One Perfect Day at Lake Oeschinensee in Switzerland
We recently got back from a family trip to Switzerland, and visiting Lake Oeschinen was one of the highlights of our entire time in the country!
Few things are more gorgeous to me than high, alpine lakes surrounded by rugged, snow-capped mountains. And what makes Lake Oeschinenensee in Switzerland up with the best of the best is HOW BLUE the water is.
Oeschinensee makes a great full-day outing because there are so many lovely things to do up there. From beautiful hiking trails to thrilling alpine coasters, super cute row boats, and more!
This guide is to help you plan a perfect day at Lake Oeschinensee- I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
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🇨🇭 IN A RUSH? HERE ARE OUR SWITZERLAND FAVORITES🇨🇭
WHERE WE STAYED:
😍 Bungalows at Camping Jungfrau:We LOVED staying in these 2-bedroom bungalows located RIGHT at the base of Staubbach Falls in Lauterbrunnen. They are super cute, have an amazing view, a full kitchen, and they are AFFORDABLE.
ACTIVITIES WE BOOKED:
🛖 Ballenberg Open-Air Museum: This open-air museum was an unexpected surprise and we really enjoyed getting a glimpse into the past. We even got to see how they used to make cheese and have a cheese tasting!
🚲 Lauterbrunnen Valley Bike Rentals: The best way to explore the gorgeous Lauterbrunnen Valley is on bike (in my humble opinion). It's so much more fun than walking and you get to see so much more. They have e-bikes along with kid bikes and trailers!
🧗 Murren Via Ferrata: My husband took this beginner-friendly vai Ferrata tour (while we played at an alpine playground) and it was his favorite experience of the entire trip.
HOW WE SAVED MONEY ON OUR RENTAL CAR:
🚘 Economy Bookings Car Rental: Any bit you can save on your car rental in the Faroes is worth it because it's PRICEY. Our go-to is Economy Bookings.
TRAVEL PASSES IN SWITZERLAND:
🚆 🚌 ⛴️ Swiss Travel Pass: Take the headache away from booking public transit with FREE train, bus and boat rides in Switzerland + FREE entry to over 500 museums + 50% discount on select mountain excursions and mountain rail travel.
🚆 🚌 ⛴️ Swiss Half-Fare Card:Enjoy 50% discount on all public transportation (trains, boats, and buses) in Switzerland INCLUDING most mountain railways and cable cars.
🚆 🚌 ⛴️ Jungfrau Travel Pass: Enjoy unlimited bus, boat, train, and cable car rides for between 3 and 8 days in the Jungfrau Region.
OUR OTHER TRAVEL FAVORITES:
📸 Tours/Excursions: Viator & Get Your Guide
🚕 Airport Transfers with Car Seats: Welcome Pickups
👉 Travel Strollers: Zoe Traveler & Zoe Double
🍼 Baby Carriers: Tula Carriers, Wildride Hip Carriers
📱 International Data Phone eSIM: Airalo
🚗 Cheap Rental Cars: Economy Bookings
🏠 Accomodations: Booking, Expedia, VRBO, Airbnb
🌎 Travel Insurance: World Nomads
We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using the above link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
Is it Lake Oeschinensee or Oeschinen Lake?
Let’s get this out of the way right off the bat- in German, the name of the lake is Oeschinensee because ‘see’ means lake.
In English, the most correct way to say the name would be Oeschinen Lake. In contrast, if you were to say Lake Oeschinensee, it’s like you’re saying ‘Lake Oeschinen Lake’. But you can say Lake Oeschinensee all you want and I won’t judge😉.
Is Oeschinensee always blue?
From what I’ve read, Oeschinensee can look stunningly blue even when it’s cloudy. However, peak-blue lake viewing generally occurs when the skies are clear and the sun is high in the sky (so towards the middle of the day).
I wouldn’t skip a trip to the lake if your only chance is on a cloudy day, however, if you can choose between the two, I’d pick a sunny one.
How to Get To Oeschinen Lake in Kandersteg Switzerland
BY CAR TO THE CABLE CAR STATION:
You can drive directly to the cable car station; however, parking is limited, and it’s recommended to arrive early during peak season and on the weekends.
Sometimes you can even book your parking ticket along with your cable car tickets when you book ahead of time. Is this is an option, I recommend doing that.
We drove to Oeschinensee in late September, arrived around 10:00 am, and had no issues finding a parking space.
BY TRAIN TO THE CABLE CAR STATION:
You can arrive in Kandersteg by train and reach the cable car station on foot in about 15 minutes (keep in mind these walks add up if you are traveling with little kids).
I hear that from June to October, there may be a bus that travels between the train station and cable car station, which is a good option if you have little kids or mobility issues.
If you plan to travel often by public transit in Switzerland, you may want to consider the Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half-Fare Card.
FROM THE TOP CABLE CAR STATION TO THE LAKE:
Once you get off the cable car, you can’t miss the main path that leads to the lake-it’s large and everyone is walking on it. On the map, it’s called trail ‘C’ and if you want to go directly to the lake, follow the signs that say ‘Oeschinensee’.
It’s quite easy with a slight decline, has packed dirt and is more or less stroller accessible.
However, the walk back up trail ‘C’, while not a steep incline, does have a steady incline the entire way and can get tiring (especially for little kids or those with mobility issues). However, our 3 & and 6-year-olds did it, we just took it slow.
Although trail ‘C’ is the most common path to the lake. I recommend forking off to the left onto trail ‘D’ by following the signs for Sennhütte to reach an amazing viewpoint without much added effort. This is an easy path, although not stroller friendly.
Don’t miss this! While the views of the lake are stunning from the lake shore, it’s incredible to get up higher and see the lake from above.
This viewpoint is great because no intense hiking is required; it’s merely a small detour! To reach the lakeshore from the viewpoint, follow the signs for ‘Oeschinensee’ on the path in front of the restaurant.
You could also do this path backwards by walking directly to the lake and then up to the viewpoint; however, there are some steep inclines in that direction, so I recommend doing the viewpoint first, then going down to the lake.
Lake Oeschinen Cable Car Opening Hours & Pricing
Technically, you can hike up and down to the lake from Kandersteg; however, it’s said to be about a 1.5-hour hike with a large elevation gain.
Rather, I’d recommend taking the cable car and spending more time at the lake or hiking the trail up to the left of the lake that is more intense and has great lake views (we didn’t get to hike that, but would have loved to).
The Lake Oeschinen cable car is generally in operation for the summer months from mid-May to early November; however, you’ll want to check the website here to verify opening hours.
Cable car tickets come with a specific timeslot, and it’s recommended that you reserve in advance to not run the risk of tickets selling out or having to wait in a long line.
It’s super easy to book your tickets online, and the timeslots are in 2-hour increments which makes it easy not to miss your timeslot. You can even reschedule your timeslot free of charge (so there’s really no downside of booking ahead).
We visited Lake Oeschinen in September and booked our tickets online the morning of and there were plenty of tickets available. However, it may be a different story in July or August.
Ticket prices vary slightly between spring, summer, and fall. That being said, a round-trip cable car trip will cost between 36-40 CHF for adults.
I recommend purchasing a round-trip ticket rather than individual ascents and descents to save about 16 CHF.s
✨✨ The Oeschinensee cable car offers 50% off ticket prices for Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Half-Fare Card holder.✨✨
🚈 🚌 ⛴️
**Be aware of the departure time of the last cable car ride for the day if you don’t want to end up hiking down the mountain. It can sneak up on you! I believe the last ride typically departs at 5 pm. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to walk from the lake back to the cable car.
6 Things to Know BEFORE PLANNING Your Trip to Oeschinen Lake
- Cable car tickets are 50% off if you have the Swiss Half-Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass.
🚈 🚌 ⛴️✨ CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SWISS HALF-FARE CARD! ✨🚈 🚌 ⛴️
- The MeteoSwiss App will be your best friend when it comes to accurate, up-to-date weather updates in Switzerland. It could be snowing up at Oeschinensee, and you have no idea (I say that from experience at other high-mountain Swiss destinations 😅).
- Your second-best, best friend is the Lake Oeschinen webcam– check it to see live conditions.
- If you plan to hike, check trail conditions and closures before departing for the day on the Oeschinsee website.
- Book your cable car tickets ahead of time, and if you are driving, see if you can book parking with it at the same time (parking is limited).
- You can pick up a paper map of the trails at the office at the Kandersteg cable car station. You can also view a digital map here that is constantly updated with closures on the trail, mountain coaster and rowboat updates, plus the local temperature.
🚈 🚌 ⛴️✨ CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SWISS TRAVEL PASS! ✨🚈 🚌 ⛴️
6 Amazing Things to Do at Oeschinen Lake For the Perfect Day
You can easily spend the entire day at Oeschinensee (which I recommend!). Below are all of the amazing things to do there, and I recommend participating in as many as possible.
1. Take in The Views from the Cable Car
As I mentioned above, you can technically hike up to Oeschinensee from Kandersteg. However, I recommend saving the time and effort and enjoying the cable car ride instead.
The cable car ride is not as expensive as some you may encounter in Switzerland (between 36 and 40 CHF round-trip for adults) and the mountain ranges around it are beautiful. It’s a quiet, quick, relaxing ride that I think is worth the money to have more time to enjoy the activities up and around the lake.
For more information about the cable car opening hours and pricing, read the section above.
2. Take a Super Fun Ride on The Oechinensee Mountain Coaster
When in Switzerland, you HAVE to ride a mountain coaster(in my opinion).
Swiss mountain coasters are usually a metal track (kind of looks like a slide) that you ride down atop a ‘cart’ with wheels. You get to control your speed at all times, and it’s super fun!
The Lake Oeschinen coaster offers great views and is super fun. I highly recommend it!
Kids aged 3-8 get to ride for free with an adult and can ride on their own from 8+. Our kids refer to it as ‘the roller coaster we rode in Switzerland’- it was definitely a highlight of the trip for them.
Tickets for the coaster only cost 6 CHF per ride (which felt very reasonable compared to what we paid for other things in Switzerland 😅). And you can only purchase tickets on site at the machine next to the coaster.
We took 3 rides each because we all loved it so much. Plus, the more you do it, the more confidence you get, and you can go faster (if you’re someone like me).
The coaster is located right next to the top cable car station, and I recommend doing it first thing when you arrive.
The coaster does close in wet conditions; however, it will usually open up if the conditions improve.
For example, I checked the lake’s website here on our drive there, and the coaster was closed because of wet conditions, but then it opened by the time we reached it.
3. Get Stunning Lake Views from an *EASY* Viewpoint
The great news is that if you want a great viewpoint of Lake Oeschinen without any intense hiking, that’s possible! I was so happy when I learned this (through hours of researching) because we visited the lake with young kids and weren’t able to do the more intense hike with great lake views.
The easiest way to reach this great viewpoint is by starting on the main (and the only path you’ll see) from the top cable car station. Then cut off to the left onto trail ‘D’ (the signs will direct you to Sennhütte because the viewpoint is right in front of the restaurant called Sunnhütte).
Follow that path until you see the restaurant, and the viewpoint is right in front of it!
To get to the lakeshore from the viewpoint, you take trail ‘K’ (follow the signs for Oeschinensee). You’ll find the path in front of the restaurant to the right.
If you want, you can also do the viewpoint AFTER walking to the lake on the main trail by going up trail ‘K’. However, going this direction takes you up some steep hills.
I’ve circled in red on the map where the great viewpoint is- just remember it’s next to the restaurant Sennhütte.
*Note that this is NOT the intense trail that you will see so many people recommend that loops up on the left side of the lake. The views aren’t as high at the viewpoint I am recommending, however, they are still really good.
4. Rent Rowboats
Okay, does it get more charming and magical than taking a rowboat out on a pristine alpine lake at the base of majestic mountains in Switzerland? I think not.
Rowboat rentals are available from a kiosk on the shore for 38 CHF per hour. You can’t reserve them ahead of time, but when we visited in September, that wasn’t a problem.
They have so many boats, and people are continually returning them, so one was almost always available. I’m sure in July/August everything is a bit busier, so you may want to go to the kiosk right when you arrive to get your name on a waitlist.
Four people are allowed per rowboat, including children (who are required to wear a provided lifejacket).
We paddled out to the middle of the lake and back, but you could also paddle clear to the other side to see one of the waterfalls from the water.
I liked seeing the lake and mountains from yet another perspective, and loved the uniqueness of the experience so I definitely recommend taking a trip out on one.
Keep in mind that paddling a rowboat is pretty tricky and can be tiring (especially if it’s windy). So only go as far out as you think you can paddle back!
For more information, you can visit the Oeschinensee rowboat page here.
5. Hike the Gorgeous Lake Oeschinen Loop Trail for Stunning Views
The Lake Oeschinen Loop Trail is a 5.5-mile RT hike that loops the left flank of Oeschinensee.
This hike isn’t for beginners- you need to come prepared and have the stamina to complete it.
We didn’t have the opportunity to take this hike since we were traveling with such young kids; however, our friends hiked it, and it sounds absolutely amazing.
The views of the lake are second-to-none from up on that trail- you’re so high up!
For whatever reason, most people online seem to be calling this hike the ‘Panorama Trail’; however, no official Oeschinensee materials ever call it that (which can be very confusing).
You can see the hike route on All Trails is called the Lake Oeschinen Loop, on the Oeschinensee website it’s called ‘The Heuberg trail via Oberbärgli and along the lake’, and on the Oeschinensee trail map, the trails are marked as trail ‘G’ and trail ‘E’.
It’s a little confusing; however, if you want to research people’s experiences on this trail, you can search for ‘Panorama Trail Oeschinensee’ and find plenty of content.
6. Eat with a view
Right on the shore of the lake, there are multiple eateries ranging from quick, counter-service to sit-down restaurants.
We brought a picnic lunch with us, but also picked up some fries and treats to go.
If you’re looking for an adventurous place to eat, hike up to Bärgbeizli Underbärgli, a restaurant high up in the mountains along the hiking trails with stunning lake views.
If you’re not up for the whole loop that is so often hiked, a hike just to this restaurant could be a great option!
You can read all about the various eateries at Lake Oeschinen here (including the mountain restaurant I mentioned).
Extra Tips for Visiting Oeschinensee with Kids
- Although the walking distance from the cable car to the lake may not seem far, it adds up for little legs (especially if you factor in the viewpoint, which isn’t stroller-accessible). Come prepared with either a stroller, carrier, or willingness to shoulder-carry. There is an electric shuttle from the cable car to the lake; however, it’s PRICEY ( I think it was almost as expensive as our cable car ticket), it only comes every 30 minutes, priority is given to disabled and elderly, AND there was quite a queue for only a small number of seats. We would have loved to hitch a ride, but it just didn’t make sense to.
- There is a (small) playground near the shore of the lake that our 3-year-old and 1-year-old enjoyed playing on. The slide was the biggest hit.
- KEEP TRACK OF THE TIME. I saw families with young kids heading to the lake near the end of the day, and there is no way they were going to make the last cable car back. Remember that there IS a final cable car usually around 5 pm (but check the website to be sure) and if you miss it, you’ll be walking back down. I recommend starting your walk back to the cable car with at least one hour prior to the last departure.
- I recommend riding the mountain coaster and taking the rowboats with kids – those were the highlights for ours! I suggest riding the mountain coaster first thing.
- There are multiple food options on the shore of the lake, from quick bites to sit-down restaurants with great views. We packed lunches & snacks (never can have enough snacks) but also picked up a few yummy things there.
- If you’re arriving by train, remember that the train station to the cable car is about a 1 km walk, which is a long walk for little legs (especially after a long day of hiking/exploring). I hear that from June to October, there is a local bus you can take from the train to the cable car. You can check the schedule on the SBB website or app.
And that’s everything I think you need to know before visiting Lake Oeschinensee in Switzerland! If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below and I’ll be sure to get back to you.
🇨🇭 LOOKING FOR MORE ABOUT VISITING SWITZERLAND?🇨🇭
CHECK OUT MY OTHER SWITZERLAND GUIDES:
📅 What It’s Like Visiting Switzerland in September
🇨🇭 Switzerland With Kids: 5 Day Bernese Oberland Itinerary
❗11 Helpful Things To Know Before Visiting Switzerland
💰 Switzerland Trip Cost Breakdown: Is It As Expensive as They Say?
🌻 Allmendhubel Flower Playground in Mürren Switzerland
🛏️ Camping Jungfrau Lauterbrunnen Review: Beautiful Bungalows + Affordable Price
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