This is the Oeschinensee, one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the Swiss Alps, and one of our favorite stops during our 9-day inn-to inn hike through the Berner Oberland. The hiking day is a big one. We begin in a remote valley called the Kiental and climb 1,370 meters (nearly 4,500 feet) to the 2,778 meter-high Hohtürli pass. A side trip at the pass takes us to the dramatically situated Blüemlisalphütte (2,840 meters) which serves one of the best Käseschnitte (Swiss cheese on white wine-drenched toast), that you’ve ever tasted. Accompanied by an optional (but highly recommended) glass of Schnapps, the Käseschnitte is especially warming on a rainy or snowy afternoon! Following lunch, we descend past the beautiful Oeschinensee (Oeschinen Lake) and finish in the tranquil Swiss village of Kandersteg. The hiking distance for the day is around 17 kilometers/10 miles with 1,450 meters/4,757 feet of ascent and 1,700 meters/5,577 feet of descent.
