Kandersteg

Kandersteg is a municipality in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. It lies in the Bernese Oberland region, in the Kandertal valley along the Kander river, close to the border with Valais. The village serves as a gateway to alpine scenery and outdoor activities in the southern Bernese Alps. Its setting at the foot of the Blüemlisalp massif and above several high valleys makes it a popular base for hiking, mountaineering, and winter sports. The area around Kandersteg is primarily used for tourism and agriculture.

Oeschinen Lake (Oeschinensee), a glacially fed alpine lake, is one of the main attractions and is reached by a gondola from Kandersteg followed by a short walk. The lake and surrounding high country offer year-round outdoor recreation, including summer hikes and winter snow sports. The village is also associated with the Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC), founded in 1923, which operates year-round as a permanent international scouting site and hosts thousands of scouts from around the world.

From a transportation perspective, Kandersteg sits on the Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon railway and became a notable railway junction with the opening of the Lötschberg line in the early 20th century. The Lötschberg tunnel (1913) and, later, the Lötschberg base tunnel improved access to Valais and western Switzerland. The municipality is German-speaking and has a small resident population, with an economy focused on tourism, seasonal services, and local businesses.