Kandersteg Blog 2... Oeschinensee

The beautiful mountain lake of Oeschinensee was the reason why we first visited Kandersteg. We had never been to the Swiss Alps before, we were very happy exploring the French side of this great mountain range, but then we saw a picture in a holiday brochure ( yes it was that long ago, before the internet!). We admired this wonderful photograph of a lake that looked almost too good to be true. It was surrounded by high mountains and yet at the same time, it looked very accessible. We kept returning to this picture and wondering how it would feel to be there, what the surrounding area might be like and how easy would it be to get there. Well in the end we had to find out. When somewhere calls out to you like Oeschinensee did to us, you have to respond.
So we planned a trip to Kandersteg with the aim of seeing this magical looking lake that seemed like nowhere we had ever been before. It was to be just the one trip to find out and then we would go back to our first love, that of exploring France and it's mountains. Well we hadn't allowed for the fact that we would be blown away by the sheer brilliance of the scenery around Kandersteg and the impression that it would make on us, so much so that we went back there at every possible opportunity over the next twenty years.

The magnificent mountain lake of Oeschinensee.

The lake is accessible on foot, taking just over an hour from the village, or by cablecar. We usually take the cablecar which terminates just fifteen minutes (flat) walk from the lake. Taking this option means we still have all our energy left to enjoy the higher footpaths around Oeschinensee. There isn't actually a path all the way around the lake due to the steep cliff face you can see in the photograph, but there is a Hohnweg (high path) up to the mountain farms of Ober Bargli and Unter Bargli, before returning to the lake. Or there is a path up from Ober Bargli to Hohturli and beyond into Kientaal. the col on the left of the picture is Hohturli, it may not look far in the picture but it is a good four hour walk from Oeschinensee. From the other side of the lake it is possible to access the Frunden Hut, a very steep and exposed route, as you will see from later photographs showing the hut.

The gondola style cablecar that replaced the old open, two seater chairlift in recent years.

The upper cablecar station and the view back down to Kandersteg.

The Blumlisalp (centre) is the very impressive backdrop to Oeschinensee, with the Wissi Frau to the left and the Frundenhorn to the right.

With mountains on all sides, this shot is looking back over the lake towards Bire.

The summer farm of Unter Bargli is situated on the green shelf to the left.

The spring flowers are magnificent in the mountains, with June being the optimum time. This is a rampion, with a rather spectacular backdrop.

Globe orchid

There are a couple of very nice cafes / retaurants. It can get quite busy around the lake, after all, it is a beautiful place with good access, but a few minutes walk can soon get you away from the crowds. Did I say crowds? It's a relative thing isn't it, it never gets crowded, it just feels a lot busier than most places around here, but there are times, especially early in the morning when you can have the place all to yourself.

And it just has to be my favourite place for a lunch stop!

On this occasion we took the path along the side of the lake, there are some spectacular waterfalls dropping sharply into the waters below.

The path winds, quite steeply at times, up above the lake. There are spectacular views all the way and if it's the right time of year, some wonderful alpine meadows full of flowers.

Arriving on the Unter Bargli shelf there is a wooden bridge to cross before the final meadow in front of the farm.

There are always plenty of rocks for a sit down and admire the views.

Though you could face some competition if you pick the wrong rock!

The alp know as Unter Bargli.

The summer farm of Unter Bargli, which is also open for refreshments straight from the farm.

Looking directly across the lake to the Frunden Hut. Perched high up in the mountains as a staging post for climbers attempting the Frundernhorn, I have never managed to see a route up to this hut that looks walkable, though I have been assured that it is.

This time we returned to Oeshinensee by the same path we had come up on. It is a very good path, but as this picture shows, you have to keep your wits about you as a stumble here could have serious consequences.

The whole area is covered in flowers. This one is a butterfly orchid.

Also worth looking out for the butterflies too. This is a common swallowtail, a name that I feel undervalues it's absolute beauty.

A viper's bugloss growing high above Oeschinensee.

The minute and very elusive black vanilla orchid.

Scabious

Marsh orchids

Wild alpine rose

St Bruno's Lily

Globe orchid

Monkshood

Globe flowers

Fragrant orchid

Fly orchid

On the edge of the forest, around the lake, some of the trees  have been carved into interesting works of art.

From Oeschinensee you can take the cablecar back to the village, or like us, take the path and enjoy the views of Kandersteg and the Kander valley.

There are plenty of opportunities to sit and enjoy the views.

There are lots of walks around Kandersteg, everyone of them wonderful, everyone of them has it's own characteristics and it's own views. . . . . So, where should we go tomorrow?