A land of breathtaking beauty, Switzerland is known for its magnificent mountains, fairy tale villages, lush meadows and pictursque lakes. It is home to thousands of lakes and arguably one of the most beautiful lakes is the Blausee or Blue Lake located in the Kandertal Region of the Bernese Oberland. A stunning spectacle, this lake is known for its crystal clear waters that are an unmissable shade of blue!
Nestled amidst enchanting woods, the lake is accessible after a short 200-meter walk through a traffic-free nature park. The entire ambience seems straight out of a picture book with moss covered boulders and gnarled trees surrounding the lake. There is a quality of intrigue coupled with allure which makes the place almost magical.
The view of the lake amidst the imposing woods is sure to leave you ensnared and whether it is autumn, winter, spring or summer, Blausee is a popular attraction with locals and tourists alike.
The history of Blausee dates 15,000 years ago in the last ice age and was formed after a huge landslide and glacier fall. The lake is fed by groundwater from the Kander river and underground springs. The’unique blue tint is due to the clear mineral-rich water. Since only the blue spectrum of the light is absorbed, the water appears a splendid azure hue. While the area was historically remote, the expansion of the road leading to the lake and the establishment of the Lötschberg Railway in the valley resulted in the entire region experiencing an unprecedented rise in the number of visitors.
It is interesting to note that Blausee is also associated with a legend. Based on this legend, artist and sculptor Raffael Fuchs has carved in stone a beautiful lady who was found dead in Blausee many years ago. According to the story, after the sudden death of her lover, with whom she had previously spent many romantic hours in this area, she went night after night to the Blue Lake. In deep mourning she struggled with fate until she finally met her own death. Because of her tears, the lake is said to have acquired its blue color.
There are several activities that one can indulge in while here. This includes hiking, trekking as well as a slow boat ride on the placid waters of the lake. There are some lovely hiking trails in the Blausee Nature Park. The gorge trail leads directly to the rock room and the Wolfsschlucht while the bridge trail takes you to the water house and the playground. You can also enjoy a picnic in the park or take a slow walk through the paths as you tread along roots, stones and on soft earth. With firs and deciduous trees all around, this is a haven for nature lovers. There is a restaurant as well as a trout farm within the nature park.
During the warmer months, you can experience new insights and perspectives at Blausee. With the glass-bottom rowing boat, you glide gently over the crystal-clear waters and learn a lot of interesting facts about this small natural wonder. Because the water comes from underground springs, it is crystal clear. The tree trunks and rocks, which are up to twelve meters under water, seem to be just below the surface. The trip in the glass-bottom rowing boat is included in the entrance fee and no reservation is required.
All in all, Blausee is an idyllic paradise and is a great idea for a family outing. It is about 180 km from Zurich and forms for the perfect day trip from Zurich. It is just under 60 km from the Swiss Chalet village of Brienz.
