Our final day in Berner Oberland brought a mix of sunshine, clouds, and the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation. We took the train to Kandersteg, rode the gondola up to Oeschinensee, and started the morning with an exhilarating run on the mountain toboggan before setting out on the Lake Oeschinen Loop. This high-alpine hike wound past waterfalls, cliffs, and wildflower meadows with nonstop views of the glacier-fed turquoise lake below. The terrain was steep and rocky in places, but the scenery was nothing short of spectacular. Along the way, we shared the trail with a few curious cows, including one that tried to steal my lunch right off the beach near the lakeshore. As clouds rolled in, we swapped mountain vistas for lakeside charm, visiting Spiez Castle, taking the Lake Thun ferry, and watching local surfers ride the standing river wave in Thun.

🗓️ Itinerary

This plan came from our August 27, 2025 visit (Day 8), based in Lauterbrunnen.

🥾 Kandersteg and Oeschinensee

• 🌦️ Check Oeschinensee webcam 
• ☕️ Breakfast at accommodation
• 🚆 7:01 AM – Transit: Lauterbrunnen → Oeschinensee (2h)
  • 🚆 7:01 AM – Train: Lauterbrunnen → Interlaken Ost (22m, every 30m at xx:01/:31 from 5:31 AM – 11 PM)
    • 🚌 The Lauterbrunnen → Zweilütschinen train was replaced with a bus due to damage along the route
  • 🚆 7:29 AM – Train: Interlaken Ost → Spiez (24m, every 30m at xx:29/:59 from 5:29 AM – 11 PM, 💡Sit on right side for Lake Thun views)
  • 🚆 8:12 AM – Train: Spiez → Kandersteg (28m, hourly at xx:12 from 7:12 AM – 10 PM)
  • 🚶‍♂️ Walk: Kandersteg Bahnhof → Kandersteg, Talstat. Oeschinen (15m)
  • 🚠 8:55 AM – Gondola: Kandersteg (Talstat. Oeschinen) → Oeschinen (Bergstation) (8m, every 5m from 8:30 AM – 6 PM, 🎟️ Included with Berner Oberland Pass but still need to get paper ticket from booth at the entry)
• 🛷 9:00 AM – Oeschinensee Toboggan Run (open 9 AM – 5 PM)
  • 🏔️ One of the most scenic toboggan rides in Switzerland – stunning alpine lake and mountain backdrop
  • 🚶‍♂️ Walk from gondola (5m) to toboggan area
  • 🎟️  Purchase onsite at ticket machine: CHF 6/ride (discounts for multi-ride passes)
  • 🎢 ~5m/run (loop w/lift mechanism that pulls sled & rider back up to start, minimal lines in morning)
• 🥾 9:15 AM – Hike Lake Oeschinen Loop
  • ⏰ 2.5-4h, 5.5-6.1 mi loop with photo and snack stops
  • 🌊 Alpine Trail Loop: Bergstation → Heuberg → Oberbärgli → Unterbärgli → Oeschinensee → Bergstation (Route D→G→E→C) with panoramic views of Oeschinensee (Lake Oeschinen)
  • 🔁 Go clockwise for less steep up (steeper down), views of lake entire hike and ending with lake
  • 🥤 Optional: Short stop/detour to Unterbärgli/Oberbergli for mountain hut refreshment
• 🧺 12:00 AM – Picnic along lake (Backup: Berghotel Oeschinensee)
• 🚣 12:30 PM – Optional: Rowboat rental (30-60m), swim and/or short shoreline walk (⏰time/weather permitting)
• 🚠 1:30 PM – Gondola: Oeschinensee → Kandersteg (8m, every 5m from 8:30 AM – 6 PM)
• ☕️ Optional: Stroll through Kandersteg and coffee stop
• 🚶‍♂️ 1:40 PM – Walk to Kandersteg train station (15m)
• 🚆 2:14 PM – Train: Kandersteg → Spiez (30m, every 60m at x:14)

⛴️ Lake Thun Ferry: Spiez → Thun

• 🏰 Explore Spiez and stroll through Schloss Spiez and gardens (30m)
• 🚶‍♂️ Walk (5m) to ferry station from Schloss Spiez
• ⛴️ 3:34 PM – Ferry: Spiez Schiffstation → Thun (46m, hourly at xx:34, 🌦️weather permitting)
• 🏰 Explore Thun and stroll through Schloss Thun
• 🚆 5:24 PM – Train: Thun → Interlaken Ost (25m at xx:24/:54)
• 🍽️ Dinner in Interlaken @ Lal Qila
• 🚆 7:04 PM – Train: Interlaken Ost → Lauterbrunnen (22m, every 30m at xx:04/:34 from 6 AM – 10:04 PM, 🚌 Same bus transfer requirement at Zweilutschinen)
• 🛌 7:30 PM – Return to Lauterbrunnen for sunset

💡 Tips

• 🌦️ Check webcams early: Always check the live Oeschinensee webcam before departing – weather in the Alps can shift quickly, and the lake’s signature turquoise glow fades under clouds. We built a flex day into our itinerary specifically for this hike, which paid off. Arriving early rewarded us with brilliant sunshine and crystal-clear water before clouds rolled in and rain began just as we left the lakeshore – perfect timing that made all the difference.
• 🎟️ Travel Pass: The Berner Oberland Pass covers the full route (Lauterbrunnen → Oeschinensee).
• 🚌 Check the SBB website or app for any unexpected transit issues: Lauterbrunnen → Zweilütschinen leg was replaced with a bus due to track damage
• 🎟️ Paper ticket required: Even with the pass, you must stop at the Kandersteg gondola booth to get a printed ticket.
• 🛷 Toboggan timing: Ride as soon as it opens at 9 AM to avoid crowds
• 🥾 Footwear: Wear sturdy hiking boots with good traction – parts of the Oeschinensee Loop are steep, rocky, and can get slippery, especially after rain. Some sections have narrow drop-offs, so solid footing makes a big difference for both safety and comfort on the descent.
• 🔁 Loop direction: Hike clockwise for gentler climbs, continuous lake views, and a scenic finish along the shore.
• 📵 Drone ban: Flying drones is strictly prohibited in the Oeschinensee area.

📸 Summary

🚠 Kandersteg Gondola to Oeschinen Bergstation

After a short (~12m, 0.6 mi) walk from the Kandersteg train station, you reach the Oeschinensee gondola station. The gondola to Oeschinen Bergstation is a scenic ascent (8m) that sets the tone for the adventure ahead. Gliding high above pine forests, chalets and waterfalls, the ride offers sweeping views of the Bernese Alps and the valley unfolding below. In just eight minutes, you rise from a charming mountain village to a pristine alpine world where Oeschinensee and a toboggan adventure await you.

🛷 Oeschinensee Toboggan Run

Few thrills match flying down a mountainside surrounded by alpine meadows and snow-capped peaks. The Rodelbahn Oeschinensee (toboggan run) delivers pure, carefree fun with panoramic views of the Blüemlisalp range as you twist and turn through the hillside. Though the lake itself isn’t visible from the track, the dramatic mountain backdrop and crisp mountain air make it a short but unforgettable ride – especially early in the morning before the lines begin to form. Check out the stats and loop below, which shows the fast descent in red and slow ascents in blue.

Other Videos: Insta360 X5 at 4X speed, Insta360 GO 3S at 4X speed

📈 Toboggan Stats

Time: 5 minutes
Distance: 0.5 miles
Max Elevation: 5,669 ft
Max Speed: 17.9 mph
Garmin Data

🥾 Lake Oeschinen Loop

The Lake Oeschinen loop captures the essence of Swiss perfection, winding past towering cliffs, alpine meadows, and cascading waterfalls with constant views of the vibrant turquoise Oeschinensee below. The trail combines postcard-worthy scenery with just enough challenge to keep things exciting, including rocky climbs, uneven terrain, and narrow ledges that hug the mountainside. Along the way, you’ll pass grazing cows and wildflowers bursting with color, all framed by snow-dusted peaks that seem to rise straight out of the glacier-fed lake. It’s a dynamic, high-alpine adventure that feels both wild and serene, offering some of the most breathtaking lake vistas in Switzerland.

📈 Hiking Stats

Time: 1:54 moving, 3:52 elapsed to allow photo and snack stops
Distance: 6.1 miles (9.8 km)
Max Elevation: 6,638 ft
Cumulative Ascent: 2,790 ft
Cumulative Descent: 2,806 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Direction: Hiking clockwise is the most rewarding way to experience the trail. Starting uphill from the gondola (Bergstation) via the Alpine Trail leads to a gentler ascent through forested paths before opening onto sweeping panoramic viewpoints over the lake. From this direction, the turquoise water stays in view for nearly the entire hike, giving you constant photo opportunities as you traverse the ridge toward Oberbärgli and descend beside the shoreline. It also means the steepest section is downhill along the Mountain Trail, saving your energy for the most scenic finale right along the lake’s edge – perfect for a picnic or a refreshing swim at the end. Our mileage is a little more than the standard 5.5-mile AllTrails loop because we took a few detours for overlooks (see the two red offshoots after the Heuberg overlook). We don’t recommend the one right after Heuberg because the view was blocked by trees and it was a little treacherous. We highly recommend the second detour, a little after 2-miles. It’s a short descent to the best overlook of the hike – phenomenal views, minimal people, and grassy flat area great for a scenic rest stop.
Additional Resources: Garmin Data, AllTrails Lake Oeschinen Loop, Full Suitcase Tips

👀 Overlooks

Scattered along the ridge and during the descent are constant overlooks of the lake. Some appear unexpectedly as the trees thin out, offering fresh perspectives of Oeschinensee’s turquoise waters and the dramatic cliffs that frame it. The most popular is the Heuberg, but we found one we coined the “Best Overlook.” The many viewpoints add variety and make the journey feel full of surprise and discovery.

Heuberg Overlook

The Heuberg Overlook is one of the most popular viewpoints, and it’s easy to see why. From this ridge, you get sweeping views over the turquoise lake and surrounding peaks, framed by a few picturesque alpine trees that make for great photos. There are also several benches here, perfect for a quick rest. It’s a beautiful stop – though often quite crowded – and while definitely worth a pause, the best and quieter overlooks still lie farther ahead on the trail.

Best Overlook

A little past the 2-mile mark, we stumbled upon what we dubbed the “Best Overlook” of the entire hike – a short, easy descent that opens to a grassy plateau with jaw-dropping views of Oeschinensee and the surrounding peaks. This spot had minimal crowds, making it the perfect place to sit back, snack, and soak in the quiet majesty of the Alps. With the lake shimmering far below and cowbells echoing in the distance, it felt like a secret corner of paradise tucked away from the main trail.

Other Overlooks Along Trail

🐄 Oeschinensee Beach and Cow Encounters

Our hike turned into an unforgettable Swiss adventure thanks to three very memorable cow encounters! One blocked our path like a stubborn trail guardian, another – horns and all – decided to test my nerves by getting a little too close for comfort, and down by the lakeshore, a particularly curious cow tried to steal my lunch right off the beach (see Cowbells in the Alps Video). A few especially chill cows even relaxed right on the beach, soaking up the views beside the turquoise water – the perfect touch to an authentically Swiss hiking experience.

🏡 Kandersteg

Framed by towering limestone walls, Kandersteg is a peaceful alpine village of wooden chalets, and flower boxes. Enjoy a slow-paced stroll or cappuccino before catching the train.

⛴️ Lake Thun Ferry: Spiez to Thun

The Lake Thun ferry is one of the most relaxing and scenic ways to experience the Bernese Oberland – and it’s a great rainy-weather activity when the mountains are hidden in clouds. Departing from Spiez, the boat glides across deep blue water framed by vineyard-covered hillsides, storybook villages, and the distant peaks of the Niesen and Stockhorn mountains. Even on a gloomy day, the mist drifting over the lake adds a peaceful, moody charm. Along the route, you’ll pass towns like Faulensee and Oberhofen, home to the storybook Schloss Oberhofen perched right on the water. For our visit to Schloss Oberhofen, check out our Castles, Chemistry & Capital Charm along the Lakes of Switzerland blog. The journey ends in Thun, where the castle and old town come into view – a cozy, scenic way to make the most of a gray Swiss afternoon.

🏰 Spiez

Perched on a vine-covered hillside beside Lake Thun, Spiez blends small-town charm with scenic beauty. The highlight is Schloss Spiez, a storybook castle overlooking the harbor and mountain-backed vineyards. From the promenade, it’s a short walk to the ferry dock bound for Thun.

🏄‍♂️ Thun

Thun pairs medieval character with lakeside elegance – cobblestone lanes, flower-lined bridges, and riverside cafés along the Aare River. Climb to Schloss Thun for sweeping lake views before ending your day amid the town’s old-world atmosphere and alpine backdrop. For our first visit to Schloss Thun, check out our Castles, Chemistry & Capital Charm along the Lakes of Switzerland blog.

Don’t miss the wooden Mühleschleuse, an iconic covered bridge that crosses the Aare and offers a perfect vantage point to watch local surfers ride the river’s “Monster” wave right in the city center – a thrilling contrast to Thun’s timeless charm.