Oeschinen Lake (German: Oeschinensee) is a lake in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland, 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) east of Kandersteg in the Oeschinen valley. At an elevation of 1,578 metres (5,177 ft), it has a surface area of 1.1147 square kilometres (0.4304 sq mi). Its maximum depth is 56 metres (184 ft).Put Oeschinen Lake on your schedule, and learn what else deserves a visit by using our Kandersteg route planner.
The lake was created by a giant landslide and is fed through a series of mountain creeks and drains underground. The water then resurfaces as the Oeschibach. Part of it is captured for electricity production and as water supply for Kandersteg.
In observations from 1931 to 1965, the elevation of the lake surface varied between 1,566.09 metres (5,138.1 ft) and 1,581.9 metres (5,190 ft). The average seasonal variation was 12.2 metres (40 ft) (September/April).
The lake is generally frozen during five months, from December to May. From time to time ice skating is possible on the ice.
Fish in the lake include Arctic char (Seesaibling), lake trout (Kanadische Seeforelle), rainbow trout (Regenbogenforelle). From January to March, ice fishing is popular.
A gondola lift from Kandersteg leads to Oeschinen, 25 minutes by foot from the lake.
Since 2007 the lake is part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As of summer 2021, a circumnavigation of Lake Oeschinen is not possible. The reason for this is the danger of an imminent rockfall on the south shore, which is why paths are closed there.
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Tours to Oeschinen Lake
Oeschinen Lake reviews
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Cable car ride from Kandersteg An easy walk of about an hour to an observation point above the lake, and a descent to the lake (a few more minutes...) and that's it You can sit, breathe the pleasant..... more
Cable car ride from Kandersteg An easy walk of about an hour to an observation point above the lake, and a descent to the lake (a few more minutes...) and that's it You can sit, breathe the pleasant..... more »
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Great place for day trip with small kids. Bit of fun, a bit more hiking (4 & 6yrs old boys + baby), and swimming in cold lake. Pure Nature. We just loved it
Great place for day trip with small kids. Bit of fun, a bit more hiking (4 & 6yrs old boys + baby), and swimming in cold lake. Pure Nature. We just loved it more »
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One of the most beautiful and scenic views in Switzerland 🇨🇭. We were hiking from the cable car (return trip 30CHF) it took us approximately one hour of slow hike (many photos) the scenery is just stunning. There are many benches in the view if you need rest even though the hike is very easy. Anyone can do it. There are few dining options if you feel hungry or thirsty or just need to rest and warm up. We went in the winter time and the way was frozen. Please keep in mind to have appropriate shoes for this time of year otherwise you will be crawling like I did.
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If you ask my opinion, this is a must visit in Swiss. Appropriately considered by many to the most beautiful mountain lake in the Alps, it’s a Unesco World Heritage. The water is turquoise blue with a impressive mountain scenery. It will take you 30 mins to reach Lake Oeschinen from the gondola station. There is also an E shuttle bus that runs daily from 11:30 am till 17 hrs. There are multiple hiking paths around. You can take the long mountain roads or also take the mountain path to go to the lake. I recommend going early in the summer months so that you can enjoy most of the day. Toilets and restaurants available. If you choose the hiking path, I highly recommend water, sunscreen and good shoes. Keep a swim suit in your back pack or you can as well take a quick shower in the waterfall. The lake is absolutely breathtaking and picturesque.
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