[Switzerland 2023] Day 6: Kandersteg | Visiting Blausee & Oeschinensee + Dinner at Weidstübli Restaurant
By Elin Chow - Monday, November 13, 2023
Photo By: Elin Chow
Kandersteg is a high altitude resort village in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. Set at the foot of Bluemlisalp massif, the traditional Alpine village will impress you with its magnificent mountains scenery and amazing turquoise lakes. However, Kandersteg is a lesser known destination in Switzerland as it is often overshadowed by more famous attractions like Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald and Zermatt. Due to that, Kandersteg is less crowded than the other famous destinations.
We took a day trip to Kandersteg because we really wanted to visit Blausee. Blausee is a mountain lake located between Kandersteg and Frutigen. We have included it in our itinerary after seeing pictures of the beautiful lake on social medias. As it takes more than an hour to travel from Lauterbrunnen to Kandersteg, we also planned to visit Oeschinensee since they are located rather close to each other.
To get to Blausee, we'll first need to travel to Kandersteg Station or Frutigen Station. From Lauterbrunnen, we took the train to Interlaken Ost. From there, we had to change to another train to Spiez. In Spiez, we had to change to another train again to Frutigen. In total, we had to change trains twice just to get from Lauterbrunnen to Frutigen.
An one-way, second class ticket from Lauterbrunnen to Frutigen costs 13.10 CHF with a Half Fare Card. If you hold a Swiss Travel Pass, you can travel on this route for free. I would highly recommend you to check the train timetable and information on SBB Mobile app. The app will keep you updated throughout your journey with real-time information about delay and transfer times. To search for the train timetable from Lauterbrunnen to Blausee, you have to enter Lauterbrunnen as the departure point and Blausee BE as the arrival point.
It took 1 hour 21 minutes to travel from Lauterbrunnen to Frutigen. At Frutigen, we had to change to Bus 230 to get to Blausee.
The bus departs hourly from right outside the Frutigen train station. Kandersteg is the final stop, so you can take the bus from either station. As there is only one bus every hour, make sure you manage your time well.
A one way bus ticket from Frutigen to Blausee costs 2.60 CHF with a Half Fare Card. If you have a Swiss Travel Pass or a Kandersteg Guest Card, you can take the bus for free.
The bus ride from Frutigen to Blausee takes about 16 minutes. From Blausee BE bus stop, , it is just a five-minute walk to the entrance of Blausee Nature Park, and a further five-minute walk to the lake. For those who drive, there is a large parking lot in front of the entrance.
ENTRANCE FEE
Unlike all other lakes in Switzerland, the Blausee is a private lake owned by the Blausee Corporation. The lake is located in a nature park with several picnic spots, scenic walkways and a playground for kids. Other than the lake, the company also owns and operates a hotel and spa, two restaurants, an organic trout farm, as well as the souvenir shop at the entrance of the park. Therefore, there is an entrance fee to enter the park.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the souvenir shop at the entrance of the nature park. Prices of entrance fees vary depending on season, and can range from 8 CHF to 13 CHF. You can check out the prices on their website. If you have a Kandersteg Guest Card, you will get a 50% discount on the entrance ticket.
It is more expensive if you visit on the weekends or public holidays, but it is slightly cheaper if you visit after 4 pm or during the non-peak seasons (winter months). Kids under the age of 5 can enter the park for free. Dogs are also allowed to enter the park for free, but they must be kept on leash at all times.
The Blausee nature park is open all year round, from 9.00 am to 9.00 pm. After passing the ticket turnstile, it is a five-minute walk through the mossy forest to the Blausee. The paths are well-paved, making it accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
As the nature park is easily accessible by public transport, it can get exceptionally crowded with both local and foreign tourists in the peak summer seasons of July and August. If you would like to enjoy some peaceful time at the lake, it is best that you visit early in the morning.
Spanning 20 hectares, Blausee Nature Park is a beautiful oasis of nature that offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Despite its small size, Blausee is one of the best known mountain lakes in Switzerland. Blausee literally means "Blue Lake". Named for its color, the lake is known for its striking crystal-clear blue-green waters. However, the color of the lake changes throughout the day depending on sunlight, shifting from turquoise to emerald green.
Unlike Lake Brienz, the blueness of Blausee is not caused by the tiny sediments in the water. The Blausee is fed by the groundwater flowing from the Kander Valley. The extraordinary color is due to the clarity of the lake. As only the red part of the light spectrum is being absorbed by the clear water, the blue parts are left behind for us to see.
However, legend has it that the blueness of the lake comes from the tears of a maiden, who died in the lake while grieving for her lover. In memory of the legend of Blausee, an artist and sculptor named Raphael Fuchs had created a stone statue of the maiden, and placed it in the lake near the bridge on the left side.
Blausee is said to be created from a landslide from Fisistock mountain more than 15,000 years ago. The landslide caused huge ice slabs from the Kandersteg Glacier to fall into the valley and left holes in the ground. After the ice melted, it created Blausee.
Surrounded by lush forests and majestic mountains, the lake is undoubtedly a sight to behold. It is especially beautiful if you visit on a sunny day when the hue of blues are their most vibrant.
We instantly fell in love with the lake the minute we saw it. Clear, pristine and glistening, the beauty of the lake left us speechless. When the water is calm and still, the lake even offers a breathtaking reflection of the surrounding landscape. In general, the wind is the weakest in the morning. Therefore, the best time to photograph Blausee will be early in the morning.
Although the lake has a maximum depth of 12 meters, you can still clearly see the rocks and logs below the sparkling surface. The remarkably clear waters actually makes the lake appear shallower than it really is.
The lake is actually part of the trout farm. The water in the lake is so clear that you can see every detail of the fish swimming in it. Do note that you are not allowed to swim or feed the fish in the lake. Also, don't bother packing your fishing gear though as fishing is not allowed.
However, certified divers can request to dive in the beautiful lake during the winter season from November to March. The high visibility and unique underwater landscapes make it an ideal spot for diving. For those who are interested to make a dive in Blausee, the cost per person is 99 CHF. A 4-course gourmet meal at Blausee Restaurant is also included in the dive package. However, it will be quite cold as the water temperature of Blausee constantly remains at around 8 Degree Celsius all year round.
You can taste the trout at the Blausee restaurant. You can check out the menu on their website. There is also a cafe where you can enjoy a cup of coffee/tea with some snacks while watching the trout leaping in the water.
Within the nature park, you will also find several paths that wind through the enchanting forest, around the picturesque lake. While most of the park is stroller friendly, a few portions of these forest paths are not paved, and therefore are not wheelchair or stroller accessible.
It is a fairy easy trail and takes about 25 minutes to complete. Walking through the forest trail is another great way to discover the beauty of Blausee Nature Park.
Blausee is stunning throughout the year, but Autumn is the most beautiful time to visit the lake. During Autumn, the shimmering lake is surrounded by colorful fall foliage, which makes it look even more magical.
In the nature park, you can enjoy taking a leisurely stroll along the shoreline, have a picnic by the lake, or simply sit back and take in the beauty of the surroundings. There is a well-paved path around the lake with several benches to sit. A walk along the path will allow you to enjoy the beauty of the lake from various angles.
You can easily spend half a day here just admiring the beauty of the nature that surrounds you. The serene beauty, fresh air and tranquil surroundings make it a perfect place to relax and unwind.
Other than taking a leisurely stroll around the lake, you can also explore the lake with a glass bottom boat tour. The boat tour is included in the entrance fee. A glass bottom boat ride is an unique experience that allows you to see the stunning underwater scenery without getting wet.
After spending three hours at Blausee, we hopped on Bus 230 again to Kandersteg station. We had planned to visit the Oeschinensee, a beautiful alpine lake nestled in the mountains above the village of Kandersteg.
Kandersteg is a small farming village with a population of 1,200. Located along the valley of Kander River, the village is famous for its spectacular mountains and alpine landscapes.
From Kandersteg station, it is a 15 minutes walk to the valley station of the Kandsersteg-Oeschinensee gondola. Oeschinensee is located high in the mountains, and you can either ride a gondola up or hike up to the top.
It is very easy to walk from the train station to the gondola station. Simply follow the direction signs or you can also navigate with Google maps. Although there is a bus that runs from Kandersteg station to the gondola station, the service is infrequent. Furthermore, it does not coordinate with the bus or train schedules. Therefore, it is actually faster to walk to the gondola station than to wait for the bus.
Nestled in the heart of Bernese Alps, the jaw-dropping views of this charming Swiss village are hard to forget. The village itself exudes a peaceful and traditional atmosphere, with the mountains rising majestically above its wooden chalets. A leisurely stroll through the village will give you a glimpse of the traditional Swiss Alpine lifestyle.
Following the path along Oeschibach stream, we arrived at the valley station of Oeschinenensee gondola. For those who drive here, there is a large car park right next to the Oeschinensee gondola station. If it is full, there is another large parking lots located 10 minutes walk from the gondola station.
Gondola tickets can be purchased online or on-site at the ticketing counter at the station. A round-trip gondola ticket costs 15 CHF with a Half Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass. Guests with Kandesteg Guest Card can enjoy 20% discount on the gondola ride. Dogs are welcome at Oeschinensee and can travel on the gondola for free. However, they should be kept on leash to prevent them from attacking the wild animals.
Before heading to the top, you might also want check the weather webcam to avoid disappointment. It is not worth getting to the top when the visibility is low.
The gondola does not come to a complete halt, but it will slow down considerately so that you can easily get in and out. It takes only10 minutes for the gondola to take you to the top station.
After a short scenic ride, we arrived at the top station. Right behind Oeschinen mountain station, you will find the 750-meters long summer toboggan run. The toboggan is only open in the dry weather during summer months. It costs CHF 6 per ride.
We didn't ride the toboggan run as the weather was simply too hot to bear. It is definitely not fun to slide down the mountains in the scorching hot sun. I suggest riding this before you walk out to explore the mountains and lake because the lines can get really long in the afternoon when the crowds arrive.
Feeling hungry, we found a bench at the station to sit down and enjoy our packed lunches.
As soon as we stepped out of the gondola station, the panoramic vista instantly took our breath away. We were surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains, lush meadows and ancient woods of pine in all directions.
There are various hiking and walking trails to explore the mountains, nature and the lake. Whether you are a beginner or experienced hiker, there is something for everyone to hike. You can find up-to-date information about the hiking trails on the website.
From the gondola top station, it is a 30 minutes walk to the lake. It is a fairly easy stroll along lush alpine meadows with stunning panoramic views of the Bernese Alps. The direct path to the lake is flat and is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.
Alternatively, you can also pay to ride the E-shuttle bus to get to the lake. The environmentally friendly electric shuttle runs daily between the gondola station and the Berghotel Oeschinensee throughout the summer season. The shuttle departs every half hour, or when fully occupied, from 11 am to 4.30 pm. Hours of service may be extended to 5.30 pm during peak season.
Adult ticket for the E-shuttle costs 10 CHF per way. Although the E-shuttle is a bit expensive, it is a great way for people with reduced mobility to visit the lake. Of course, you can also take the E-shuttle if you would like to skip the walk.
We chose to walk instead of taking the E-shuttle. Following the dirt path, we eventually came to a "Y" intersection with Trail 4 on the right, and Trail 5 on the left. Trail 4 will take you directly to the lake. So, if you want to go directly to the lake without hike, you can take Trail 4.
Trail 5 will lead you steeply up to the Lager-Oeschinensee viewpoint and continue to the famous Heuberg-Oberbargli trail. Also known as the Oeschinensee Panorama trail, the 8.5 kilometer hike takes you through mountains above the lake.
No matter which route you choose, it will take 20 minutes walk to Oeschinensee. The only difference is you will see the lake from different viewpoints.
We chose to take trail 5 via Lager to Oeschinensee. However, we only hiked to the Lager viewpoint as the Panorama hike is not for everyone. It is considered quite a difficult hike due to its distance and elevation gains. The mountain trails are very steep and narrow, making it challenging even for experienced hikers.
However, the hike offers breathtaking views of Oeschinensee, alpine meadows and the surrounding peaks. In fact, most of the pictures that you see of Oeschinensee are taken from this trail. The trail will take you higher up in the mountains, giving you a bird's eye view of the lake.
Even if you have no intention of hiking the Panorama trail, I would still highly recommend you to take trail 5 to the Lager viewpoint. Although not as spectacular as the Panorama trail, the Lager viewpoint also offer a beautiful bird's eye view of the lake.
The gravel path winds through open meadows and passes clusters of pine trees. Along the way, you will find plenty of benches to take a rest and catch your breath, or just stop and enjoy the stunning views that surrounds you for a minute.
After about 20 minutes, you will come to a small hut with a gorgeous viewpoint of the stunning blue lake.
Surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks, the lake glistens a breathtaking turquoise blue in the sun. The color of the 56 meters deep lake changes between blue and green throughout the day depending on sunlight. Just like Blausee, Oeschinensee was formed by several landslides of the flanks of the Frundenhorn and the Doldenhorn. The debris masses that broke off at the Doldenhorn formed a natural dam, which is fed by a series of mountain creeks and drains underground.
It is possible to swim in the lake as it warms up to 20 Degree Celsius in summer. However, as it is a glacial lake, the water will still be very cold. You can also rent a rowing boat and explore the lake in the warm summer months. The lake will be frozen during the winter months. You can actually walk over the ice lake when it is frozen!
After spending three hours at the lake, we took the gondola back down to the valley station, and then made our way back to Lauterbrunnen by train. It was dinner time when we arrived back in Lauterbrunnen. We decided to eat out at Weidstubli Restaurant, which is a Swiss restaurant located on the grounds of the Camping Jungfrau campsite.
The reason we chose to eat here is because this is one of the popular restaurants in Lauterbrunnen with plenty of good reviews. Reservations are highly recommended, especially if you want to sit outdoor, as the place can get really crowded during dinner time.
We decided to try our luck as we didn’t have a reservation. However, we were really lucky and got a table right away without waiting. The restaurant is built in 1987 in typical Swiss chalet style. Decorated with rustic wood furnishings and soft orange lights, the entire space exudes a warm, cozy and inviting ambience that instantly makes you feel at home.
Fortunately, the food absolutely lives up to the appealing atmosphere. The restaurant serves a variety of traditional Swiss cuisines at a fairly affordable price. You can check out the menu on their website.
Price: 23 CHF
We ordered their classic Cheese Fondue. The dish is made with a combination swiss cheeses along with white wine, and served in a caquelon over a portable stove heated with a candle. It comes with bite-sized rustic bread cube, garlic, nutmeg and pickles.
The way to eat it is to dip the bread in the bubbling melted cheese pot, swirl for a few seconds to coat the bread and eat it. Be careful not to soak the bread for too long, or else you might lose your bread in the fondue. The fire beneath keeps the fondue at constant temperature to prevent it from solidifying.
Rich and savour, the cheese fondue is bursting with flavor. The wine not only add depth and complexity to the dish, but also keeps the mixture smooth. If you are a cheese lover, you will definitely love the cheese fondue here. It does not taste heavy, which makes it extremely satisfying to eat.
Price: 29 CHF
Grilled to perfection, the lamb is equally delicious as well. It is slightly charred on the outside, and tender and juicy on the inside. I also love the ratatouille that comes together with the dish. It is sweet and sour, and goes absolutely well with the meat.
This is the first time I had tasted wild rice. It taste grainy and has a toasty and nutty flavor. Compared to white rice, wild rice has a slightly crunchy texture. But as an Asian who grew up eating white rice, I could not really accept the texture of wild rice. To me, white rice taste so much better than wild rice.
Overall, we had a wonderful experience eating at the restaurant. The food was delicious and reasonably priced. The ambience was great and the servers were polite and friendly as well. They spoke fluent English, so we had no problems communicating with them. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Lauterbrunnen. If I have a chance to visit Switzerland again in the future, I will definitely love to visit this restaurant again!
The Weidstubli Restaurant is open from Wednesday to Friday from 3.00 pm to 10.30 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm to 10.30 pm. Do note that the restaurant will be on long annual holidays at the end of the year. You may want to check out for any announcement on their website before visiting to avoid disappointment.
If you are interested to know more about our trip, you may want to check out our 11D10 Switzerland Trip Itinerary + Overview post. Be sure to follow me on my Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to get the latest updates on my blog! Also, do not forget to share my blog posts with your family and friends if you find them helpful. In the meantime, you might also want to check My Wanderlust page for some of my other travel adventures.
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