Lake Oeschinensee from Kandersteg

Date of your route : May 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely 1 hour 15 minute walk for the average walker
The start runs alongside the stream but then becomes quite steep for 45 minutes before finishing with a gentle slope onto the lake plateau
Best done in good weather, especially if you want to continue on to the mountain pastures above.
There are places to eat by the lake, but a picnic by the water’s edge is also a good option

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Date of your route : Oct 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Thank you for this route, which I've lengthened to give me a better view of the lake and surrounding mountains.
The ascent from Kandersteg is indeed unequivocal, there is only one path. A bit of tarmac, then you reach the lake at the end for a very fine view.
On this rainy Sunday in October, there were quite a few people around the lake and on the paths above.
The route around the lake on the south side was closed because of the landslides (which we heard and saw all day), so I went around to the north side, then up into the mountain pastures and back along an even higher path. This is a tough route, with a number of tricky sections (hollows, crossing torrents of varying widths without fords, and slopes), and lots of mud when it rains. The difference in altitude is considerable, so it's best for experienced hikers with boots and good footing!
In any case, it's a magnificent place, with a few more glaciers on the heights.

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Date of your route : May 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice hike, unfortunately we did it in bad weather so we didn't get much out of the scenery, but we'd do it again! Uncomplicated route, fairly easy walk despite a few steep sections.
Done in May, it was still quite busy but not very much either.

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Hello
When you look at the map, it says that it's an out-and-back hike, so...
I admit that there's a lot of asphalt, but it's just an alternative way of getting up there quickly without having to use the cable car.
As far as the world is concerned, it's a bit of a hot spot for Instagrammers in the summer, which may explain that.
Personally, it's better to go in winter, less crowded and even more beautiful.

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Date of your route : Aug 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

It's worth mentioning that the 3:10 time is the round trip.
There was a lot of asphalt or large gravel on the uphill path, which was a shame. There was no access to the softer grassy or other paths.
We continued along the path, skirting the lake and heading up to the mountain chalets at altitude, then followed the parallel path back to the cable car and came back down on foot or with the cable car.
A very, very nice hike, but very crowded.

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