From Ruedihus to Doldenhornhütte SAC

10.72 km long
Round trip
Difficulty: medium
Condition: medium
Hiking Trail
  • 4:20 h
  • 10.72 km
  • 800 m
  • 800 m
  • 1,170 m
  • 1,915 m
  • 745 m
  • Start: Kandersteg
  • Destination: Kandersteg

Mountain hiking route from Hotel Doldenhorn to Öschiwald. Cozy hospitality in the "Ruedihus", richly decorated with ornaments and inscriptions, where the stained glass windows reflect the sunlight glitteringly; immediate mountain proximity at the Doldenhornhütte, combined with the feeling of being secluded from the world and one with nature. In between a wonderful mountain hike and the certainty that the most impressive mountain lake in the Alps, Lake Oeschinen, is within hiking distance. What more could one wish for? Hard surfaces only in the residential area.

From Kandersteg train station, follow the BLS line upstream along the valley. Just before reaching Dorfstrasse, at Rain stands the magnificently preserved Ruedihus dating from 1853. One cannot cease to marvel when viewing the facade rich with inscriptions and ornaments with cozy, lead-framed, circular stained-glass windows. Then proceed to Hotel Doldenhorn at the forest edge and before it turn right into the woods. The ascent begins immediately. The path winds through the forest in many switchbacks up to point 1435 in Dürrenschwand (following the Schleife–Fisialp–Doldenhornhütte SAC loop takes 2 hours; only for absolutely sure-footed, confident mountain hikers as the path is very exposed in the early stretches at Obere Biberg). The trail now undulates gently through the mountain forest to Undere Biberg. Along the stream, with a steep climb, another steep section must be overcome before the path on Obere Biberg joins the alpine trail from Fisialp. About 100 meters of elevation still remain to reach the Doldenhornhütte SAC, where a lengthy rest is recommended, as the hut stands on a ridge offering fascinating panoramic views: the left side of the Kandertal is bordered by Bunderspitz, First, Stand, Chilchhore, and Elsighorn. Bire, Zallershorn, Dündenhorn, Bundstock, and Schwarzhorn form the opposite mountain range. Over the nearby Lake Oeschinen rise the walls, glaciers, and firn of the Blüemlisalp, while behind the Fisistöcke mighty rock masses must have tumbled down in prehistoric times. What a fascinating mountain world!
For the descent to Kandersteg, follow the ascent route back to Undere Biberg, then turn right crossing the stream towards the cliff ledges. Caution when entering the so-called Bäretritt, which leads very steeply down into Öschiwald (40 minutes to Lake Oeschinen, 1 hour 10 minutes to the chairlift top station). The path leads through beautiful mountain forest directly back to the center of Kandersteg and to the train station.

Berner Wanderwege
Berner Wanderwege

Good to know

Pavements

Street
Asphalt
Trail
Path
Gravel

Best to visit

suitable
Depends on weather

Directions

Kandersteg - Biberg - Doldenhornhütte SAC - Öschiwald - Kandersteg

Equipment

We recommend the following equipment: sturdy mountain boots, medium-sized backpack with hip belt, sun protection, rainwear, hiking poles, pocket first aid kit, picnic, sufficient fluids, mobile phone.

Directions & Parking facilities

Various parking lots in Kandersteg

Outbound and return travel: by train to Kandersteg

Additional information

Association Berner Wanderwege, Bern, Tel.: 031 340 01 01, Email: info@beww.ch, Homepage: www.bernerwanderwege.ch

Literature

Hiking suggestion from the Berner Oberland hiking book, Berner Wanderwege hiking series

License (master data)

Safety guidelines

This route runs wholly or partly on marked paths of the mountain hiking trail category.

 

Map

Swisstopo hiking map 1:50,000 263T Wildstrubel

Nearby

Contact

From Ruedihus to Doldenhornhütte SAC
Kandersteg