Kandersteg sits at the entrance to the Gasterntal and is one of the most atmospheric mountain villages in the Bernese Oberland. The village at around 1'200 metres is the starting point for an exceptional range of mountain outings – from an easy walk to the Oeschinensee to high-alpine routes via the Lötschenpass or Gemmi Pass into Valais.

The Gasterntal behind the village is a wild, barely developed valley head with rushing streams, waterfalls and the silhouette of the Blüemlisalp. In winter the area becomes a quiet cross-country skiing paradise with one of the finest trail networks in the Bernese Oberland. The Kandersteg International Scout Centre gives the village a global dimension – it is one of the largest scout camp centres in the world.

Kandersteg is on the BLS railway line and reachable from Spiez in around 35 minutes. From Bern the journey takes approximately one hour. Travellers arriving from Valais can use the Lötschberg car-loading train from Goppenstein, which carries vehicles through the mountain. Parking is available in the village.