page_title: Kandersteg
section_title: Tourism
hierarchical_section_title: Kandersteg / Tourism
caption_attribution_description: English: Lake Oeschinen, Kandersteg
context_page_description: Kandersteg is a municipality in the Frutigen-Niedersimmental administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. It is located along the valley of the River Kander, west of the Jungfrau massif. It is noted for its spectacular mountain scenery and sylvan alpine landscapes. Tourism is a very significant part of its economic life today. It offers outdoor activities year-round, with hiking trails and mountain climbing as well as downhill and cross-country skiing.
context_section_description: A broad spectrum of accommodation characterises the village: from 5-star hotel to holiday apartments and camp sites. The International Scout Centre is located at the edge of the village. More than 14,000 Scouts from all over the world visit each year. Several mountain huts belonging to the Swiss Alpine Club are located in the valley.
  The Kander Valley has an extensive network of hiking trails from the valley floor to the mountaintops and passes. The most famous routes lead to the canton of Valais, across the Gemmi Pass straight to Leukerbad (with cable cars operating at each end) or  through the wild Gastern valley across the higher Lötschen Pass to the Lötschental.
  Lake Oeschinen is considered one of the most attractive in Switzerland and can be accessed by the Kandersteg-Oeschinen cablecar which replaced the chairlift that operated until September 7, 2008. Other cablecars serve the areas of Sunnbüel and Allmenalp.
  In winter over 50 kilometers (31 mi) of cross-country skiing trails (classic and skating) are available in the valley floor and higher up. Small downhill ski areas are located near Lake Oeschinen and Sunnbüel. A winter trail network connects the village to Blausee and to the Gemmi Pass. Other winter activities include skating, curling, ice climbing and ice fishing.
  Near Kandersteg is located the Ricola Alpine garden. Other attractions in the village include a 16th-century parish church.
caption: Lake Oeschinen
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