Hiking or Skiing in the Lotschental Valley of Switzerland
There are only two ways to get into the Lotschental Valley from Kandersteg. Hike over the Lotschenpass Pass - a hard and difficult hike, winter or summer - or take the 15-minute train ride through the Loetschberg Tunnel. Before the Loetschberg Tunnel was built around 1910, it was very difficult to access the Lotschental Valley. Kandersteg is on one side of the tunnel and Goppenstein on the other. Many a day ex-Marine and I amused ourselves watching automobile traffic line up in Kandersteg, drive their automobiles on the train cars...View image, ride through the tunnel to Goppenstein, drive off, and either continue towards Brig or explore the Lotschental Valley. No road, zip, nada. Even the express trains from Basle-Berne-Loetschberg Tunnel-Simplon-Italy take this route.
This gorgeous, scenic and tranquil Lotschental Valley lies between the Bernese Oberland and Valais. All skiing (downhill and cross country) and hiking takes place on the sunny Southern slopes. Stay in the small towns of Gampel, Ferden, Kippel, Wiler, Ried or Blatten in the valley or park yourself in Kandersteg and take the short ride.
The cross country ski route on the valley floor leads from Ferden all the way to Fafleralp, a 30km/20mi roundtrip. Swiss Post buses make their way up and down the Lotschental Valley throughout the day. Cross country or hike to one spot, bus back to Goppenstein and return by train to Kandersteg. One of our many visits to Kandersteg was to cross country and there was so much snow in the valley that different routes were closed because of avalanche dangers.
The other trips to Kandersteg were strictly for the first-class day hiking in the entire area besides the Lotschental Valley. Same information applies for hiking as skiing. Go as far as you want in the valley or mountains and take bus/train back when you've had enough.
It is almost impossible for me to get lost in Switzerland with the ubiquitous Swiss yellow trail signs pointing the correct direction along with the estimated hiking time. Yes, I have been known to take wrong turns but that's my fault. Good old trail sense is if you don't see red blazes on difficult trails or yellow directional signs pointing the way, retrace your steps!
Remember, you are never too old to enjoy the mountains of Switzerland. Don't want to exercise? Take a chair lift up, leisurely stroll along the flat areas, sit, have a schnapps, glass of wine and take the bus back to your hotel. A perfect day!
