Kandersteg

Kandersteg lies at about eleven hundred and seventy metres at the head of the Kander valley, hemmed by the Bluemlisalp and the Doldenhorn. Two things define it. First, it is a junction: the Lotschberg tunnel starts here and cars are loaded onto trains to be carried through to the Valais, so a quiet mountain village handles constant vehicle traffic that never drives its streets. Second, it hosts the Kandersteg International Scout Centre, established in 1923 on Baden-Powell's initiative as a permanent world centre for Scouting, which brings thousands of young people from many countries each year. Above the village Oeschinensee sits in a rock amphitheatre, and the Gemmi pass path leads over to Leukerbad.

What you actually see

• A car-carrying rail tunnel - vehicles loaded through to the Valais.
• The world Scout centre - permanent since 1923, on Baden-Powell's initiative.
• Oeschinensee above - the lake in its rock amphitheatre.
• The Gemmi route - the old pass path over to Leukerbad.

When to go

June to October, or the ski season. Two days.

Honest expectations

The car-train terminal brings queues and traffic on holiday weekends. The village is stretched along one road. Lifts to Oeschinen close between seasons. The Gemmi crossing is a full day and needs transport arranged at the far end.

Nearby

Oeschinensee is above; Blausee and Gasterntal are in the valley.