truly awe-inspiring. While the lake itself is a sight to behold, the winter season also offers a variety of activities for visitors. This includes winter hiking, snowshoeing, sledding, and ice fishing. The ice walk on the frozen lake is a unique experience that draws many visitors, but always be sure to check the safety of the ice first!

SUMMER AT OESCHINEN LAKE

In the summer months, Oeschinensee comes alive with vibrant colors. The ice melts to reveal the lake’s incredibly clear and turquoise blue water, reflecting the magnificent mountains surrounding it. The area around the lake turns into a lush meadow, with wildflowers dotting the landscape. Summer is the perfect time for hiking around the lake, picnicking on its banks, or even taking a refreshing dip in the water (though be prepared, the water can be quite chilly!). Boating is another popular activity, and rowboats are available for rent. The surrounding trails offer various hiking opportunities with stunning panoramic views of the lake and its surrounding peaks.

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE

The magnificent Oeschinen Lake is a significant element of the Jungfrau-Aletsch protected area, which was granted the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage status in 2001. This tranquil lake adds to the area’s stunning beauty and is a vital component of the world’s natural heritage.

ORIGINS OF OESCHINENSEE

The lake’s water primarily comes from the glacial melt of the three surrounding mountains: Blüemlisalp, Doldenhorn, and Fründenhorn. This gives the lake its distinct turquoise color during the summer months.

I hope you enjoyed this guide to Oeschinen Lake (Oeschinensee) in Switzerland!

SWISS TRAVEL PASS or HALF-FARE CARD

OPTION 1: Buy the Swiss Half Fare Card: Switzerland trains, buses, and cable cars are EXPENSIVE! I found the best way to get around cheaply was to buy the Swiss Half-Fare Card before I arrived. It gives you 50% off every regular train, bus, and even many cable cars. It only costs $150 USD but pays itself off in just a few days with many train tickets in Switzerland costing close to $100 alone. If you are staying for more than 5 days, I suggest buying the Swiss Half-Fare Card.

OPTION 2: Buy the Swiss Travel Pass: The second option is to get the Swiss Travel Pass, which gives you unlimited train, bus, and (many) cable car rides but it’s pretty expensive at around $100 USD per day so if you don’t travel each day it isn’t worth it.

OPTION 3: Buy the FLEXI Swiss Travel Pass: The final (BEST) option is to get the FLEXI Swiss Travel Pass, which allows you to buy 8 days’ worth of transit but you can choose the night before if you want to activate the next day. That way you don’t need to travel every day to get your money’s worth, you can just activate the FLEXI Swiss Travel Pass on the days when you are doing sizeable transits. My advice is to book the Swiss Half-Fare Card or the FLEXI Swiss Travel Pass in advance before your trip so it’s ready to go when you arrive.

GET A SWISS TRAVEL PASS!

Enjoy UNLIMITED train, boat, and bus rides in Switzerland for up to 15 days. Click to book a flex Swiss Travel Pass or choose the Consecutive Swiss Travel Pass.

The Swiss Travel Pass starts at $260 for 3 days. Click here to check if it’s available on your travel dates.

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MY SWITZERLAND HIKING GUIDES

I spent 100 days hiking in Switzerland and created a guide for different regions around the country. You can click on one of my Switzerland hiking guides below to help you plan your trip.

• The Complete Guide: 50 AWESOME HIKES IN IN SWITZERLAND
• The Via Ferrata Guide: 4 EPIC SWITZERLAND VIA FERRATA COURSES
• Lauterbrunnen Guide: 10 AWESOME HIKES NEAR LAUTERBRUNNEN
• Interlaken Guide: 15 AWESOME HIKES IN INTERLAKEN
• Grindelwald Guide: 12 AWESOME HIKES NEAR GRINDELWALD:
• Mürren Guide: 7 AWESOME HIKES IN MURREN
• Appenzell Guide: 9 AWESOME HIKES NEAR APPENZELL
• Chur Guide: 7 AWESOME HIKES NEAR CHUR

MY SWITZERLAND TRAVEL TIPS

• For Backpackers: SWITZERLAND BUDGET BACKPACKING GUIDE
• Travel Tips: 20 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING SWITZERLAND
• Transport Tips: RENTING AND DRIVING A CAR IN SWITZERLAND
• Accommodation Guide: 30 BEST PLACES TO STAY IN SWITZERLAND