Kiental between ski slopes, legendary trails and mountain hikes

Hiking trails and nature

The well-developed hiking trail from Griesalp to Kiental initially follows the Gornerewasser through the Griesschlucht gorge and then continues as a riverside path along the stream through the broad valley floor.

Tschingelsee was formed in 1972 by a debris flow and is now a floodplain area of national importance. The channels between the gravel banks provide a habitat for numerous waterfowl and offer an appealing sight.

The Alpenruh–Bärenpfad–Wildwasserweg–Tschingel route is an easy themed trail covering 6.6 km and taking about 2 hours 15 minutes. An easy hike from the Ramslauenen chairlift to Kiental is 5.3 km long, takes 1 hour 20 minutes, and has 18 metres of ascent and 478 metres of descent.

The Kiental legendary trails comprise several hikes from one alp pasture to another. Signs tell stories about the Grüenmatti innkeeper, the Bundalp spirits and the Hexenkessel; there are also large, colourful legendary figures. A guide to the Kiental legendary trails is available from the tourist offices.

The different route lengths and walking times help you compare trails according to your preferred timeframe.

Winter sports and longer mountain trails

In the Kiental–Ramslauenen ski area, ski slopes lie below the Gehrihorn and can be reached by chairlift from Ramslauenen. The Ramslauenen Trail is a snowshoe trail; its starting point at the mountain station can be reached by the Kiental–Ramslauenen chairlift.

The Lötschberg Panorama Trail leads from Kiental to Kandersteg, is 20 km long, takes 6 hours 30 minutes and has 1,150 metres of ascent. It begins at the valley station of the chairlift in Kiental; the first section climbs 500 metres in elevation over a stretch taking just over one and a half hours.

From Griesalp in the upper Kiental valley, a mountain hike leads over the Hohtürli Pass to Lake Oeschinen.

History and landscape

The chapel in Kiental was built in 1929 according to plans by the Basel architect Vischer-Sarasin; the parish had approved its construction the previous year.

Today’s Hotel Bären in Kiental was created in 1912 by converting an already existing hotel and is an impressive testament to the importance of mountain tourism in Kiental before the First World War. Its historical significance is connected with the second secret conference of the socialist Zimmerwald movement, held there at the end of April 1916.

The Kiental Conference became the high point of the Zimmerwald movement after the manifesto had gained broader support and greater resonance.

In the municipality of Reichenbach in the Kandertal valley, agriculture, alpine farming and a village character continue to shape the surroundings. The upper end of the Kiental valley is part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Getting there

Kiental can be reached by train to Reichenbach station and then by PostBus.

Other destinations: Aeschiried, Frutigen-Ried, Adelboden, Krattigen, Kandersteg, Aeschi Bei Spiez, Frutigen, Reichenbach Im Kandertal

To the higher-level travel overview: Frutigen Region.