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 with traditional blankets 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
Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	OK	Best	Best	Best	Best	OK	N/A	N/A

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Flights

Zurich is the closest at 2 hours 25 minutes with one change in Bern. Basle is just under 3 hours and Geneva Airport just over 3 hours away each with a change of train in Bern.

Zurich non stop from Heathrow Gatwick London City Luton Birmingham Manchester Edinburgh and Dublin. Connecting flights from most UK airports.

Geneva non stop from Heathrow Gatwick London City Luton Stansted Southampton* Bournemouth* Jersey Exeter* Newquay* Bristol Cardiff* Birmingham East Midlands Norwich* Doncaster* Liverpool Manchester* Leeds Newcastle* Glasgow* Edinburgh Aberdeen* Belfast and Dublin. Connecting flights from most UK airports.

Basle non stop from Heathrow London City Luton Liverpool, East Midlands and Manchester. Connecting flights from most UK airports.

* Winter only

Train

You can travel by train from London to Kandersteg utilizing Eurostar and TGV it takes about 11½ hours

We can book rail travel on Eurostar and onwards on SNCF/TGV to Switzerland. You can reach most resorts on the same day.

Straight there and back

Rail travel on Eurostar, TGV and SNCF and all seat reservations:

2nd class £60 per person supplement on with air prices
1st Class £130 per person supplement on with air prices

With a stop in Strasbourg

You may care to break the journey in each direction in a 3 star hotel, B & B, in Strasbourg. We will book you into a 3 star hotel very close to the station and the historic old town, and you will have time to explore this beautiful and famous city.

Rail travel on Eurostar, TGV and SNCF with 2 nights in a 3 star hotel in Strasbourg, 1 in each direction. Plus all seat reservations:
2nd class £150 per person supplement on with air prices
1st Class £220 per person supplement on with air prices

Prices are a guide and subject to availability.

Self Drive

If you wish to drive to Switzerland we provide advice on where to stay en route if you wish to break the journey as well as driving directions to find the hotel. We also advise on which hotels have car parks. Just use the ‘own travel arrangement’ prices and add a half fare card if required.

To drive on Swiss motorways you will need a motorway pass ‘Vignette’ we can obtain this for £26 which will save the queue at the border.

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Kandersteg

 2009
Please note these prices will differ from our current brochure price list and are the current correct prices

Hotel Standard 7 Nights (half-board) With Flights Add on Nights (half-board) Single Supp. per night Other room supplements per person per night Own Travel arrangements 7 nights half-board Low High Low High Low High *** Victoria Ritter £759 £837 £69 £78 £11 Superior £13 Mini Suite £24 £509 £587 ****Superior Doldenhorn £958 £1086 £109 £123 Low £11 High£20 Ambience £13 Junior Suite £65 £708 £836

High Season 1 July - 31 August and 1 December - 31 March
Low Season- the rest of the year

Important for details of our flight price policy click here

All holiday prices include 7 nights half board accommodation. 'With Flights' includes rail transfers between the airport and hotel and a half fare transport card and typical flight price from London to Switzerland. Also self guided walkers receive our unique walking booklet for your chosen area and best local walking map.

Guideline for other airports Birmingham £40 Manchester £40.

Own Travel prices does not include flight or Swiss card.

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For information on:

• Children
• Methods of payment
• Deposits and balance payments
• Holiday insurance
• Fuel supplements

Please click here

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 £12 per bag per direction.

Switzerland- Internal travel

Please note we include a Swiss Card in our Standard “with flight” prices for all our centered holidays except Davos where all local busses and mountain railways are free. For Davos we include return rail tickets only
to/from Zurich Airport other airports at a supplement.

Swiss Card

Gives free transfers by rail from the airport of your choice or international border crossing to your chosen resort. Any reasonable route is permitted. It also includes a 50% discount during your stay for all rail and postbus services plus discounts on most funicular railways chair lifts gondolas and cable cars.
To purchase separately £118. Upgrade to First Class £62.

Swiss transfer card

Gives free transfers by rail from the airport of your choice or international border crossing to your chosen resort. Any reasonable route is permitted. Useful for very short stays. £85 Upgrade to First Class £54

Swiss half fare card
Gives 50% discount during your stay for all rail and post bus services plus discounts on most funicular railways chairlifts gondolas and cable cars. Useful for those arriving by car. £65.

Family card
Free travel on most transport for all children under 16 years travelling with their parents.

Two & Multi Centre Holidays - Switzerland

We are able to put together any 2 or 3 centre holidays. For pricing just add the extra night price at the second location to the first location’s ‘base’ price.
For example 7 nights Zermatt (Europe) and 7 nights Davos (Morosani Post) low season £736 + £553 (7 times £79) = total £1289.
Or call us and we will happily prepare a quote. For total stays of more than 10 nights we include rail tickets between locations.
For more than 13 nights we upgrade them to First Class.