Lötschberg railway discovery trail from Kandersteg to Frutigen 

Kandersteg-Frutigen: the facts

• Hiking time: 5h00
• Difficulty: moderate
• Elevation: 780 – 1238 m
• Distance: 16.8 km
• Terrain: meadows and forests along the railway track in the Kander Valley
• Region: Kander Valley (Bernese Oberland)

About this trail

The Lötschberg Mountain Railway from Spiez to Brig is an impressive piece of railway engineering. You will walk along the northern section of this line, and learn about the railway from the many information boards along the way. The section near Mitholz is particularly interesting, because it contains two spiral loops, partly in tunnels. The loops allow the Lötschberger trains on this route to gradually gain height on their way to the Lötschberg Tunnel near Kandersteg.

There are beautiful views of the Kander Valley as you cross the forests and meadows. The route can be shortened by two hours taking the bus to Mitholz and starting your walk from there.

Note that there is a trail along the southern section of the Lötschberg railway too.

Directions and map

How to get to Kandersteg and back from Frutigen

Kandersteg and Frutigen can be reached by regional trains from Spiez and Brig.

Hiking route

Follow the sign “Bahnwanderweg” from the rail station of Kandersteg.

Map of the Lötschberg Nordrampe hiking trail Kandersteg-Frutigen