We had hiked here the
previous year, and were amazed at the beauty.
Having it at close hand from Kandersteg was a treat. We made three trips. Our first day in
Kandersteg, we were trying to stay busy so we could go to sleep at a normal,
but local time. The second was on a
whim one beautiful afternoon, for a leisurely walk. The third was a hot sunny
day when Amy and I were alone. Our niece and Peter were tired, so we left her
babysitting while we went up and hiked.
A chairlift from the upper
edge of Kandersteg quickly ascends into the alps meadows. It is a snowboard, alpine and cross-country
ski area, but in June it was relatively quiet. It was too early for the bulk of
the tourists, and away from the masses of the major attractions.
At the top of the lift is
the Sommer Rodelbahn, a summer track bobsled ride. We each had several rides on the day of the leisurely walk. When
Amy and I had our own walk, we left our teenage niece and son to ride a few
before they “hung out” at the chalet.
Our first trip was on a cool
day, with low clouds and threatening rain. Even so, the walk is a magical. The path leads for 20 minutes from the
upper chair terminal to the lake, a gently rolling walk on a wide path, through
the forests and alps. In the distance, are cliffs and occasional
waterfalls. The lake is not visible
until near the end of the walk, but it suddenly appears below and directly in
front, surrounded by towering mountains, sheer cliffs and waterfalls to the
lake below. At the end of the path are
a couple of Gasthaus’s with outdoors seating, but few people were out on this
day. After playing at the lake for a
few minutes, we decided to hike back down to Kandersteg. It is an easy trail downhill, two miles or
so, following a stream that first parallels the chair lift, but then courses to
the opposite side of the valley. It approaches the base of the cliffs, with
nearly constant views of waterfalls. It
was a perfect end of our first day, and our mission was accomplished-we was
bushed.
Our other hike was on a hot
day. For two weeks, a high-pressure
system parked over Switzerland, bringing hot and clear weather. How hot you
say? 35 C. in Bern, 30 in
Kandersteg. We were nearing the end of our stay, and this would
be our last time up to Oeschinensee. We followed the now familiar path towards
the lake, but before reaching the first view, deviated left on a trail that
climbed gradually to the top of the steep slopes and cliffs down to the lake.
It was hot. Shorts and coolmax were in order.
Occasional benches were placed at magnificent views. One was in the
shade, deep beneath a massive rock overhang, providing a moment of shade on a
break. At another point a waterfall
plunges from above, 50 yards from the trail.
The cool shower was irresistible, and evaporation kept me cool for some
time later. The trail continued to
climb, with views of the cliffs, glaciers and peaks high above the lake which
varied from deep blue to emerald green in color, fed by a dozen
waterfalls.
As we neared the top, the
trail a stream crossed the trail from the left, plunged far below to the lake.
The trail then emptied into the high alps meadows. Cows looked up as we invaded
their sanctuary, munching on flowers and grass alike. After a picnic lunch (the usual cheese, breads, dried fruit,
chocolate, and occasional wurst), we turned back, taking a moment for another
cooling shower. On the way back we drop down on a trail that leads to the
lakeshore, the forest sculpture garden and the brush where we saw a fox last
year. Following this trail, 100 yards
above the rocky shoreline, we saw others picnicking a mile away. This group had
their own waterfall, and we could see them playing and dancing around under
it. Once we reached the Gasthaus, it is
nearly time to turn back, but on this day cool ice cream or a cold bier was in
order. Then and only then did we amble
back to the chair lift, and down to Kandersteg.
Oeschinensee Photos- most amazing lake and surrounding mountains. About
a dozen falls enter the lake. Accumulated photos from a couple of hikes
Kandersteg to
Oeschinensee (Jewel of the Alps) 2001
Swiss Oberland, 2002 Home Page