Walk 8045 - First – Stand – Kandersteg

      
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This descent from First to the Kandersteg is long and tiring. However it offers some fine walking with excellent views across the Kander Valley to the Blümlisalp and Öeschinensee. After heavy rain there are two river crossings that might prove impossible.

   
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Start the summit of First (2549m). No mechanical means of reaching here from the valley. Walk 8044 provides a very pleasant approach.

End Kandersteg Railway Station. See Transport Map for the Kandertal Region.

Descend north from the summit of First following the sign for Kandersteg. There is one section of cable to assist the descent before the path drops to the left hand side of the ridge before continuing onto the summit of Stand (2320m). This offers similar views to First and can be seen as you approach along the ridge.

The path drops steeply of the summit of Stand before traversing across its northern flank to reach the col of Gölitschehöri. Here you descend east using loops and zigzags to reach Gölitschealp. The path turns south and descends to cross a major stream. This could be problematic in spate. Continuing the path descends through conifer forest to reach the more amenable environment of open pastures nearer to Kandersteg.

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