We almost didn’t go. It was a Sunday, our toddler had woken up earlier than anyone wanted, and the idea of “going for a hike” felt ambitious in the way that only parents of small children will understand. But the Allmenalp cable car is just a short walk from the chalet, and somewhere between the first coffee and the second, we decided: let’s just go up. No plan. No pressure.
Best decision of the weekend.
The Ride Up: Hold On Tight
The Allmenalp cable car is one of the steepest in Europe, and it earns that title. The little gondola launches almost vertically upward, gliding past sheer rock faces and the climbing lines of the via ferrata — you can spot the tiny figures of climbers clinging to the cliff if you look at the right moment.
Our toddler’s eyes were wide the entire way. Honestly, so were ours.
The ascent takes just a few minutes but it feels like the mountain is unfolding itself beneath you, layer by layer, until suddenly you’re at 1700 metres and the whole Kandersteg valley is laid out below.
The descent is just as spectacular — and perhaps even more dramatic, because now you’re facing straight down into the valley. Definitely hold the little ones close in that gondola.
Cable Car: Times & Prices
The gondola departs every 15 minutes from the valley station on Allmenbahnstrasse (a 10-minute walk from Chalet Dahai). No booking needed — just show up.
Summer hours (2025/2026):
- 9 May – 30 August: 08:30 – 18:00
- 31 August – 25 October: 08:30 – 17:00
Prices:
- Adults: CHF 24 return / CHF 18 single
- Children 6–15: CHF 12 return / CHF 9 single
- Children under 6: free
- GA / half-fare card / guest card / Swiss Travel Pass: CHF 19 return / CHF 14 single
- Dogs: free 🐶
Parking at valley station: CHF 7/day
Payment by cash, Twint or card. More info: allmenalp.ch
What to Do Up There (Without Doing Very Much at All)
Here’s the thing nobody tells you about the Allmenalp with a toddler: you don’t need a plan. Step out of the gondola and you’re immediately in the middle of a proper Swiss alp, with cows grazing, wildflowers nodding in the breeze, and a panorama so wide it takes a moment to take in.
We found a bench almost immediately, opened our little bag of snacks, and just… stopped.
The view from up here takes in the whole Kandersteg valley, the shimmering surface of the Oeschinensee from a completely different angle — and if you look carefully, you can actually spot Chalet Dahai down in the valley below. It’s a strange and lovely feeling, seeing home from up here.
When the snacks ran out, our little one wanted to explore — so we walked along the trail for a bit, stopping to crouch down and examine wildflowers, listen to a waterfall tumbling somewhere in the distance, and watch a paraglider launch from higher up and spiral slowly toward the valley.
A few ideas for little ones up top:
- Pack snacks and find a bench with a view — seriously, that alone is enough
- Walk the short trail toward Ryharts (40 min, flat and easy)
- Admire the waterfalls visible from the path
- Spot the climbers on the via ferrata rock face
- Watch the paragliders launch — ours was absolutely mesmerised
- Buy a piece of alp cheese straight from the farm next door
All of this without going more than twenty minutes from the cable car station.
Lunch at the Allmen-Beizli
Right next to the top station is the Allmen-Beizli, run by the Reichen Grüter family who also manage the farm itself. It is exactly the kind of place you hope to find at the top of a mountain: unpretentious, warm, and serving food that actually makes sense here: the cheese is made right on the alp, the sausages are local Frutig Wurst. There’s soup, cheese platters, homemade cake, and cold drinks — kept perfectly cool in a long stone water fountain running with fresh mountain water, which is honestly one of the most charming things about the place.
The sun terrace looks straight over Kandersteg and the UNESCO World Heritage mountains — we ordered a cheese platter and two cold drinks, and our toddler ate most of the cheese.
One more thing: before you leave, take a look at the small selection of handmade gifts on sale at the restaurant. Local, personal and the kind of souvenir that actually means something — a lovely reminder of the morning.
Open daily June – September, approximately 10:00 – 17:00 (weather dependent)
Cash only — bring CHF! (No card machine up here)
More info: allmen-alp.ch
If You're Ready for More: Hikes from the Allmenalp
We only did a gentle wander — which was perfect for that day. But the Allmenalp is a serious hiking hub, and for families with older kids or adults who want to stretch their legs, there’s a full network of trails starting right from the top station.
A few highlights:
Easy
- Allmenalp – Ryharts viewpoint: 40 min, simple — a lovely short loop with a viewpoint. Perfect for families.
Intermediate
- Allmenalp – Ueschinental – Kandersteg: 2.5 hrs — a beautiful valley loop descending back to the village on foot.
- Allmenalp – Alpschelehubel: 2.5 hrs — a panoramic summit with views of the Blüemlisalp range.
- Allmenalp – Bunderspitz: 2 hrs 45 min — a proper summit, no extra equipment needed.
- Allmenalp – First: 2 hrs 50 min — another spectacular viewpoint hike.
Difficult
- Allmenalp – Adelboden via Bunderspitz or Bunderchrinde: 4.5–5 hrs — a classic traverse for experienced hikers, connecting to the Via Alpina route. Check the current trail status and download the hiking map at allmenalp.ch/en/experience/hiking.html
For the Adventurous: Via Ferrata Allmenalp
If you’re travelling without little ones, or your kids are older and experienced, the Allmenalp via ferrata is rated one of the most scenic in Switzerland. A 350-metre-high route through rock faces, waterfalls and a Nepal rope bridge — rated KS4, so you’ll want prior via ferrata experience and a head for exposure.
You can rent a full set at the valley station for CHF 25 per day.
You can already spot the climbing lines from the gondola on your way up — which is usually enough to convince a curious toddler that the climbers are superheroes.
Our Verdict: Worth It Every Time
We were back at the chalet by noon. Our toddler napped for two solid hours. The whole trip cost us less than CHF 60 for our family and we were back before lunch.
The Allmenalp is one of those places that works equally well as a short outing or a full day adventure — and that flexibility is exactly what you need when you’re travelling with children. You don’t need to do it all. Sometimes a bench, a view, and a cold drink at the top of a mountain is the whole point.
If you’re staying at Chalet Dahai, the cable car is practically on your doorstep. Go up for a lazy morning. Go up just because the gondola is there and the view is spectacular. You won’t regret it! Not to forget, from the balcony you can see the via ferret trail and the cable car going up, so you might as well give it a try while you’re there!
Allmenalp Quick Info
Cable car: Luftseilbahn Kandersteg-Allmenalp, Allmenbahnstrasse 23
Hours: 08:30–18:00 (May 9–Aug 30) / 08:30–17:00 (Aug 31–Oct 25)
Prices: Adults CHF 24 return · Children 6–15 CHF 12 return · Under 6 free
Allmen-Beizli restaurant: open Jun–Sep, approx. 10:00–17:00, cash only
