Kandersteg - Muddy Boots?

Old Aug 31st, 2015, 04:49 AM
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Kandersteg - Muddy Boots?

We will be in the BO area from September 20-25. We've been in Switzerland a number of times but never did the Kandersteg to Oeschensee trip. In "Lonely Planet" they say something about if you show up there without muddy boots you'll get funny looks. So, my friends think therefore it will be a slog to walk or hike there. However, that's the first I've heard about muddyness.  I figure maybe in the Spring, but in September?

Anyone have any experience there?
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Old Aug 31st, 2015, 04:32 PM
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I've only walked it in late April, so this may not apply... the chairlift to the Oeschinensee (Oeschinen Lake) wasn’t operating, so we walked up and back down.

According to my trip report from that particular visit:

"...The path was partly hiking trail, road and ski run, and it was a bit on the steep side, but it was a very pretty walk. We encountered snow, mud and a creek or two. It took us 90 minutes to reach the closed Oeschinensee Hotel, where we trudged through thigh deep snow to access a bench overlooking the lake for a picnic lunch. It was stunning.

After lunch we continued walking along a wooded path above the lake and past an assortment of wood sculptures to the waterfall. There was loads of snow and it was incredibly peaceful. We then backtracked and detoured to the Sesselbahn (chairlift), planning to walk down from there for a different return to Kandersteg. Instead of a path, we found a steep drop off under the chairlift, so we walked back towards the lake and returned the way we had come.

It was a beautiful day, a great walk with eye popping views of the surrounding peaks and scattered spring flowers poking their heads through the snow..."

Hope this helps.
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Old Sep 1st, 2015, 05:04 AM
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Meinq - Thank you. "Thigh deep snow" - Wow! Not really sure how much your experience would be ours since you went in April as you say, and we're gong in September. Also we're not doing that hike as the cable car will be running (hopefully!).

But, of course, we're not sure about the "muddy" and that's why I'm posting this on Fodors.
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Old Sep 1st, 2015, 06:05 AM
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Yeah, a whole different animal in September. Personally, I'd not worry too much about mud, but as you can probably tell, it wouldn't deter us much anyway. I'd wear sturdy boots/shoes regardless.
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Old Sep 2nd, 2015, 05:15 AM
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Anyone else?
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Old Sep 2nd, 2015, 11:31 AM
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We hiked back DOWN (so hard on the knees) in September. I don't recall any areas of unusual muddiness. We took the chairlift up and hiked to the lake...beautiful!

If you have an opportunity to visit the secluded towns of Loetschental after Goppenstein, I heartily recommend it! Check to see if the bus is still running.
Take it to the furthest point(?Ried/Blatten/Wiler) and hike DOWN. We made the mistake of getting off early and hiked all uphill!
This area has the hideous masks of wood, cow/goat hair and was not readily accessible to the public until the mid1960s....
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Old Sep 2nd, 2015, 12:00 PM
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mokka4 - Backdown to where? Kleine Scheidigg? Or further?

Never heard of Goppenstein. Although I think I sat next to him in 2nd grade.
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Old Sep 2nd, 2015, 04:53 PM
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We hiked back down to Kandersteg town after Oeschinensee (mountaintop lake).
Really, read about Loetschental (valley). Its different from other areas of Switzerland. At the far edge is Aletsch glacier.
We hiked along a babbling brook with cuckoo calls in nature....
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Old Sep 2nd, 2015, 04:58 PM
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More info @ www.loetschental.ch/en
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Old Sep 3rd, 2015, 04:28 AM
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OK. we won't be hiking down to Kandersteg from Oeschinensee. Will be taking cable car back. I will read your link about Loetschental.
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