Oeschinensee (Bern, Switzerland)

Lake Oeschinen is a Unesco World Heritage Site and considered by many to be the most beautiful mountain lake in the Alps. It lies above Kandersteg and is an intact mountain lake fed by the glacial streams of the three-thousand-metre peaks Blüemlisalp, Oeschinenhorn, Fründenhorn and Doldenhorn. At an elevation of 1,578 metres (5,177 ft), it has a surface area of 1.1147 square kilometres (0.4304 sq mi). Its maximum depth is 56 metres (184 ft). The lake is generally frozen during five months, from December to May. From time to time ice skating is possible on the ice. Fish in the lake include Arctic char (Seesaibling), lake trout (Kanadische Seeforelle), rainbow trout (Regenbogenforelle). From January to March, ice fishing is popular. A gondola lift from Kandersteg leads to Oeschinen, 25 minutes by foot from the lake.