oeschinensee.hike, sleep, single

Transportation, Travel and Trips
1
Hi there,

Is the area safe for hiking alone both in terms of possibility of getting lost or encountering wild life (humans or animals).

Pictures look stunning. Is reality as good and worth it?

Any recommended routes? I am planning to sleep there overnight.

Thanks

2
You may encounter some humans. They are harmless unless provoked.

3
Yes, it is stunning.

We visited last September and there were still plenty of people up there. For the views you see in the all the photos take the upper path to the left from the cable car station.

If you use the cable car system to go up then the hike to the lake is very easy. There is even an electric taxi to transport to transport those who can't/don't wish to hike.

Unable to comment on the route if you choose to hike up from the bottom.

Have fun!

4
If you are really into serious hiking, you can consider Hohtürli.

To Griesalp with the Postauto, hike to Blümisalphütte via Hohtürlipass, then down to Oeschinensee then Kandersteg with, if required, an overnight stay en route.

Google for "hohtürli oeschinensee"

5
The walk up is ok, but not very interesting, and hard work for little reward.

Take the cable car.

The lake and the immediate area is very popular, ie busy.

When walking to the lake from the cable car, keep bearing left, there are less people and it's a nicer walk.

Far nicer is take the other cable car to Sunnbuel. From there you can walk to Gemmi, via the hotel Schwarenbach and Daubensee. From Gemmi you can walk back or take the Gemmi cable car down and get a train back to Kandersteg.

Fantastic scenery and a view of the Matterhorn from Gemmi.

Alternatives, from Sunnbuel walk to the Gallihorn, https://www.kandersteg.ch/en/s/mount...-trails?t=8663 then along the ridge to drop down left to the Schwarenbach hotel then back to Sunnbuel on the main path, or from Gallihorn, drop down to the valley on the other side, Inner Uschene, then back down to Kandersteg.

Alternative 2, Sunnbuel, head onwards towards Schwarenbach, but take the left turn and walk back down to Kandersteg. Take an hour to walk in 'hidden' Kander valley on the right.

https://www.kandersteg.ch/en/s/mountain-hiking-trails

What do you mean by sleep there overnight? Camp, hut or hotel in town?

6
Berghotel by the lake. I am thinking of going up there on Wednesday, sleep the night and then the next day come down partially hiking and then continue via public transport. As I have never hiked alone, I am concerned if I may get lost on the way.

7

Personally I would not walk down, it's very steep, a real toe crusher. You could come down on the cable car, take the bus to Eggeschwand ( Sunnbuel base station ) go up, and then walk down from there ( by walking away from Sunnbuel then going left, do not turn right at Sunnbuel, the path is very steep) or along just to Schwarenbach hotel and return.

Ochsinsee also has this walk. https://www.kandersteg.ch/en/s/mount...-trails?t=8669

hint: if you click on the map, it opens up and you can see every path, you could print them off.

I'd say it is impossible to get lost around that area if you have a smart phone.

8
i've hiked up to the lake, and then to the hut.

It's an easy hike and the hut is nice.

On the way down, i did the loop around the lake.

It is fantastic but quite dangerous in my opinion, although you see all kind of hikers doing it, with pets too... Do not do it if you are afraid of heights. A good part of it is on a cliff (there are ropes and rods to hang on, but one miss step and ... In some places there is barely space for 2 people to cross)

9
There are two ways leading down (actually several more). The steep one is the one at the cable car station (Which is 100m above the lake!). The easier one starts at the lake: https://map.wanderland.ch/?lang=de&b...rackId=5805559

That is a real serious hike.

It is very, very worthwhile to get back over the Heuberg. Astonishing, breathtaking view.

https://www.oeschinensee.ch/sommer/wandern/heuberg/

Some people can get lost on the oddest places. Others can navigate in the thickest mist with just a napkin and a toothpick.

10
download the swissmobility app to find the trials.

Up from Kandersteg to the lake then to the midlevel huts is beautiful. well worth it and safe.

11
The time has finally come and we are doing the hike this weekend. Luckily not alone! You had mentioned to avoid the loop. Looking at the attitude map ( https://www.oeschinensee.ch/sommer/wandern/ ) , 7 and 8 are looking good but both say hiking experience required. Any views if these are dangerous or just tiring? I can live with the latter but too much of a coward if it is dangerous.

Any thoughts?

thanks

12
I did this hike solo without any issues and without any equipment (walking sticks etc.). Just wear a good pair of hiking boots and enjoy! If you are unsteady on your feet, then perhaps you could fall, but as far as mountain hikes go, this is a breeze.

P.S. Don't take the cable car up...its really an easy hike and all of the tourists will ruin the experience. As soon as you get to the lake, go left and get away from the hoards of people.

13
7 is over the Hohtürli (2777 m)/Blüemlisalphütte to the Griessalp (One way)

https://www.schweizmobil.ch/de/wande...ppe-01558.html

https://www.oeschinensee.ch/sommer/w...mlisalphuette/ (At the time of writing the map does not show the correct path!)

8 is the Heuberg Rundweg (Round trip). https://www.oeschinensee.ch/sommer/wandern/heuberg/

http://www.wanderrouten.ch/oeschinensee.htm

7 and 8 share the path from the Oeschinensee up to Oberbärgli (1978 m) which is the highest point of 8.

The Restaurant Unterbärgli is currently closed!

https://www.kandersteg.ch/de/s/berghuetten-oeschinensee

8 is much simpler compared to 7 which is a true alpine hike. Suitable shoes, cloths, enough food and water, hiking experience, and specially no vertigo makes 8 a very enjoyable and scenic tour.

In the end the mountains are inherently dangerous, weather can change, paths can be slippery when wet, and a misstep and lead to a deep fall. People may forget, but that is even true for the Uetliberg.

14
thanks - don't laugh but I have no idea if I have vertigo. I know I don't like heights but whether that would trigger any vertigo or dizziness, can't say.

15
We’re sleeping there and doing the hike the next day starting from the lake. Your post gave me some hope that may be I can do it and not too big a deal. Thanks

16
I would strongly recommend to do a couple of hours of boldering before, it helps!

17
I have vertigo in some situations but never when on solid ground of good old mother earth, regardless how deep and steep it goes down next to me. On the other hand I would never climb up the tower of Pisa.

18
Not laughing at all...but have you been in the mountains yet?

19
Fair comment yes I have been numerous times with no problems. The only time I was slightly scared was one spot at the Aletsch glacier hiking where there was a narrow corner with not much to hang to.

20
I did trip number 7 from Griesalp to Kandersteg (Hohtürli) on the 30th of August. It is a day trip. It is tough but not dangerous (see pictures)

Also consider for another time the Griesalp to Mürren via Sefinenfurgge. There is no lake but the views over the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau are, on a good day, spectacular.