Oeschinensee Panorama Hike

This beautiful panorama trail traverses the mountains above the super blue Oeschinensee lake. The path passes below dramatic peaks and passes by beautiful waterfalls. It’s a great way to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the lake and escape the crowds below.

We find this hike best for those with hiking experience and proper hiking shoes, as it has a steep climb and lots of uneven terrain with loose rock. Some parts are a bit exposed, with steep slopes to the side with no safety railing. So you’ll need a head for heights and also not ideal for small children.

We’ve done this trail many times with family, friends, and visitors. If you like mountain trails and great views, this is a perfect way to enjoy the best of the Swiss alps.

Gallery

Location

Oeschinensee is a mountain lake located above the village Kandersteg in the Berner Oberland region of Switzerland (see on Google Maps). To access the trail, you riding a cable car up the mountain. 

Trail overview

This trail starts at the top of the Kandersteg gondola, where you’ll find the alpine slide, a restaurant and toilets. After a short walk on the service road, the trail heads up the mountain and traverses to a hut on the far side of the loop.

Then you descend on a lower trail to the lake. At the water, you’ll find many people lounging and picnicking. Now follow the service road back to the gondola.

Hiking map

Here is the trail map for panorama loop above the lake.

See trail map on SchweizMobil • Komoot • AllTrails • OutdoorActive

Shorter trail option

It’s an easy 2 km walk on a wide service road to the lake, suitable for little kids and strollers. See trail map.

Trail description

To reach the Panorama trail, first take the cable car from Kandersteg up the mountain. Here you’ll find the alpine slide, a restaurant and toilets. Start hiking by following signs to the lake.

Take the second mountain path on your left, following signs to Ober Bergli. The trail heads up the mountain and skirts under the peaks, past many waterfalls, with views of the lake below.

At the halfway point, you reach the small Ober Bärgli mountain hut, selling drinks and snacks but not full meals. Then the trail heads back down to the lake. When you reach the lake shore, you find fire pits, a sculpture garden, lots of places to lounge and restaurants a bit further up the the path.

Take any of the paths that lead back to the cable car. There is an alpine slide at the cable car station. 

Trail conditions

The trail is a narrow, rocky, dirt mountain trail with uneven terrain. Much of the trail has steep slopes dropping off to one side  with no safety rail. Best for adults and children 7+ with hiking experience and no fear of heights. No strollers. 

How to get there

This trail starts at the top of the Kandersteg gondola, which is located at Oeschistrasse 50, 3718 Kandersteg.

By car

Drive to Kandersteg and follow signs to the Oeschinensee cable car (Oeschistrasse 50, 3718 Kandersteg). There are multple parking lots by the cable car station, including a large field for overflow. In 2022, parking cost CHF 5 for the day, coins or parking app.

By public transport

Take the train to Kandersteg, then a 1km walk through town to the cable car as shown on the map below. There is a bus stop next to the cable car (Kandersteg, Talstat. Oeschinen) but I can’t find a bus schedule for it.

Planning your day

Ticket prices

In 2024, a return trip on the cable car costs CHF 32/adult, CHF 16/child 6-15, under age 6 free. Children free with SBB Junior Card.

Free with Berner Oberland Pass. Discount 50% for Swiss Travel Pass, GA, Half Fare travelcards. Check website for current timetable and prices.

Opening Times

The summer season is from early May through mid October, however this trail is probably not accessible until late June. The cable car runs generally from 9:00 to 17:00, longer during peak season. See which trails are currently open.

Photo story of the trail

Riding the gondola up

Summer toboggan

The summer toboggan is next to the gondola station. It’s is 750m long, descending 150m of elevation. We usually ride these after the hike. But there’s always a long line at the end of the day. So perhaps better to ride it before the hike.

In 2023, one ride costs CHF 6/adult or buy a 5 pack for a small discount. Before 11:30 am, tickets are cheaper, only CHF 4/adult. You can buy tix online so you can skip the line.

Starting the trail

From the top of the Kandersteg cable car, start by following signs to the Läger/Oeschinensee.

The trail starts on a wide dirt path, that leads directly to the lake.

After about 400m, the trail splits to the left up the hill. Follow signs to Heuberg – Ober Bärgli.

This path eventually evens out and winds its way under the rocky peaks.

We had to cross a few streams along the way.

Very dramatic views with the big mountains.

Picnic with a view at Heuberg

After about 30 mins of walking, you’ll reach this beautiful viewpoint at Heuberg, where many people stop for pictures and a picnic.

There a couple informal fire pits, but you’ll have to gather your own wood. It’s a steep drop-off here, so exercise caution, especially with kids.

After our picnic, we continued on the trail, great views in every direction.

One of the most popular pictures of these two trees is a few minutes after leaving the viewpoint.

3. Traversing the mountain

The trail leads towards the alpine meadows near those cliffs.

As you traverse the mountain, the trail gets a bit narrow with steep slopes to one side. 

Some sheep on our path.

In spring and after rain, there can be many small waterfalls above the trail.

Some of these waterfalls may spill onto the trail and get you wet.

One of my favorite views on the trail.

Looking down to waterfalls below us.

Many beautiful views of the lake along the way.

If you look closely at that cliff wall, you might see the trail that leads to a higher mountain hut. You are not taking that trail.

Looking back at the trail.

Arrival at Ober Bärgli Hut

At the far end of the hike, you approach the Ober Bärgli mountain hut.

The hut was serves drinks and light snacks. There was a primitive toilet outside the hut.

View from the hut.

5. Down to the lake

To continue your trail, follow signs down to Oeschinensee.

The trail goes under these cliffs.

And walk by these waterfalls.

This small hut, Berghaus Unterbärgli, serves simple meals and drinks. But it’s often been closed when we’ve been on weekdays and outside high summer season. So don’t count on it.

Lots of loose rock on this part.

Walking under some rocky overhangs.

Almost there.

A nice waterfall in spring. By end of summer, it tends to dry up.

We got a little wet jumping over some of the streams.

5. At the lake

The trail flattens out at the lake, where you’ll find lots of places to lounge.

On a hot day, you can jump in the cold water if you dare. We did.

You can hike back through the forest or follow the shore line to the restaurants.

A restaurants with a view of the lake.

Keep walking on the dirt road back to the cable car and ride down to Kandersteg.

Ready to go? I hope you like it!

Video of hike

Here’s a video of our hike on Oeschinensee panorama trail in June 2022.

FAQ

Can you bring dogs on this trail?

Yes, you can bring dogs on this trail. But they must be on the leash because there are sheep and cows on the trail. Also for the safety of other hikes, as the trail is very narrow and exposed in some sections.

Can you swim in the Oeschinensee?

Yes, you are allowed to swim in the Oeschinensee and many people do. However, the water is very cold, even on hot summer days. So enter the water slowly and be careful with small children.

What to wear and bring

This is a mountain hike, so weather and temperatures can change quickly. Dress appropriate to the weather forecast, with layers like a fleece and windbreaker/rain jacket as needed. For hot days, shorts are ok as there are few trees not so much tall grass near the path. I suggest waterproof hiking shoes with good tread and hiking sticks. 

Bring at least 1 L of water per person. There are no places to fill your water bottle along the trail. 

Where to eat

After about 1hr45, there is a mountain hut selling drinks, sometimes snacks, but no meals. There are three restaurants near the lake, which can be very busy on sunny days and weekends. Best to make a reservation if you want to eat around lunch time. We usually eat at Berghotel Oeschinensee.

Near the lake, there are several picnic areas with fire pits.