Page 90 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Switzerland

EXPERIENCE Mittelland, Bernese Oberland and Valais

4 \-
OESCHINENSEE

! D4 ⌂ 66 km (41 miles) SE of Bern £ Kandersteg railway
station # Cable car, electric shuttle, toboggan run: hours
vary, check website ∑ oeschinensee.ch/en
Cradled between glaciers and ancient pine woods and
surrounded by fiercely steep mountains, the turquoise
Oeschinensee is one of Switzerland’s most stunning
glacial lakes. It is also the western gateway to the
Jungfrau Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Few places in the country are as picture perfect as the exquisite
Oeschinensee, nestled between the sheer drop of the Blüemlisalp
and a prettily wooded shore. Set at a height of 1,578 m (5,177 ft), VIA FERRATA
the lake is usually frozen in winter. Ice skating is possible some The mountain village
years, while ice fishing is a popular activity from January to of Kandersteg is the
March: the lake is home to delicious rainbow trout and Arctic starting point of the
char. Some gentle skiing is also available on the slopes sur­ Kandersteg-Allmenalp
rounding the lake. The lake is at its best during the summer, via ferrata. Starting
when its crystal­clear waters beckon brave swimmers: fed by at the railway station,
a series of mountain creeks, the water remains ice cold all year. this tough climb soon
Kayaking and hiking lure out doorsy types, while thrill­seekers becomes vertical, and
make a beeline for an exhilarating via ferrata (protected climb­ requir es the use of iron
ing route) and the epic summer toboggan run. Most visitors just cam hooks drilled into
come to relax and enjoy the peace ful surroundings with a picnic the rock. The Allmibach
hamper full of tasty local produce. The easiest way to access the river itself is crossed
lake is via the cable car from the village of Kandersteg (p99), fol­ using two rope bridges.
lowed by a short shuttle ride or a pleasant 25­minute walk.
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