Travel Eye on Kandersteg (Switzerland)

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Overview:

Kandersteg is a charmingly unspoilt, tranquil village, despite being the last stop on the line prior to the busy 9-ml-long, car-carrying Lotschberg rail tunnel (built 1913), which links north Switzerland with Italy.

The ribbon-like resort stretches 2½ mls N to S with the small hub centred close to the railway station. Life is run at a slow, quiet pace and Kandersteg's main season is summer, when it is well known for its walking opportunities, with 50 mls of hiking trails; Oeschinen Lake above the resort is also a popular summer fishing and boating venue.

This resort is suitable for peace-loving families and mature visitors who enjoy walking in summer, or want a quiet base in winter for learning the rudiments of skiing on unintimidating slopes; also popular with cross-country skiers. More experienced skiers, shoppers and night owls will be disappointed.

The accommodation here is generally small- to medium-sized family-run hotels and pensions with one genuine 5-star establishment. The majority stand beside main road that runs the length of valley to the Sunnbuel cable car and Lotschberg Tunnel. Also a large international scout centre.

Locality:

Kandersteg is in the upland Bernese Oberland region (28 mls SW of Interlaken. 17 mls S of Spiez. 43 mls SE of Berne. 105 mls SW of Zurich airport. 130 mls NE of Geneva airport). It is situated at the end of a long, narrow valley, flanked on all sides by wooded slopes and stunning jagged mountains; ends S-wards in the face of steep escarpments and forests.

Entertainment/Activities/Things To Do:

The ski-school office is at the tourist office with all ski-schools meeting at the top of the Oeschinen chair-lift, where there are nursery slopes and a ski-kindergarten; English instruction is available.

There are a few souvenir shops, selling the usual Swiss trinkets, army knives etc. Couple of sports shops, small supermarket and a handful of assorted stores necessary for village life.

Kandersteg is a popular summer base for hiking, paragliding, riding and mountaineering. There is a summer toboggan run; an outdoor pool; facilities for tennis; pools for fishing and boating on the Oeschinen Lake.

The nightlife here is confined to a few bars and mainly hotel restaurants.

For food there is little choice outside the hotels, which offer mainly Swiss cuisine. There are also 4 mountain restaurants.