Bern Canton, Lauenen
Distance: 8.03 km.
Walking time: 2h 15 min.
Elevation gain: 226 m.
Access: Car or bus.
Parking: at Skilift Lauenen parking - 46.418041, 7.324147.
Bus: stop at Lauenen b. Gstaad, Rohrbrücke.
When visiting Saanenland in winter time, I think doing this trail is one of the must-do activities. We walked it a few times ourselves and we brought our visitors here too. We liked doing this hike with snowshoes (racquets) but we met many people (including some of our friends) who preferred it in winter shoes. The small elevation gain makes it a very pleasant walk and it is easy to pay attention to the views rather than whats below the feet. There were not many places to rest on the way. It is quite a popular hiking route and we met a few hikers and a few horse-pulled sledges. There are two restaurants close to the lake - Mattestübli and Lauenensee. Midway back from the loop, there is also Bochtehus restaurant.
Around the starting point of the hike, there are a few sledges with horses, which are available to rent for this loop. They follow the same hiking route.
The trail follows a well prepared road with compacted snow. Majority of the route is exposed to beautiful views. There a few short sections with steeper ascents before reaching frozen Lauenen lake, but they seemed easy enough. Shortly after the lake, there is a bridge over a stream. The trees and bushes seemed to have collected snow very easily, giving a beautiful winter-wonderland look and feeling. The way back is at the edge of a rock, giving pretty and unique views into the distance. We came across a large cave with ice stalactite and stalagmites inside it. Close to the end of the loop, the trail overlooks into the cross country pathways.
This loop hike is also available in summer and it is possible to drive up to the lake.
More information about the village can be found on Lauenen website here. Gstaad tourist website offers winter activities around Lauenen here. More information about this hike can be found on SchweizMobil website here.
Comments