ESN FHNW goes hiking — Oeschinensee!
Join us for a day at the Oeschinensee, the turquoise mountain lake above Kandersteg and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch region.
We'll travel together from Olten to Kandersteg, walk up to the lake, and then take on the panorama trail high above the water — up to Underbärgli and Oberbärgli, with the glaciers right in front of us, before looping back down to the lake.
The day in a nutshell:
07:30 — Meet at Olten station
07:58 — Train from Olten to Spiez
09:04 — Arrive in Spiez
09:12 — Train from Spiez to Kandersteg
~10:00 — Start walking up to the Oeschinensee (~1h15) Alternative: gondola up to the lake — NOT included, pay on site!
~11:30 — Arrive at the Oeschinensee: break at the lake with a celebration drink offered by ESN
~12:30 — Start the hike up towards Underbärgli and Oberbärgli, then back down to the lake
~15:30 — Back at the Oeschinensee: second break
16:30 — Start walking down to Kandersteg station
19:14 — Train from Kandersteg to Spiez
19:54 — Train from Spiez to Olten
21:00 — Arrive back in Olten
Hike details:
Difficulty: T3 (demanding mountain hiking) on the Swiss Alpine Club scale. This means exposed sections, narrow paths and some passages where you need sure-footedness and a head for heights. If you are not sure what T3 means, please look it up before signing up — search for "SAC hiking scale T3" — and be honest with yourself about whether it's for you.
Please wear proper hiking or trekking shoes with grip. Students without appropriate footwear (flip flops, sneakers with smooth soles, heels or similar) will not be accepted for the hike, as it's genuinely dangerous on this terrain.
Bring sun protection, plenty of water and a warm layer — the weather in the mountains changes quickly.
Lunch, snacks and drinks during the day are not included and not provided. Everyone is responsible for their own. We recommend bringing a packed lunch, as options on the mountain are limited and pricy!
Price:
CHF 15: Students WITHOUT ESN Card and WITHOUT GA Travel Card
CHF 10: Students WITH ESN Card but WITHOUT GA Travel Card
For Free: Students WITH GA Travel Card (please note that only a regular GA Travel Card is valid, GA Night DOES NOT count as a GA Travel Card holder)
IMPORTANT: Students from Basel, Brugg, Muttenz are asked to organize their train ride and ticket from Basel / Brugg / Muttenz to Olten by themselves, since our trip starts only in Olten.
What is included in the ticket price? Train ticket for the full day from Olten and back Celebration drink at the lake
What is NOT included? The gondola up to the Oeschinensee, if you prefer not to walk up — you pay this on site yourself
Meeting Point: Olten Train Station — Sunday, 27/09/2026 at 07:30 (please be on time!)
Registration: EventFrog (ALMOST SOLD OUT!!!)
Registration deadline: Sunday, 20 September 2026, 23:59
Let's enjoy the mountains and a fantastic day together!
Weather note: If conditions are bad, we may adapt the route/destination — your ticket will remain valid.
Please note: Due to SBB School Group Tickets, for every 8 participants, a maximum of 2 can be over 25. If we don't reach the right proportion, we cannot guarantee spots for participants over 25. We also need at least 10 participants for the trip to happen — if fewer sign up, the trip will be cancelled. (Example: if 14 people register and 6 are over 25, only 2 of those spots can be guaranteed.)
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Walter (+41 79 846 83 77) and Pier (+41 76 253 35 37)
Disclaimer: By taking part in this event, you authorize ESN FHNW to use any photos or videos taken during the event for promotional purposes and on social media, in accordance with the Federal Law on Data Protection. If you do not wish your image to be published, please inform the event organisers beforehand.
Participation is at your own risk. This is a demanding mountain hike in alpine terrain, and every participant is responsible for their own safety, fitness, equipment and decisions on the trail. ESN FHNW and its volunteers accept no liability for accidents, injuries, illness, loss or damage to personal belongings occurring before, during or after the event.
Insurance is in the responsibility of the participants. ESN FHNW does not take over any liability.
Tickets are non-refundable, but you can resell yours if you can't make it.
