Looking for things to do in the holiday region Gstaad in summer and fall? This region in the Bernese Oberland is a fantastic choice for a weekend getaway in Switzerland, particularly for families.
You’ll find scenic hiking trails, alpine playgrounds, tranquil lakes, adventure activities, and unique experiences like picnics in a giant fondue pot with spectacular mountain views.
Famous as a luxury ski destination, Gstaad is different in summer, letting its authentic Swiss charm shine through. It offers all the services you need for an easy, convenient stay, without feeling overrun by tourists.
This guide shares a complete weekend itinerary for Gstaad, with practical tips and recommendations to help you plan a smooth and memorable holiday.
Note: Our latest stay was hosted by Gstaad Tourism and HUUS Gstaad Hotel.
Contents
Itinerary Overview
To show you why we love Gstaad and keep going back, here are a few favorite moments from our most recent visit. Each of these activities are described in the itinerary details below.
From all our Gstaad experiences over the years, I’ve outlined two days at our favorite scenic areas, with options for different types of travelers.
Day One: Lauenensee & Wispile
- Option A: Easy lake stroll & afternoon play time – for non-hikers and young children
- Option B: Hike Wispile to Lauenensee – for hiking families & casual hikers
- Option C: Bike Gstaad to Lauenensee – for sport teens and adults
Day Two: Rinderberg
- Option A: Alpine Playground & Fondue Picnic
- Option B: Alpine Magic Ridge Trail – for casual hikers &
- Option C: Activity Trail for Kids – budget option for families
Looking for more of a hiking-focused itinerary? See more Gstaad hikes.
Where we stayed: HUUS Gstaad Hotel
On our most recent visit, we stayed at HUUS Gstaad Hotel, a 4-Star Superior hotel on a hill with beautiful views over the Gstaad region. Our stay was hosted by Gstaad Tourism.
The hotel blends a modern style with a cozy chalet atmosphere, delivering all the comforts you’d expect from a high-quality stay. For families, they have suites with sofa beds or gallery rooms with two double beds. Since it’s built on a hill, many of the rooms get this fantastic mountain view.
Family fun
This hotel has a lot of extras for families. We had a lot of fun time in the game room, with air hockey, billiards, foosball, chess, and video games. There are lots of game tables, so room for everyone even in busier school holidays.
For younger children, the hotel has big play room and nice outdoor playground. They also offer a Kids Club with supervised activities as well as babysitting services if you’d like to use the wellness facilities or enjoy parents-only dining. Learn more.
Spa & Wellness
The hotel has a lovely indoor pool and sauna wellness area, perfect place to relax in the afternoon or warm on a chilly day.
Where to eat
We really enjoyed our meal the hote’s La Vue Restaruant, which highlights Mediterranean flavors. We had the “wild” plate with venison, duck breast with a honey glaze and raspberry vinegar, and super thin veal Milanese. Everything was so delicous!
In the bar lounge, you can order more casual eats, like burgers and salads, as well as sushi. Their signature cocktails are very interesting and tasty. They even have a DJ in the evenings, creating a lively, social atmosphere.
Their breakfast buffet is generous, full of both healthy and indulgent options. My son really liked the pancakes, while I loved the fresh buttery Zopf, the Swiss Sunday standard.
Fondue Backpack
For a unique experience, you can book a Fondue Backpack from a local dairy. Then hike or bike to one of eight wooden fondue pot picnic spots to enjoy your very Swiss picnic.
We had our fondue picnic at the Lauenen pot, which we reached by mountain bike. The setting on the alp was spectacular, with views of mountains and waterfalls across the valley.
In the itinerary below, I’ve noted which fondue pot is near the activity, so you can optionally incorporate that into your day.
Order the Fondue backpack
You can order the fondue backpack from a few cheese shops, groceries and restaurants in the region. You must order it at least one day in advance.
We got ours from Molkerei Gstaad, near where we rented our mountain bikes. See all places to order.
What’s included
The backpack includes a fondue pot and stand, gas burner, matches, a spoon for stirring the cheese, fondue forks for dipping, and paper plates & napkins. It includes fondue cheese already mixed with wine and bread for dipping.
Drinks are not included, so buy those separately. If you want wine, Chasslas or Fendant is traditional, but Prosecco is also nice.
You pay per person, 1-4 people per backpack. They typically include about 300g cheese per person, which we find way too much. If you have children or light eaters, I suggest asking them to reduce the amount of cheese. We find 200g/person more than enough.
Where are the fondue pots
Here are all the spots.
- Rinderberg fondue pot – 30 min hike down from Rinderberg gondola • see spot on Google maps
- Wispile fondue pot – 35 min walk from Wispile gondola • see spot on Google maps
- Lauenen fondue pot –2h30 loop hike from Lauenen village • see on Google maps
- Schiltmoos fondue pot – 25 min walk from Schönried train station • see spot on Google maps.
- Grossi Vorschess fondue pot – 1h15 hike up from Schönried train station • see spot on Google maps
- Abländschen fondue put – 1 min walk from Abländschen, Chappelematte bus stop (45 min bus from Saanen) • see spot on Google maps
- Cheese Grotte fondue pot • 50 min walk from Gstaad village or bus to Gstaad, Bissenegg 100m from pot • see spot on Google maps
In addition, there are two fondue huts on the alp that are more suitable to cold or wet weather.
- Bodmen fondue hut – 20 min walk from Schönried train station • see spot on Google maps
- Chessler fondue hut – 30 min walk up from Saanenmöser train station • see spot on Google maps
Itinerary Day 1: Lauenensee
The tranquil Lauenensee lake is the highlight of the Gstaad region. It’s located in a nature reserve, framed by dramatic mountain peaks, waterfalls, and attractive forests.
At the lake, you’ll find nice picnic areas and a restaurant with a terrace overlooking the water. You can even swim in the lake if you don’t mind the slightly chilly water.
There are several ways to visit the lake, depending on how active you want to be.
Option 1A: Easy lake stroll & afternoon play time
You can ride a mountain bus or drive directly to the lake. It’s about an 8 min walk from the bus stop and parking to the lake. On weekends, best to get an early start as this place is quite popular.
You can optionally do an easy stroll around the lake on a wide-dirt path, enjoying a variety of views as you reach the far side of the water.
Trail: Easy • 1hr • 3 km • 20m up/down
How to get there: Bus 181 from Gstaad, Bahnhof to Lauenensee. Travel time 36 mins. Free with Gstaad Card.
Learn more about Lauenensee Lake Walk
Afternoon: Wispile Alpine Playground
Since the lake walk is a rather short activity, you could spend the afternoon at the Wispile mountain back in Gstaad. This mountain has a great playground with a view, right next to the top of the cable car.
Wispile gondola: Gsteigstrasse 83, 3780 Gstaad • bus stop Gstaad, Wispile
The play area has swings, slide, climbing structure, sand pit, and more. There’s even a little enclosure where you pet goats. This area is next to the restaurant, making it a relaxing way to end the day.
Budget alternative: Musical Activity Trail
Instead of riding a gondola, you could instead do Saani’s Sound Adventure Trail, with 18 activities scattered along the easy walk between the Gstaad and Saanen villages.
Make sure to pick up the puzzle booklet for the trail at the Gstaad Tourism Office (small fee) so kids can find the treasure chest and get a reward. Learn more.
Option 1B: Hike Wispile to Lauenensee
If you like to hike, this scenic trail from Wispile to Lauenensee is one of our favorites in the region.
Trail: Moderate • 3 h • 9.5 k • 140m up, 660m down
You start by riding a gondola from Gstaad to the Wispile mountain. Then an easy ramble over alpine meadows with mountain views in all directions.
You’ll pass an alpine dairy selling cheese and snacks and the Wispile fondue pot picnic spots. Then some up and down in the forest before a long gradual descent on a gravel service road to the lake.
See details for Wispile to Lauenensee hike
Option 1C: Bike Gstaad to Lauenensee
For sporty teens and adults, you may prefer biking to the Lauenensee. We did this on our most recent visit and really enjoyed mixing in the faster pace ride with hiking on other days.
Bike route: 2h30 • 24.2 km loop • 362m up, 357m down
We rented mountain E-Bikes at the Pure Snowboard shop (Umfahrungsstrasse 11, 3780 Gstaad), which rents bikes from Thömus. It’s near the Molkerei Gstaad cheese shop where we picked up the fondue backpack.
It took us about an hour to ride out to the Lauenensee. The bike route is mostly on quiet country roads with limited traffic.
While most of the route is paved, some sections are on gravel roads with uneven terrain, so you really need a mountain bike with big, grippy tires. Also, there are some steep uphill parts, so the E-bike was essential for us as casual bikers.
After the lake, we made a short detour to the Lauenensee fondue pot for our fondue picnic. Then continued the loop back to Gstaad. Our family loved it and now are looking for more beginner mountain biking routes to try.
Ready to explore Gstaad?
I can help you plan the perfect Gstaad getaway, from choosing the best hikes and activities for your group to seamless logistics for your specific travel needs.
Yes, please plan my tripItinerary Day 2: Rinderberg
The Rinderberg mountain is one of the prettiest spots in the Gstaad region. This area has fun extras for kids and easy trails, making it top spot for families. I have three options for you.
Option 2A: Play Time & Fondue Picnic
If you have younger kids who can’t hike very far, we suggest starting your day at the top of Rinderberg gondola, which has a play area built into the facade of the restaurant. It has four levels of climbing areas and slides.
Even if you aren’t hiking the ridge trail, you can wander a bit near the restaurant to get the views.
After playtime, you could do a short 30 min hike down to the Rinderberg fondue pot for a unique picnic. Make sure to order your fondue backpack a day ahead.
Location: Rinderberg gondola – Lenkstrasse 26, 3770 Zweisimmen • 5 min walk from Zweisimmen train station
Option 2B: Alpine Magic Ridge Trail
This trail along the Gandlouenegrat ridge showcases some of the best views in the region. It’s an easy-to-follow path, suitable for families and casual hikers.
Trail: Moderate • 2 h • 6.3 k • 150m up, 370m down
💡With kids, pick up the “Alpenzauberweg” booklet (small fee), which can be stamped at 8 stations along the trail. Turn in the booklet with the correct solution word to get a small prize.
This is a one-way trail between the Rinderberg gondola and Horneggli chair lift. About half of the trail is on a narrow footpath and the other half on a wide gravel service road. There are restaurants at the start, middle, and end of the trail, as well as picnic areas where you can build a fire.
The hike is easier with less uphill if you start at Rinderberg. But start at Horneggli if you want to reward kids with the Rinderberg playground at the end. Or if you want to end with a picnic at the Rinderberg fondue pot, about a short 30 min hike down from the the Rinderberg gondola.
For more excitement, you can rent mountain scooters at the Rinderberg middle station (about 20 mins after the fondue pot) and ride the rest of the way down the mountain. For ages 12+.
Location: Rinderberg gondola – Lenkstrasse 26, 3770 Zweisimmen.
See details for Rinderberg panorama ridge trail
Option 2C: Fun Activity Trail (budget option!)
If your kids need motivation to hike, instead try the Saani’s Mountain Adventure Trail, with 17 activities for kids along the way. This is a great budget option as you don’t have to pay for a gondola to reach the trail.
Trail: easy • 2h30 • 4.6km one way • 72m up, 107m down
Before hiking, you can get the puzzle book for this trail (small fee), where kids can answer questions and solve riddles to help find the treasure chest then get a small reward. Learn more.
The trail starts at the playground next to the Saanenmäser train station (12 min by train from Gstaad). The adventure trail is clearly signed, leading you from one activity to the next.
After about 25 min walking, you’ll reach the Chessler fondue pot, a great place to have a picnic. Make sure to order your fondue backpack a day ahead.
The trail ends at the “Saanis Kletterplatz” playground for even more playtime (see location on map). Then a 5 min walk to the Schönried train station to catch a train back to your hotel or car at the start of the trail.
Special Events
If you plan a Gstaad trip, I recommend checking out their event calendar to see if they are hosting any special events during your trip. We got lucky that the annual Country Night Gstaad was happening while we were there.
Many Swiss love country music, so it was really fun to see lots of cowboy hats and boots and enthusiastic line dancing. These kinds of events let you see the non-touristy side of Swiss life and culture, through the parties they throw for themselves.
How to get to Gstaad
Gstaad is located in the Bernese Oberland, specifically in the Simmental region west of Interlaken. See on Google maps.
Gstaad is on the GoldenPass Line, making it a good stopover if you are travelling between Interlaken and Montreux.
By train
Gstaad is accessed by the scenic GoldenPass Line train route, which connects Interlaken and Montreux.
From Interlaken, best to take the direct GoldenPass Express train (seat reservation required). Travel time 1h51. If you don’t reserve seats, you can take regional trains, changing twice (Spiez and Zweisimmen) on your way to Gstaad.
From Montreux, you can take the GoldenPass Express, GoldenPass Panoramic or Belle Epoque, all of which are direct trains Gstaad. In all cases, you should reserve seats as this scenic route is very popular and seats do sell out. Travel time: 1h24 – 1h40.
From Bern (2h) or Zurich (3h), we suggest choosing a route that has a direct train to Zweisimmen. Then change trains and continue to Gstaad. This second train will be GoldenPass Panoramic or Belle Epoque – best to make seat reservations on these as they can be quite crowded.
If you are staying at HUUS Gstaad Hotel, you can contact the hotel to arrange a shuttle from the train station. Or get off at the Schönried or Saanen train station then short bus ride to Saanen, Steigenberger, which drops directly in front of the hotel.
By car
Gstaad and all mountain and hiking area are accessible by car. Here are some sample driving times from Swiss cities:
- Interlaken or Montreux 1h15
- Bern: 1h30
- Geneva 2h15
- Lucerne 2h15
- Zürich 2h45
Note: From Bern/Interlaken, you’ll drive about one hour on a well maintained two lane road, fairly relaxed driving. But from Montreux/Geneva, the road goes over a mountain pass and is quite narrow in some parts, a little stressful.
Best to book a hotel that has parking, as public parking in the villages is limited. HUUS Gstaad Hotel has a parking garage and outdoor parking onsite.
Getting around with Gstaad Card
When you stay overnight in the Gstaad area, you get the free Gstaad Card, which includes free travel on trains and buses in the region. We much prefer to leave the car at the hotel, as the villages, cable cars, and hiking areas are easy accessible by public transport.
If you are staying at HUUS Hotel Gstaad, the bus picks up directly in front of the hotel. Or they offer a shuttle service to the nearby train station. Private taxis are also easily available.
See current benefits of Gstaad Card.
Profi Tip: Belle Epoque Train
The retro Belle Epoque train travels through the Gstaad region, twice a day in both directions. If you organize your day carefully, you can ride this train to or from Gstaad and your activities.
For example, we rode this on our way after our Lauenensee bike ride, from Gstaad to Schönried, then short bus to HUUS Gstaad Hotel. Such a treat!
Note: This train can be crowded during summer season, with all seats in the cute retro coaches reserved. So you may have to ride in the regular coach that isn’t so cute.
Learn more about the Belle Epoque Train
Last thoughts
The Gstaad region is a great destination if you’re looking for an authentic Swiss experience that doesn’t suffer from the mass tourism of other popular regions. It’s particularly great for families, with lots of playgrounds and fun & easy trails.
Thanks again to Gstaad Tourism and HUUS Gstaad Hotel for hosting our visit and organizing such a nice itinerary.
Helpful links for Gstaad region
See more hikes in the Gstaad region.
More family weekend itineraries in Switzerland
