Oeschinen Lake

"Öschinensee is a stunning lake nestled in the Öschinen mountains, located near Kandersteg. To get there, take the train to Kandersteg station, then walk through a quaint village for about 20 minutes until you see signs for the cable car. You can either take the cable car or hike up the mountain (if you prefer a more challenging route). Once you reach the top, it's a 15-minute walk to the lake, and the view is simply breathtaking. I highly recommend hiking to get a panoramic view from above. Behind the restaurant, you'll find the trail leading to Hueber-Oberbergli-Unterbergli. This hike is essential for experiencing the lake’s true beauty. For non-hikers, the initial part of the hike might seem daunting due to the steep elevation and potential slipperiness if it has rained. This first section takes around 40 minutes to an hour, depending on your fitness level. However, once you pass it, you’ll be rewarded with an incredible panoramic view: the rich blue lake below, the imposing Blüemlisalp mountains in front, waterfalls cascading down nearby cliffs, eagles soaring overhead, and possibly even sightings of ibex. The peacefulness of this place, especially on weekdays, is unparalleled. The entire hike around the lake takes about four hours, offering a truly amazing and immersive experience in the heart of the Swiss Alps."

"The best time to do this hike is in the afternoon or at sunset! The water is absolutely stunning but is definitely the most blue in the middle of the day. We came here for sunset and were the only ones there as the mountains had incredible red alpine glow. There is a $10 Entrance fee to go inside the park but it does include the boat ride. HOWEVER if you stay for sunset keep in mind the gondola to get up here will be closed and you’ll need to hike the rest of the way down yourselves which adds an additional hour of hiking. It wasn’t bad but make sure to have headlamps, layers, and downloaded maps to make sure you stay on track as it can be fairly easy to get lost on the trail below the gondola."

"The way to reach the hike is to go to Kandersteg by train from Interlaken and then take a cable car to the Oeschinen Lake. The cable car is free as part of the Bernese Oberland Pass"