Villages
Ten chalet villages make up the Destination Gstaad. Visitors will find an unparalleled range of leisure activities on offer here amidst the gentle and unspoiled Alpine landscape.
Business opening hours for tourist offices, hotels, restaurants, sports facilities and businesses vary depending on the season. The summer high season runs from the start of July to mid-September. The winter high season runs from the end of December to the start of January and mid- to the end of February. Please consult the page Service & Shopping for more information.
Gstaad: World-renowned, sophisticated traffic-free chalet village
Gstaad (1,050 m above sea level) is the region's main attraction, combining style, Swiss Gemütlichkeit and tradition in a delightful way. The traffic-free centre of the village is a harmonious mix of restaurants, shops, hotels and bars. The recreational areas surrounding the village are accessed by three mountain railways.
Highlights
- Traffic-free promenade and main shopping street
- Top-class hotel accommodation
- High-quality restaurants
- Three ski areas accessible from the village (glacier ski area only some 15 minutes away)
- Varied hiking region
Saanen: Living history on the language border to French-speaking Switzerland
Saanen (1,010 m above sea level) the historical heart of the Saanenland, is one of the most beautiful chalet villages in the Bernese Oberland. The village is listed amongst the townscapes of Switzerland most worthy of protection. Tradition, handicrafts and a rich history give Saanen its special charm.
Highlights
- Village centre with chalets dating back to the 15th to 18th century
- Museum der Landschaft Saanen
- Menuhin Centre Saanen
- Shopping experience
- Easy access to the Eggli - La Videmanette ski area (other ski areas 15 minutes away)
Schönried: Sport and enjoyment on Gstaad's sun terrace
Schönried (1,230 m above sea level) is situated on the sun terrace of the Destination Gstaad. The chalet village is a paradise for nature lovers as well as winter and summer sports enthusiasts. A mountain railway accesses the Horneggli mountain direct from the village centre. In winter Schönried offers direct access to the largest ski area in the region and a cross-country skiing paradise.
Highlights
- The region's largest ski arena with 105 km of runs
- 18 km of cross-country trails for all levels
- High-altitude hiking trails
- Tennis court
Village square named after Mike von Grünigen
Years after retiring from the sport, the local multiple world champion, Olympic medallist and World Cup overall winner in Giant Slalom , remains a role model and motivator for young, up-and-coming ski talent in the region. The village of Schönried dedicated its main square to Mike von Grünigen, commemorating the milestones of success in his unique sporting career. The official website of Mike von Grünigen: www.mvg.ch.
Saanenmöser: At the height of the pass with sun-soaked views
The sun-soaked chalet village of Saanenmöser (1,270 m above sea level) is situated at the same height as the pass that connects Zweisimmen and Saanen. Winter and summer sports enthusiasts will find a wide range of leisure facilities here. In winter the mountain railways accesses the region's largest ski area directly from the centre of the village. Gstaad's golf course is only a few minutes drive above the village.
Highlights
- 105 km of ski slopes right from the village centre
- Extensive cross-country ski area
- 18-hole golf course
- Tennis court
- Natural ice rink
- Snowpark
Zweisimmen: The gateway to Gstaad, set in the region's largest skiing and hiking area
Zweisimmen (945 m above sea level) is the eastern gateway to the Gstaad region. The village is the entrance to the region's largest ski area and also shares attractive hiking areas with the Saanenland. The village offers a wide range of shopping opportunities in its traffic-calmed village centre. The medieval parish church, theObersimmentaler Heimathaus and the Caste Trail showcase history and tradition in a very compact space.
Highlights
Lauenen: Romantic mountain village famous for its much-sung-about lake
The fox and hare still say goodnight to each other in the romantic mountain village of Lauenen (1,241 m above sea level) The old timber houses and the beautiful church are testimony to an awareness of tradition. The nature reserve on Lake Lauenen features impressive waterfalls, glaciers and upland moors. Lake Lauenen is regarded as a place of great energy. The band "Span" dedicated a song to it, which has become one of the classics of Swiss folk music.
Highlights
- Village centre with chalets dating back to the 15th to 18th century.
- Gelten - Iffigen nature reserve
- Lake Lauenen Recommendation for the journey to Lake Lauenen: On foot, by post bus or by bicycle from the village of Lauenen.
- Cross-country skiing area
- Hiking paradise
- Romantic horse sleigh rides
- Ski lift
Turbach: Scattered settlement in Gstaad's most romantic side valley
Turbach (1,320 m above sea level) the idyllic side valley of Gstaad, offers romantic summer and winter hikes, bike tracks and cross-country trails. The famous Tiger Run on the Wasserngrat, Gstaad's exclusive skiing mountain, is situated opposite the village. Gstaad and the surrounding ski areas can be reached in a matter of minutes.
Highlights
- Skiing on the Wasserngrat
- Turbach cross-country trail
- Trüttlisberg pass route
- Walks, picnic sites and BBQs on the Turbach
Feutersoey: The stepping stone to Lake Arnen
The small village of Feutersoey (1,185 m above sea level) is part of the municipality of Gsteig and lies on the River Saane between Gstaad and the Col du Pillon. The surroundings boast many lakes and beautiful hiking areas. In winter the village is the starting point for ski tours and the destination for many off-piste skiers. In the summer challenging mountain bike routes start from here.
Highlights
Gsteig: Historic hamlet on the Col du Pillon
The village of Gsteig (1,200 m above sea level), which is under Cultural Heritage Protection, lies in the deep valley of the River Saane at the Col du Pillon, framed by the Diablerets massif and the Sanetsch region . The church and the adjacent Hotel Bären are amongst the most photographed villagescapes in Switzerland.
Highlights
- Village centre dating back to the 16th and 18th century, under Cultural Heritage Protection
- Glacier 3000 Glacier ski and hiking area
- Lake Sanetsch
- Cross-country skiing area
- Hiking paradise
- Campsite
Abländschen: Dreamlike hamlet set against the limestone backdrop of the Gastlosen
The idyllic small chalet village of Abländschen (1,320 m above sea level), which belongs to the political municipality of Saanen, is dominated by the limestone cliffs of the Gastlosen ridge. The area is popular with hikers, cyclists and climbing enthusiasts.
