Bernese Oberland

Tanya Deans - (swissfamilyfun)
Itinerary created by
Tanya Deans
What you’ll do

This itinerary has our very favorite mountains and fun activities in the Bernese Oberland region. All outings are a reasonable day trip distance from Interlaken.

When visiting the Bernese Oberland, you should definitely include a couple mountain outings in Jungfrau Region. Check out my Jungfrau Region itinerary for more ideas.

Travel Pass

We suggest you purchase the Berner Oberland Pass, covers public transportation and most of mountain railways for the activities in this itinerary.

You can buy this pass for 3 - 15 days. The child pass only costs CHF 30.

Depending on which activities you choose, it can save you money and is very convenient, since you don't have to buy individual tickets.

Day Total

1.5 km (0.9 mi)

6 min

Missing data for distance between:
1) Boat Rental Oeschinensee and Thun village

Oeschinensee Lake

Day trip from Jungfrau Region. Must reserve gondola tickets in advance.

  1. Ride train from Interlaken Ost to Kandersteg (1h11).

  2. Walk 15 min to gondola station. Ride up mountain.

  3. Optional summer toboggan is near mountain station.

  4. Walk to the lake on footpath via Läger, about 30 mins.

  5. At lakeshore, picnic or eat at restaurant.

  6. Options:
    - hike up to Underbärgli hut (about 30-40 mins each way)
    - rent row boat

  7. Walk back to gondola station on the service road, about 30 mins.

  8. Ride gondola down to Kandersteg and train back to your home base.

Extra time? Visit Thun village & castle on way back

1

Gondola: Kandersteg-Oeschinensee
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Quick ride up the mountain
Category
Public Transport
Est. Price
$$
Transport Type
other
Direction

73 m (0 mi)

2

This one is optional

Oeschinensee Summer Toboggan
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Run ride with spectacular views
Category
Activity
Est. Price
$$
Est. Duration
0-30m
Direction

Hiking options

Walk directly to the lake: follow signs for Oeschinensee via "Läger". On the way back, you can walk on the service road.

Lakes + short panorama: Walk to the lakeshore via "Läger". Then follow signs to "Underbärgli" to hike up to a hut with higher view of lake. About 1 hour round trip from the lakeshore.

Full Panorama trail: Follow signs to "Heuberg." The loop takes about 2 hours to loop down to the lakeshore.

3

Oeschinensee: Easy walk to alpine lake
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Bright blue lake
Category
Activity
Est. Price
$
Est. Duration
1-2h
Direction

1.1 km (0.7 mi)

4 min

4

Choose the option that fits you the best

Hike: Oeschinensee to Underbärgli
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Shorter panorama trail
Category
Hike
Est. Duration
30-60m
Direction

280 m (0.2 mi)

1 min

5

This one is optional

Oeschinensee Panorama Trail
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Mountain trail above gorgeous alpine lake
Category
Hike
Est. Price
$$
Est. Duration
2-3h
Direction

At the lakeshore, there are a few picnic areas with fire pits.

Walk right along the lakeshore to the restaurant, boat rental and service road that leads back to the gondola.

6

This one is optional

Berghotel Oeschinensee
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Traditional restaurant with lake views
Category
Restaurant
Direction

60 m (0 mi)

7

This one is optional

Boat Rental Oeschinensee
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Row boats on lake
Category
Activity
Direction

Return home

When you are done, walk back on the service road to the gondola station, about 30 mins uphill.

Last gondola ride down in summer at 18:00. From late Sept, last ride down at 17:00. Check opening times.

Note: There can be long lines in the afternoon to get down, so give yourself a little extra time if you are trying to catch a specific train back.

Remember from the gondola station to the train station, it takes about 10-15 min to walk.

The train from Kandersteg towards Spiez/Interlaken departs hourly on the xx:14. Check schedule on SBB.ch

Extra time? Thun village & Castle

On the way back from Oeschinensee, you can ride the train directly from Kandersteg to Thun (45 mins).

Enjoy stroll through Thun village along the river and visit its castle.

Perhaps dinner in town.

Return to Interlaken:

  • by train, about 35 mins to Interlaken Ost.

  • by boat, from Thun (See) to Interlaken West (See), 2h48 mins.

8

Choose the option that fits you the best

Thun village
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Cute lakeside town along Aare river
Category
Sightseeing
Direction
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