UNESCO World Heritage Trail – Bench No. 3: Kandersteg – From Trade Route to Holiday Resort

In 1352, a wooden cross was recorded for the first time on the pass summit, and in 1374 Kandersteg was mentioned as an overnight stop along the spice trade route. Until the 19th century, most strangers in the region were travellers passing through, merchants, or the sick. The tourism boom began in the mid-19th century with the expansion of mule tracks over the Gemmi and Lötschen passes. From 1855 onwards, through-traffic increased and leisure tourism developed. The first larger hotels were built in this period. Around 1900, with the construction of the Lötschberg railway, Kandersteg experienced a rapid upswing: within 15 years, 19 hotels were opened in the valley floor and three in the Gasterntal. Kandersteg also became a popular winter destination.