The Lauenensee is a beautiful lake near in the foothills near Gstaad. You can reach it by car or bus and a short walk, no long arduous hike.

You can simply lounge and picnic along the lakeshore. But the short and easy walk around the beautiful Lauenensee lake is a good choice for anyone looking for an easy stroll with mountain views. The trail is a wide dirt path, easy to navigate and suitable for all-terrain strollers.

On hot days, some brave souls go for a swim in the cool water (we did!), a special experience in this idyllic setting. You can grill sausages at one of the picnic areas near the water or lunch at the restaurant with a view.

This lake is a popular destination and can get quite crowded, especially on weekends. So go off hours if you can. We did this hike one time in the late evening, an ideal time as most day trippers have left and the fading light is particularly beautiful. But if you come by bus, mind the schedule so you don't miss the last one, which is earlier than you might think. 

• Trail: Easy • 1hr • 3 km • 20m up/down

• Location: From Gstaad 20 mins by car, 35 mins by train

• Cost: You can visit the lake for free. But you need to pay for parking or the bus to reach the lake. Note that the bus requires a supplement in addition to the normal fare. making it more expensive that you might expect. Bus free with Gstaad Card or Berner Oberland Regional Pass.