Walk 8034 - Öeschinensee – Fründenhütte - Öeschinensee

The Fründenhütte overlooks the Öeschinensee and is located on the northern side of the Doldenhorn with glaciers close at hand. The path is steep and unrelenting with some sections protected by cables.

Start & End Upper station of the Sesselbahn Öeschinen from Kandersteg. The valley station is a few minutes walk from Kandersteg Railway Station. See Transport Map for the Kandertal Region.

Exit the upper station of the chairlift and follow the wide path signed to the Öeschinensee. Ahead the Blümlisalp and its satellite peaks provide a wonderful panorama. Continue on the main path descending to the hotels and restaurants. Follow the signed route to the Fründenhütte crossing a flat area before starting the climb.

The route is never too intimidating but does require stamina as after the initial stages the path is an unrelenting climb. Where the mountainside is at is steepest a succession of zigzags helps with ascent. There are also a few places where fixed cables provide assistance and one of these does have some exposure. Despite this upward progress is quite fast and with incredible mountain scenery all around the going is much easier than might be anticipated from maps.

Arrival at the hut is just reward for the efforts used in the ascent. A little further on from the hut you can get closer to the glaciers that drape from this north facing slope. The return route follows the outward path. However on reaching the restaurants at the western end of Öeschinensee you are faced with a final section of uphill walking to the chairlift. An alternative is to descend into the valley, which entails very little extra effort.

Suggested Maps

	Landeskarte der Schweiz - 1:50000 - Sheet SW 5004 - Berner Oberland
	Landeskarte der Schweiz - 1:50000 - Sheet SW5009 - Gstaad - Adelboden
	Kandersteg Wanderkarte - 1:25000