Special offers

Fun on the water – Oeschinen Lake

Swimming, fishing, a turn at the oars on a rowing boat – Oeschinen Lake has everything you need for a perfect summer excursion

Rent a rowing boat and explore the lake as a romantic outing, or to send out a fishing line. Maybe you’ll be lucky and land a fish. Discover the untouched nature around Oeschinen Lake while swimming, fishing and boating. Let your soul unwind and enjoy the stunning views of the Blüemlisalp massif.

With the train travel from Bern directly to Kandersteg. You can reach Oeschinensee from the upper station of the Oeschinensee gondola lift on foot in 25 minutes or by electric vehicle in 10 minutes.

Attraction

Boat rental

Let your soul unwind out on the lake.

People have been taking romantic rowing boat rides on the lake for some 120 years. And to this day, time stands still on a boat trip on Oeschinen Lake. Sit down, cast off and forget the world.

Berghaus Arva Oeschinensee boat rental

Fishing on the mountain lake

Fishing is a year-round activity out on picturesque Oeschinen Lake. Practice (and patience) makes perfect, as mountain lake fishing is a discipline all of its own. The time of day and the weather are critical to your success.

Try your luck! Day and weekly passes can be purchased from the restaurants on Oeschinen Lake, and fishing boats can be rented from the Berghaus Arva Oeschinensee. Just remember that you will need to bring equipment such as grubs, worms, hooks and rods with you. The Mountain Lakes Fishing Law of the Canton of Bern applies when fishing on Oeschinen Lake.

Swimming in the lake

Enjoy a refreshing dip in the clear mountain lake. The water is very clean, but very cold throughout most of the year. In high summer, however, the water temperature can reach 20°C, making it a very popular place to swim. Simple bathing areas with pebble beaches can be found on the western banks of the lake. Infrastructure such as changing huts is not available.

Opening times Today (Friday) open

Rowing boats

9 May to 8 November 2026
Boats available during the operating times of the gondola cableway and only in fair weather.

Gondola cableway

16 March to 8 May 2026 – gondola cableway closed
9 May to 20 September 2026: 08.30–18.00 hours
21 September to 8 November 2026: 08.30–17.00 hours

Sports equipment (such as bicycles) will not be carried.

Restaurants

The restaurants are open during the operating times of the gondola cableway.

Subject to change without prior notice

Rates

Smart ticketing for the Kandersteg - Oeschinensee gondola lift

Online booking recommended

Boarding pass with time slot for the ascent: choose a fixed time slot for the ascent when purchasing your ticket and avoid waiting times.
Flexible planning: time slots can be easily rebooked online free of charge.
The descent can be started at any time.
Tickets can still be purchased on site at the ticket machines as long as capacity is available.

Online booking with timeslot

CHF 27.20 Adults, one-way 09.05.–13.06. / 21.09.–08.11.
CHF 31.20 Adults, one-way 14.06.–20.09.
CHF 36.00 Adults, return 09.05.–13.06. / 21.09.–08.11.
CHF 40.00 Adults, return 14.06.–20.09.
CHF 14.10 Children (6–15.99 years) / Half-Fare / GA, one-way 09.05.–13.06. / 21.09.–08.11.
CHF 18.10 Children (6–15.99 years) / Half-Fare / GA, one-way 14.06.–20.09.
CHF 18.50 Children (6–15.99 years) / Half-Fare / GA, return 09.05.–13.06. / 21.09.–08.11.
CHF 22.50 Children (6–15.99 years) / Half-Fare / GA, return 14.06.–20.09.

CHF 26.20 Adults, downhill journey
CHF 13.10 Children (6–15.99 years) / Half-Fare / GA, downhill journey

The Junior Travelcard is valid on gondola lift rides when accompanied by a parent. Please present/exchange at the ticket office.

CHF 38.00 Rowing boat 1 hour
CHF 100.00 Fishing boat 1 day

A maximum of 4 people are allowed per rowing boat.

The fishing boats have a fish box and anchor. A full day rental is from 09.00 to 18.00 hours.

If Chalet Arva is closed (on Mondays and Tuesdays and in May, June, September and October), fishing boats are only available before 10.30 hours. with advance reservation by 12.00 hours the day before.

You can reserve the boats at the following telephone number:

+41 33 675 11 66 Arva – Berghaus am Oeschinensee

CHF 32.00 Adults
CHF 20.00 Children up to 15.99 years

Prices in CHF incl. VAT / Prices and products subject to alteration

BLS suggestion

You can reach the deep blue Lake Oeschinen from the mountain station in about 25 minutes on foot or in 10 minutes by electric scooter.

Take the UNESCO electric bus to the Oeschinensee mountain lake

The environmentally friendly electric bus takes you comfortably to Oeschinen Lake and back again.

Limited capacity; priority given to people with disabilities

Timetable

Mid-May to mid-October

First trip from gondola cableway mountain station 11.00 hours
First trip from Berghotel Oeschinensee 11.30 hours

How to get there

Travel by train to Kandersteg. From Kandersteg station you can take the local bus or walk (15 minutes) to the Oeschinensee cable car station. From the mountain station you will reach Lake Oeschinen in about 25 minutes on foot or in 10 minutes by electric bus.