Lauenen between Lauenensee, mountain trails and culture

Lauenen is the 43rd mountaineering village and, together with the neighbouring municipalities of Saanen and Gsteig, belongs to the Saanenland. The village is characterised by old, well-preserved chalets. Its character is shaped both by opportunities for mountain sports and by the late Gothic church and local traditions. Lauenensee and the trails through the surrounding landscape offer further specific destinations for a stay.

Between the village, Lauenensee and the moor

Lauenensee lies around four kilometres south of Lauenen in the Gelten–Iffigen nature reserve. The protected area around the lake is of national importance and includes alpine moorland. From the village, the lake can be reached on foot, by post bus or by bicycle. A trail from Lauenen to Geltenhütte SAC passes through the damp, marshy flower meadows in Rohr and the riverside woodland along the young Louwibach before reaching Lauenensee. This route therefore connects several distinct landscapes, with the lake as one of its destinations.

Highlights at Lauenensee include a circular walking trail and views of the Tungelschuss and Geltenschuss waterfalls. Rowing boats can be rented at the landing stage; check whether rentals are available before making plans. Those looking for a short walk around the lake can take the W36 Lauenensee circular hike, a short loop in the nature reserve that is suitable for a good pushchair. Trail conditions can change, so it is worth checking the current situation before setting out.

Hikes with different focuses

The W35 hike to the Fondue Caquelon Lauenen starts right in the village. It is rated moderate, is 8.3 kilometres long and takes about two hours and 25 minutes. The experience includes a fondue backpack with classic or truffle fondue, fondue bread and spices, as well as a caquelon, a burner with fuel paste, plates and forks. The Fondue Caquelon can be reached via the Lauenen–Tüffi–Lauenensee hiking trail or via Lauenenstrasse “Unter Tungel”. It is a ten-minute walk from the Under Tungel post bus stop. If you are travelling by post bus, check the current timetable.

Another trail option is the T15 Lauenen Sculpture Trail: this moderately difficult themed trail runs from Rohr to Lauenensee, is 4.2 kilometres long and is listed as taking one hour. It follows the Lauenen–Rohr–Lauenensee hiking trail; local animals carved from tree stumps give it its distinctive character. As trail conditions can change seasonally, it is advisable to check them before setting out. If you would like to experience nature with explanations as well as while walking, consider the private Lauenensee ranger tour. It lasts two hours and leads through the nature reserve around the lake, including the nationally significant raised bog. There are explanations about the flora and fauna. Check dates and availability in advance.

Mountain sports options include family hikes along the Gältebach and its waterfalls to Geltenhütte SAC. They also include high-altitude tours to Gelten or Wildhorn, as well as trail running. Lauenen is also visited as part of long-distance hikes such as the Tour du Wildhorn or the Alpness Trail. The options described range from hikes with a specific destination to more demanding alpine tours; the right choice depends on the kind of trail you are planning.

Winter trails and cross-country skiing

In winter, activities in Lauenen include ski touring and snowshoeing; cross-country skiing and winter walking are also popular options. Two described routes give an idea of the different distances and durations: the Lauenen–Lauenensee–Lauenen winter loop is 8.5 kilometres long and takes about two and a half hours. The marked S5 Chrine Trail 1 snowshoe trail leads from the Wispile mountain station via Chrine Pass to Lauenen. It is moderately difficult, is 7.6 kilometres long and takes about two hours and 50 minutes. On the descent, it passes through a snow-covered fir forest. The loop returns to its starting point; the S5, by contrast, connects its start at the mountain station with its destination in Lauenen.

The 172.2 Lauenen–Rohr cross-country ski trail also shows how closely a route is connected to its landscape. It starts at the bridge in Rohr and follows the Louwibach through the Rohr moorland and riverside area. The trail is described as suitable for both classic and skating styles and is lined with Tristen: large, cone-shaped haystacks traditionally built around a long wooden pole. In this way, skiing the trail also offers a glimpse into a traditional method of storing hay.

Church, chalets and Alpfest

The Reformed Church of Lauenen, formerly St. Peter’s, was built around 1520 in the late Gothic style, incorporating an earlier building. Its features include a carved wooden ceiling, a star vault in the choir, choir stalls with stencil paintings and a Renaissance pulpit. The choir windows display stained glass by Leo Steck, installed there in 1953. Together with the old, well-preserved chalets, the church offers another, cultural perspective on the village.

Local traditions include the Alpfest Suufsunntig, with yodeling and alphorn music and the selection of a champion cow. Alongside trails, moorland and mountain sports, Lauenen therefore also offers architectural history and living traditions as distinct themes.

Discover more destinations: Gsteig Bei Gstaad, Saanen, Gstaad, Saanen.

View the main travel overview: Saanen.