Bern Canton, Gstaad
We were lucky enough to live around Gstaad region for a short while. We spend majority of our time exploring the villages, hiking routes, hidden areas, lakes and the views. Whether it is a week or a long weekend away, here are 5 best family excursions, which we chose from our discoveries around Saanenland and Simmental. Those chosen hikes can also work great with some of our suggested picnic spots below!
Introducing Gstaad region:
Gstaad region is a large, touristic area during winter and summer seasons. From the first glimpse at this region, it looks very rich. The area tends to attract many celebrities. The village shops range between Louis Vuitton, Girard-Perregaux, Hermès, Cartier Joalliers. This extravagant-looking village only adds the glamour into the adventures across Saanenland and Simmental. It is a great place for a full family and apart from all the activities in the mountains and the lakes; the villages also offer: Ciné Theatre cinema (mostly in German, English and French), indoor swimming pools, golf, sports center activities (mini golf, tennis, beach volleyball, badminton, bowls), paraglading, horse riding (offered by Reitzentrum and Riding and Carriage Driving Association), bowling.
5 BEST FAMILY EXCURSIONS:
HIKING TO SEEBERGSEE LAKE
Distance: 5.07 km loop.
Elevation gain: 284 m.
What a beautiful and peaceful place! It is not a very popular hike, possibly because it is only accessible by car via a narrow, bendy, mountain road. This is, what makes it even more special. It feels like finding a little treasure amongst the stunning, picturesque mountains. It is rather short and yet it gives a big satisfactory feeling when approaching the lake. The bonus is, that swimming is also allowed at the lake! One could easily spend a day at this lake before going back.
More information about this hike can be found on our Hike to Seebergsee post.
HIKING BETWEEN GSTAAD & GSTEIG
Distance: 12.20 km one way.
Elevation gain: 250 m.
A very enjoyable walk, allowing for full appreciation of nature. This hike ticks all the boxes - river, streams, bridges, tree surrounds, mountain views, animal / insect viewings (we often spotted wild deer, honey-bee hives and cow pastures), meadow fauna, waterfall (at the end, in Gsteig). The walk is rather long, but feels quite flat - I think bonding time and tired kids are guaranteed at the end of the day.
More information about this hike can be found on our Gstaad to Gsteig hike post.
VILLAGE HIKES: SAANENMÖSER - SCHÖNRIED - GSTAAD - SAANEN
Distances: Saanenmöser - Schönried: 3.42 km.
Schönried - Gstaad: 4.58 km.
Gstaad - Saanen: 3.86 km.
Total distance: 11.86 km one way.
Elevation gain: The whole route is descending.
Sight seeing all the villages, while visiting Saanenland is a must. Why not enjoy the village chalets and the mountain views on the same daily excursion. This village tour is open to personal preferences, depending how long one / a family wishes to walk for. The part of the hike not to miss, is the short walk between Schönried and Gstaad. All of those walks are quite busy with people on daily basis. The path also offers individual spots with self-service fridges, where one can enjoy a glass of wine with a snack of local cheese bites.
More information about the hikes can be found on our blog posts:
HIKING FROM FEUTERSOEY TO ARNENSEE LAKE
Distance: 11.64 km loop.
Elevation gain: 492 m.
Beautiful walk, beautiful lake. Our impression is that it is a daily get away for locals more than tourists. This seems great, as I think locals always know the best places to go to! The lake is accessible by a paid road, however, we would recommend hiking it to fully experience the beauty of this hidden valley. Above the mountains and behind the lake, glacier 3,000 can be spotted. Adding to this great experience - it is allowed to swim at the lake and boats are available for hiring.
More information about this hike can be found on our Hiking from Feutersoey to Arnen lake post.
VISITING TURBACH VALLEY
Distance: 9.20 km loop.
Elevation gain: 260 m.
Unpopular, peaceful, relaxing hike. The elevation gain is not big and the route will keep kids entertained with different experiences: forest, river, small waterfalls, views, farm animals. It is a nice distance to get little legs tired and at the same time, connect well with the elements of nature.
More information about this hike can be found on our Gstaad - Turbach Valley loop hike post.
PICNIC SPOTS:
Great to combine with one or more family excursions!
PICNIC SPOT: TOP OF WISPILE MOUNTAIN
Access: Cable car Talstation from Gstaad.
My personal favourite picnic location. Wispile mountain is beautiful as it has a long, wide ridge. It is very easy to set up a picnic anywhere and feel far away from anyone else. The views at the mountains are from each side. There is also a Fondue Caquelon, but it is located ~40 min from the lift.
PICNIC SPOT: TOP OF HORNEGGLI
Access: Car or cable car.
Parking: Next to hotels Hornberg and Hornfluh - 46.488030, 7.322915
Cable car: Schönried BDGAG she
Horneggli is a unique summit, as it allows cars to drive up to a close proximity to the peak. The summit is quite rocky with a big BBQ area. Just below, there are a number of benches and a lot of green meadows, where it is very easy to set up a picnic.
More information about this spot can be found on our Top of Horneggli - scenic point post.
PICNIC SPOT: TOP OF RELLERLI
Access: Cable car Gondelbahn Rellerli in Schönried.
This picnic location is most attractive in terms of activities and entertainment. The summit is rather busy with people. There are: a toboggan run, mini train and swings. There are also plenty of benches facing views in all directions.
More information about this spot can be found on our hiking blog post Mittelberg Rd - Rellerli summit - Schönried.
PICNIC SUPPLIES:
Saanenland offers a unique fondue backpack experience, where one gets a backpack with all fondue essentials for a hike. More information about it can be accessed here.
Fondue or cheese snacks from Molkerei Laiterie Schönried, Molkerei Laiterie Gstaad, Molkerei Laiterie Zweisimmen. Types of local cheeses are explained by Gstaad tourism here.
Regional meats can be purchased from Buure Metzg Schönried and Gstaad.
If shopping on a Sunday or a Bank Holiday, there is a meat vending machine in Gstaad (46.472878, 7.287002); and cheese honesty box shops in Gstaad (46.479418, 7.274487 or 46.484966, 7.287270).
Coop and Migros can be found in Gstaad and Zweisimmen. Aldi is located in Zweisimmen.
We wish you happy hiking and picnic-ing in Gstaad region! We are happy to advise you further on those 5 family excursions and 3 picnic spots in the comments below this post.
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