Kandersteg in summer
Mountains, a lake, and plenty of time outdoors
Kandersteg is the perfect base for hikes, bike tours and a trip to Lake Oeschinen — all within walking distance of the Adler.
The surrounding mountains enchant everyone who comes to Kandersteg. Whether a gentle stroll or a full-day mountain tour, a family outing or a shot of adrenaline — in summer the village becomes base camp for everything the Bernese Alps have to offer. Chalet-Hotel Adler is five minutes on foot from the station and ten from the gondola up to Lake Oeschinen.
Lake Oeschinen
For most guests Lake Oeschinen is the great destination: a turquoise mountain lake enclosed by rock faces nearly two thousand metres high, part of the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a ten-minute walk from our front door to the gondola, and the ride up takes around seven minutes.
A return ticket costs between CHF 18.50 and CHF 36 depending on your reduction — correspondingly less with a Half Fare travelcard or GA. From the mountain station it is a further twenty minutes on foot to the shore, an easy walk that works well with children.
If you would rather go up entirely on foot, the climb from the village takes around an hour and a half. Many guests ride up and walk back down — that is the finest option of all.
The three hikes guests ask about most
To Lake Oeschinen: the classic, manageable for almost anyone, with easy circular paths along the shore and the option of climbing on towards the Blüemlisalp hut.
To the Doldenhorn hut: the more demanding ascent, with a panorama that repays the effort — a proper day tour for experienced walkers.
Over the Gemmi Pass: the great crossing to Leukerbad in Valais, a historic mule track through high alpine terrain. A full day stage, so set off early.
Which route suits your particular day depends on the weather and conditions. Ask us at reception — we will tell you honestly what is feasible and what is better left for another time.
Tennis right by the station
An outdoor tennis court sits directly beside Kandersteg station — ideal for a game between arrival and checking in, or as a change of pace after a day of hiking.
Mountain tubing at the Nordic Arena
New in Kandersteg: race down the outrun of the ski jump at the Nordic Arena on an inflatable tube — fun for the whole family, and normally a pleasure reserved for winter sledging.
Biking and downhill
A downhill route runs from Sunnbüel into the valley, alongside numerous mountain bike tours of varying difficulty around Kandersteg — from a gentle descent to a demanding trail stage.
Paragliding
To experience the mountains from above, take off on a tandem paraglider flight from Kandersteg — a few minutes you will not forget, with clear views over the village, Lake Oeschinen and the peaks of the Bernese Oberland.
And plenty more
Kandersteg is a paradise for sports enthusiasts and nature lovers: climbing, archery, minigolf or simply a picnic by the river — every holiday day has its match, before you head back to the Adler in the evening, where the 30°C pool is waiting for tired legs.