Blausee Switzerland: Is It Worth Visiting? 2026 Guide

Blausee is a small mountain lake inside a private nature park near Kandersteg, known for its vivid blue-green water, exceptional clarity, and submerged tree trunks. It looks impressive online, but its small size and paid entrance leave many travellers wondering whether it is actually worth visiting.

We visited around lunchtime on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. After following a short paved path through the forest, the lake appeared between the trees, and we both immediately said, “wow.” The water looked much closer to the better photos we had seen on travel blogs than to some of the worse images in Google reviews.

We spent around two hours here with our daughter, having a picnic, at the playground, walking around the lake, taking the boat ride, and visiting the llamas.

This guide covers current entrance fees, transport, accessibility, how much time you need, and our honest verdict on whether Blausee belongs in your Switzerland itinerary.

Is Blausee Worth Visiting?

Yes, Blausee was worth visiting for us, especially because we were staying in Kandersteg and wanted an easy family activity between longer hiking days.

The lake genuinely impressed us. Its blue-green colour was vivid in the sunlight, the water was clear enough to see deep beneath the surface, and the fallen tree trunks made it feel different from most other Swiss lakes we had visited.

What made the entrance fee easier to justify was everything around the lake. We used the picnic area, let our daughter play at the playground, took the included boat ride, followed the woodland paths, and visited the llamas. It felt like a relaxed two-hour family outing rather than paying only to photograph a small lake.

However, some of the criticism found in reviews is understandable. Walking around the lake without stopping takes only around 5–10 minutes, and Switzerland has many larger lakes that are free to visit.

Blausee makes the most sense for:

• families with young children
• photographers
• visitors already staying near Kandersteg or Frutigen
• anyone looking for an easy, slow-paced nature stop
• travellers who want a picnic rather than a long hike

We would consider skipping it if you are travelling on a strict budget, want a long lakeside walk, or expect enough activities for a full day. The price is also harder to justify as a long standalone detour if your only plan is to take a few photos and leave.

How Much Time Do You Need at Blausee?

Plan approximately one to two hours for Blausee.

We spent around two hours and had enough time to:

• walk around the lake
• take photos
• have a picnic
• use the playground
• take the boat ride
• visit the llamas
• explore both forest routes
• stop at the trout-farm area

You could see the lake in around 30–45 minutes at a slower pace. However, the entrance and parking fees will feel harder to justify if you leave that quickly.

We would not plan an entire day here. Blausee works best as a relaxed short stop combined with another activity around Kandersteg.

Where is Blausee

Blausee is located in Blausee-Mitholz in the Kandertal Valley, between Frutigen and Kandersteg in the Bernese Oberland.

The entrance is directly beside the main road connecting Frutigen and Kandersteg. We stayed in Kandersteg, which made Blausee an easy addition to our trip rather than a separate day trip.

How to get to Blausee

By car + parking fees

Driving is the easiest option if you are already exploring the Bernese Oberland by car.

The entrance was simple to find, and the parking area was approximately half empty when we arrived around lunchtime on a Tuesday in late June. We found a space immediately.

Parking was the one part we found unnecessarily expensive. We used the EasyPark app, as we did throughout Switzerland, but the shortest available option during our visit was CHF 5 for four hours.

We stayed for around two hours, so it was not a major problem. However, someone making a quick 30-minute stop would still need to pay the same minimum amount.

Several paid parking areas are positioned along the main road. Depending on where you park, the official walking distance to the lake is between 300 and 550 metres. Parking can fill during high season and special events, and payment is possible by cash, card, or common parking apps.

By Public Transport

Take a train to Kandersteg or Frutigen, then change to a local bus and get off at Blausee BE.

From the bus stop, the official walking distance to the lake is approximately 350 metres.

Please check the latest connection in the SBB journey planner, as bus schedules can change. Public transport may be the easier option on sunny summer weekends, when parking is more likely to be full.

Blausee Tickets and Opening Hours

Prices checked on July 23, 2026:

Visitor	Monday–Friday	Weekends and public holidays
Adults aged 16+	CHF 11	CHF 13
Children aged 6–15	CHF 7	CHF 9
Children under 6	Free	Free

The daytime entrance ticket includes:

• access to the nature park and playground
• access to the picnic areas
• use of barbecue areas and firewood when local restrictions allow
• the glass-bottom boat ride during summer

Reduced evening tickets apply later in the day, with the starting time changing by season. The summer boat ride is not included with evening admission.

We bought our tickets at the entrance and did not encounter any queue. Online tickets are also available, but advance booking would not have saved us meaningful time during our quiet weekday visit.

The Swiss Travel Pass, Half Fare Card, and GA Travelcard do not currently provide an admission discount. The Bernese Oberland Pass and guest cards from Kandersteg, Adelboden, or Lenk provide a 50% discount. Entry is also free on your birthday when you show identification.

Accessing Blausee

The easiest route from the entrance follows a short paved path through the forest. The lake appeared after what felt like only around two minutes of walking.

The paved route goes slightly up and down but is generally accessible for wheelchair users and suitable for strollers. It also provides access to the restaurant and playground.

A second, more natural woodland path also connects the lake with the entrance. We used this route on our way back to the car and loved the large rocks, exposed tree roots, and moss-covered sections.

This path is not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. Use the paved route in both directions when accessibility matters.

What to Expect at Blausee

The First View of the Lake

When the lake first appeared between the trees, we were both genuinely surprised by how impressive it looked.

A large rock near the first viewpoint attracted several people taking photos. Instead of waiting, we moved only a few steps to the side and found equally good angles without anyone standing in front of us.

The water was extremely clear, and submerged rocks and fallen tree trunks were visible beneath the surface. These trunks were our favourite detail because they made the lake feel more dramatic and less like an ordinary turquoise pond.

There are also many large fish swimming close to the shore. Watching them became another small highlight of walking around the lake.

The water is so clear that tree trunks and boulders lying as much as 12 metres below the surface can appear much closer. We were surprised by that!

Walking Around Blausee

The complete walk around Blausee takes approximately 5–10 minutes if you do not stop.

However, the full loop is not suitable for strollers or wheelchair users. Part of the trail has an uneven natural surface with roots, steps, and narrower sections.

You can still reach the lake, restaurant, playground, and several viewpoints using the accessible paved paths. You will simply need to return along the same route rather than completing the entire loop.

You may also notice a submerged statue beneath the water while standing on the wooden bridge. It represents the young woman from the local Blausee legend, which attributes the lake’s blue colour to her tears after she lost the man she loved.

For people without mobility restrictions, the loop is short and easy. We took much longer because we stopped for photos, explored the shoreline, and enjoyed the different views across the water.

The Glass-Bottom Boat Ride

A short glass-bottom boat ride is included with the daytime entrance ticket during summer. Our ride lasted around 10 minutes.

This was the only part of Blausee that disappointed us just a bit.

We had looked forward to seeing through the glass bottom, but the panel was scratched and dirty during our visit, so we could not see anything through it. The views from the boat were also fairly similar to what we had already seen from the shore.

Still, because the ride was included and took only around 10 minutes, we were glad we tried it. It may also be more exciting for children than it was for us.

We would not visit Blausee specifically for the boat ride, but there is little reason to skip it when the queue is short.

Picnic Area and Playground

The picnic area was one of the strongest parts of Blausee for us.

Tables are available in several different settings:

• beside the lake
• next to a small stream and pond
• beneath trees
• under sun umbrellas
• beside the playground

We chose a table near the playground because our daughter loves playgrounds. She could play while we unpacked our picnic and ate lunch.

This made the time there feel much more worthwhile than a quick walk around the water. Toilets were also conveniently located beside the playground.

The park normally has several barbecue areas whose use and firewood are included with admission.

Café and Restaurant

A small café sits only a few steps from the water, with tables offering direct views across the lake.

Hotel Blausee and its restaurant are positioned farther along the shoreline. We brought our own lunch, so we cannot comment on the food from personal experience.

A useful detail is that visitors with a confirmed restaurant reservation currently receive part of their admission back. The restaurant refunds 50% of the entrance price for a reserved lunch and the full entrance price for a reserved dinner after the receipt is presented. Check the latest conditions when making your reservation.

Llamas and Trout Farm

Around five llamas spend the summer months in the Sommerau section of the park. We visited them after lunch, and they added another easy activity for families with children.

We also walked past the trout-farm display, but the small natural pools appeared empty and we did not see any fish.

The official website stated during our July 2026 fact-check that the show section of the organic trout farm was temporarily closed for cleaning work, which likely explains what we saw.

Facilities at Blausee

The nature park has:

• paid parking
• toilets beside the main car park
• toilets beside the playground
• a wheelchair-accessible toilet with a changing table at the restaurant
• a lakeside café
• Hotel Blausee restaurant
• picnic tables
• barbecue areas
• a children’s playground
• summer boat rides
• summer llamas
• a souvenir and trout shop
• luggage lockers

Official facilities and temporary restrictions can change, so check the nature park website shortly before visiting.

Best Time to Visit Blausee

We visited around lunchtime on a sunny Tuesday at the end of June and were surprised by how quiet it was. There were no queues, the parking area was approximately half empty, and we could take photos without dealing with crowds.

The sunlight also brought out the blue-green colour of the water. Clouds began arriving after roughly two hours, and it started raining just as we were leaving.

Our experience does not mean lunchtime is always quiet. On a sunny summer weekend, we would arrive shortly after opening because the nature park warns that its parking areas can fill during high season and special events.

Summer provides the fullest experience because the boat operates and the llamas are present. The nature park remains open throughout the year, but some activities and services are seasonal.

These Are the Hotels Near Blausee We’d Choose

We stayed at Gemmi Hotel ourselves. The other two are alternatives we would consider based on their location and facilities.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Gemmi Hotel – Our Top Pick

We loved the relaxed atmosphere, spacious apartment, tasty breakfast, friendly staff, and wellness area with a sauna and whirlpool. The free shuttle to and from our Oeschinensee hike was a major bonus, while Gemmi Taverne next door was an easy choice for dinner.

👉 Check availability →

⭐️⭐️ Hotel Blausee – Best for Direct Lake Access

Choose Hotel Blausee if staying beside the lake matters more than being in central Kandersteg. Hotel guests currently receive access to the nature park, parking, the spa, and breakfast, making it the most convenient option when Blausee is the main focus of your stay.

👉 Compare prices →

⭐️ Belle Epoque Hotel Victoria – Best for Central Kandersteg

Choose this hotel if you want to stay in the centre of Kandersteg with restaurants and transport nearby. Its indoor pool, sauna, steam shower, and large surrounding park also make it a stronger choice for families or slower bad-weather afternoons.

👉 See prices →

FAQ

Final Thoughts

Blausee is small, privately owned, and relatively expensive compared with many free lakes in Switzerland. If you only walk around the shore and leave, the entrance and parking fees may feel difficult to justify.

For us, it worked because we treated it as a relaxed two-hour family outing. We had a picnic, used the playground, took the boat ride, visited the llamas, and explored the different forest paths.

The scratched glass bottom on the boat was disappointing, and we would not plan an entire day here. However, the lake itself exceeded our expectations. Its clear water, deep colour, and submerged tree trunks created a genuine “wow” moment when we first saw it.