Hiking with kids: From the Oeschinen Lake back to the valley

 

photo by -josr-

At the box office when purchasing one-way tickets (18francs for adults, children 6-16yrs 9fr.), nice lady behind the counter – looking at our golf buggy  – asked, if we really want to hike down. At my nod she replied that the whole trail is not suitable for strollers. I assured her that I have a baby carrier in a backpack and three strong guys to take the stroller if necessary 🙂

photo by -josr-

photo by -josr-

 

photo by -josr-

 

From the cable car to the lake

After that we took a pleasant walk along a trail No.2 to the lake. Since we went on our trip midweek , the way didn´t resemble a main highway full of tourists as last time. On coming at the first lookout I was very glad that our visit had been so enthralled from the view of the turquoise lake like we were when we first saw it.  Terrible kitsch, but so beautiful! And then a close look into the crystal clear water!

Back to the valley

After a short refreshment and catching the sunshine by the lake we set off on our journey down to the valley. At that time I’ve had our little girl in the baby carrier, although the start of the trail Nr. 4 was easily passable with a stroller since it was a tarmac road. But then the trail curved into the forest where a typical yellow diamond-shaped pointer was heading. Maybe the walk down to the valley with strollers would be possible if one continued along the tarmac road (which is apparently used to supply two lakeside restaurants and operation of ski lifts). But you would have missed, for example, look at the gurgling mountain stream, small waterfalls, chance to drink ice water, jumping over rocks and roots as a mountain chamois …

Mommy the Sherpa

View of Kandersteg in the valley

Well, I had a little regret for our four-year-old, because he had to strain a lot his short legs, but finally, he had mastered it bravely. Big thanks also belong to my dad, who drove our buggy stroller the whole time selflessly and carried it over the obstacles and pitfalls of the mountain trail.

We managed the whole hike in about 2 hours. The first part – from the cable car station to the lake – we managed (even with a pause taking photos at the lookout) in less than an hour, the second part – from the lake to the car park in an hour and a quarter. We walked 6.13 kilometers and descended 500 meters.

PS: It seems that I am obsessed with my new watch, right? Um … it just does not seem so, I really am 😀

If you don´t want to miss any of my recent posts please sign up for my blog in the top right hand corner of this page. Thank you 🙂

I will appreciate any time if you share my posts on Facebook or Twitter. It helps get my blog out to more people, who may like my posts.

And of course I look forward to reading all you comments.