Walking Holidays in Switzerland - Kandersteg

Kandersteg (1195m) lies in the beautiful Kander valley in the Central Bernese Oberland. Its lofty mountains with side glens and upper shelves of meadowland have much to offer mountain walkers of all levels of experience.

An amazing diversity of Alpine flowers adds to its appeal. More than 190 miles of trails can be followed in the immediate area, many reached by a variety of cableways commencing near the village.

Just across from the Kandertal Mountains is the Lotschental valley offering a different weather pattern from Kandersteg, extending the walking opportunities even further by a short train journey via the Lotschberg railway tunnel.

The Centre

Kandersteg itself is a popular summer and winter resort with some attractive old peasants’ houses and a small 16th century church. It spreads itself out along the meadows of the valley enclosed by towering and majestic mountains.

It has a long established tradition of catering for British visitors well illustrated by the existence of the English named ‘Victoria’ hotel and has carefully preserved its unique typical Swiss character.

In summer it is a walker’s paradise. Well served by rail services this charming and scenic walking centre has a variety of shops and banks hotels and restaurants.

Additionally it offers a swimming pool and various sports facilities including curling and tennis.

The Walking

Well marked walking routes surround Kandersteg ranging from short valley strolls; visits to lonely alps waterfalls and lakes; more strenuous routes up to lofty remote mountain huts and treks across high passes and ice fields.

For a leisurely stroll visit the crystal clear waters of the Blausee lake located nearby in 50 acres of natural parkland.

The Oeschinensee lake a natural wonder of the Alps which appears on almost every poster extolling the splendours of the Kandertal can easily be reached by alternative routes. Lying below the massive Bluemlisalp (3722m) it mirrors the mountain’s rugged slopes in its waters in a setting of stunning beauty.

Hiking trails offer a range of walks of differing grades and difficulty with walking time varying from 2-7 hours. Some can easily be shortened using nearby cableways. The more adventurous can obtain the service of a guide locally arranged to be taken up to 3965m to that special world of ice and snow.

Indeed there is much for everyone whatever the interest or desired challenge in this friendly and well established walking centre. You will not be disappointed whether you are a first time visitor to Switzerland or a regular who has knowledge and experience of other beautiful cantons.

Our exclusive Walk Booklet makes the most of this area with a superb selection for any walker. These range from a 4 hour walk through a beautiful valley with no ascent to a 1000m climb to a mountain hut with spectacular views.

Walk Grading

Self Guided - Easy Moderate & Challenging

For information about walking grades please click here

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Hotel Doldenhorn **** Superior - 4 Star The Doldenhorn, set in its own extensive gardens, will impress you from the moment you step into the delightful reception area with its grand piano. Rooms are individually furnished with satellite TV, telephone, minibar, safe and bathroom with a bath. VIEW MORE INFORMATION

Hotel Victoria Ritter *** - 3 Star Proprietors Muriel and Casi Platzer and the team will personally ensure that you have a delightful stay in the Victoria Ritter. All rooms have satellite TV, telephone, shower or bath; traditional blankets are supplied if you prefer them to the continental duvet. VIEW MORE INFORMATION

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Walking is possible from May through to October with a risk of snow in the first and last months.

When to book your walking holiday in Switzerland - Kandersteg
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Additional information for holidays in Switzerland

Fly/Rail Baggage

Check in your bag at the airport and collect it at your resort avoiding the wait at the baggage carousel. This is a system unique to Switzerland. Many hoteliers will even collect the bags for you when they arrive and
deliver them to your room. On your return check in your bag in at the railway station and at some
stations receive your boarding pass. Your bag will then be transferred to your flight and you collect it from the baggage carousel on arrival.
These services are available to but not from all resorts (Meiringen is unavailable) or with all airlines. Timing limitations also apply please check. The cost is £18 per bag per direction.

Switzerland- Internal travel

The Swiss transport system has a well earned reputation for being the best in the world. The trains are modern clean and run to schedule (late trains make the news in Switzerland!). We provide a personal timetable for all customers showing the relevant train times (including platforms) for transfers between airport/international rail gateway and the hotel for both arrivals and departures. We help to make the journey very much part of your holiday by providing helpful notes offering advice on changing trains and selecting the best seats to enjoy the stunning panoramic views. During your stay you will have the opportunity to experience travelling on the distinctive yellow post buses the lake steamers and many cable cars and funicular railways which will whisk you to high alpine meadows and mountain tops.

Swiss Card

A Swiss Card is included* in your holiday price if purchasing air or international rail travel through us. This can be bought separately, from us, by those making their own transport arrangements to Switzerland. The Swiss Card provides transfers between airport/international rail gateway and the hotel and enables you to enjoy most of your local travel at a 50% discount. There are a number of other travel cards listed below. If you wish to purchase separately £148** upgrade to first class £66**

* Not included for Hotel to Hotel Treks, Davos and Lower Engadine. For both Davos and Lower Engadine centred holidays we provide a rail ticket to/from Zurich airport as local transport is free.

Swiss Transfer Card

Gives free transfers between airport/international rail gateway and the hotel. Any reasonable route is permitted. Useful for very short stays and on hotel to hotel treks where you plan to walk all the way. Cost £99** upgrade to First Class £60**

Swiss Half Fare Card

Gives 50% discount during your stay for all rail and post bus services plus discounts on most funicular railways, chair lifts, gondolas and cable cars. Useful for those arriving by car. £85**

** subject to change

Family Card

Free travel on most transport for all children under 16 years traveling with their parents; provided free of charge with any of the travel cards listed above.

Two & Multi Centre Holidays - Switzerland

Clients often want to enjoy more than one area and find that traveling even a couple of hours on the train leads to a totally different walking experience. We are extremely happy to put these together for you. We will make all hotel reservations and provide the rail ticket between the centres free of charge** if the total stay is over 11 nights. For holidays over 13 nights we upgrade all the rail travel to First Class free of charge**. For example why not combine Zermatt with Davos having 7 nights in each resort in 4* hotels and journey between the two on the ‘Glacier Express’?

** As long as a Half Fare or Swiss card has been purchased