Lauterbrunnen vs. Kandersteg

We love Kandersteg and always include it in our Swiss hiking trips. We stay up at the lake (Oeschinensee) in the rustic mountain inn, right on the lakeshore. You get there by hiking up or you can ride the gondola up. There are two fantastic overnight hut hikes possible from there. One is to the Freundenhütte, which is perched up on the cliff above the lake, near the base of a glacier. The hike up is on a good path carved into the rock, with cables to hold if you wish, but is very safe. We met a group of teens coming down from a overnight when we went up. This is a spectacular hike and I highly recommend it. google Freundenhütte for photos. In the other direction you will find the Blumlisalphütte, on top pf the pass ( Hohtürli) into the next valley ( Kiental). This is the highest point on the Alpine Pass route and very popular. The last part is on steep scree slopes and not as fun as the hike on firm ledges to Freundenütte. You could all ride the gondola up to Oeschinensee, and you wife and youngest child could spend the night there while you and the other two hike up to the hut and then return the next day. There is a nice lakeshore path they could explore, with wood carvings, and a summer luge to try. The Wandfluh family that runs the hotel also has a organic farm that provides much of the food served in the hotel restaurant. The food is wonderful. Our kids still rave about the ice cream treats " mit Nidle" ( whipped cream). Www.oeschinensee.ch This is a special place that I recommend highly. I will make other suggestions in a separate post.

Other things to do from Kamdersteg: Rent bikes at the train station, and ride into the next valley over, the Gasterntal. The road through the valleyis closed to general traffic, so it is very safe and pleasant riding, in a beautiful and unspoiled valley. There are a few small inns/ restaurants for refreshment stops. Ride the Sunnbüel lift up to a broad plateau and follow an almost-level trail as far as you like, to the Gemmipass above leukerbad if you wish. Beautiful views of peaks and there is a restaurant at each end of the hike. Www.sunnbuel.ch Other places we like for hiking: Our favorite is Bettmeralp, a carefree village perched above the Rhone Valley, not far from Brig. Www.bettmeralp.ch for photos Very family-friendly, with a mini golf course and kids programs. The hike along the Aletschgletscher is world-class. You could all ride the lift to the top of the Bettmerhorn for views. From there, those who wish could hike the ridge trail to the top of the Eggishorn, with views over the glacier all the way to the Jungfrau. The rest could hike or ride back down the Bettmerhorn and walk to the next village to explore the nature center ( Pronatura) and alpine botanic garden. We have also enjoyed hiking at Zermatt. There is a 15-day hut to hut hiking circuit around the ridges and peaks surrounding the valley. You and the teens could pick a 3- day segment of your choice to hike while your wife and youngest stay in the village and enjoy the activities there. You could even include a hike where they could ride a lift to meet with you for the night. Www.zermatt.ch

They also have a luge ride on the way to Oeschinensee. Once you get on the lift and get to the top, it should be where you can see it, my grandson loved it. Easy to work, one lever to work, forward fast and pullback is the brake. Have a good trip.

You can take the Lötschberg tunnel and go hike in the picturesque Lötschental valley. Otherwise, I agree with everything of the above.