Things to do in Gstaad with Kids – On a Budget

Gstaad is an upscale resort town in the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps. There are plenty of things to do in Gstaad with kids, and what we like, even budget friendly.

Known as the celebrity Swiss resort, with plenty of 5 star hotels, visits from Bollywood stars and even Robbie Williams is calling Gstaad home.

Julie Andrews once called Gstaad “the last paradise in a crazy world” and I feel she was right about this.

Let me introduce to you the family friendly Gstaad, filled with buckets of cool activities.

You don’t need to be famous to have the best time in Gstaad. Just go and see for yourself.

Full with the most incredible playgrounds, theme trails that will excite your little hikers, and let’s not forget the panorama. Breathtakingly beautiful at every corner.

Let’s go and have 2 amazing days in Gstaad!

We will cover; Alpenzauber Theme Trail; Klangerlebnis Theme Trail, Abländschen Fondue Plausch, see more below.

Should you be in Gstaad during the winter – read our blog post – Skiing in Gstaad with kids

Gstaad – Saanenland in a Nutshell

We spent 2 nights in this stunning Swiss resort, and I have to be honest, even being Swiss I had little idea about Gstaad. All I knew was that Gstaad has the Swiss Open Gstaad, incredibly expensive hotels, luxury shops and of course the MOB GoldenPass train line.

But there is much more to it.

Geography

When people talk about Gstaad, the area they refer to includes all the 5 side valleys making up Saanenland. It stretches from Saanen to Zweisimmen and includes the valley of Lauenen, and Gsteig with its beautiful Arnensee.

The Saanenland stretches as far as the hidden gem of Abländschen behind the Mittelberg pass, which is already in the Fribourg valley.

Events

Important events for Gstaad are the well known Swiss Gstaad Open tennis tournament and the Gstaad Mehuin Music festival. Both of these events are held during the summer months.

Gstaad also is famous for its GoldenPass train line. A unique train experience passing through breathtaking Swiss landscapes.

Read more about this most magical train ride in Switzerland

Things to do in Gstaad with Kids – On a Budget

During our visit we quickly recognised that Gstaad is full with family friendly activities and have some of the best playgrounds for all ages in Switzerland. But it doesn’t stop there, theme trails passing through stunning landscapes that will motivate every little hiker to complete the course.

And perhaps the whole family can learn one or two things at the same time. All within an unbelievable panorama.

Follow our steps in Gstaad and discover the real beauty Saanenland has to offer.

And learn all about the adventures of Saani, Giselle and Olga. (Gstaad’s Mascots – a goat, a chicken and a cow).

Note: We first stayed at the Jugendherberge in Saanen – Gstaad and then changed to the Berghotel Zur Sau in Abländschen. You can read more about both of these accommodations further down.

Hiking the Alpenzauber Theme Trail at Rinderberg

Our day in Gstaad started in Zweisimmen at the Rinderberg valley station, ready to hike the NEW theme trail “Alpenzauber!” and to discover the equally new interactive “Olga’s Kuh Stall”.

Hiking Overview

This trail starts at Horneggli and finishes at Rinderberg. However we chose to hike it in the opposite direction as it is easier with less uphill hiking.

Rinderberg to Horneggli and down to Schönried by chairlift.

(If you miss the chairlift like we did, there is a path down to Schönried which means your hike has just extended by 1h20minutes)

• Distance 5.8 km
• Ascent 70 m
• Descent 311 m
• Highest point 2075 m
• Lowest point 1764 m

Good to know

• Make sure to purchase (Chf 5.-) the Alpenzauber booklet at the valley station. During the hike collect letters along the way and with the riddle solved you will get a great present.
• At both ends of the hikes are nice restaurants.
• At Rinderberg is the NEW indoor and outdoor playground with interactive stations where kids, and adults, can learn about a day at the farm.
• During the gondola ride up from Rinderberg scan the QR code and listen to Fritz’s Story.
• At post 4 is a great BBQ grill station and another one right before the Horneggli chairlft.
• At Hornberg you’ll find a small lake with wakeboarding facilities.
• If you finish the hike at Rinderberg you have the possibility to descend to the middle station at Eggweid and then take a mountain scooter to Zweisimmen.

How to get there

Within Gstaad it is very easy to travel from A to B with public transport allowing for a car free time in the Swiss Alps.

The train station in Zweisimmen is only a few minutes’ walk from the Rinderberg cable car station. The same applies if you start at Schönried. Less than 5 minutes walk from the train station and you will already be sitting on the chairlift to Horneggli.

On the Alpenzauber Trail

This is one of the most beautiful ridge hikes we have completed and should be on any hiking bucket list. Whilst the kids excitedly solve the riddles on all 8 posts and discuss what they have learned along the way, we admired with every step the breathtaking panorama and filled the camera memory card with hundreds of photos.

The 8 posts scattered along the 5.6 km long trail, share interesting facts about alpine life. Every post tells a small sweet story that is also written in the Alpenzauibern booklet which you can buy at the Rinderberg or Schönried station.

And like everywhere in Saanenland, all along the ridge trail we encountered many cows. Don’t be afraid, just pass by them calmly. Share the trail!

Get your prize

Now the most exciting part. If you’ve figured out the riddle and the solution word, show it at the valley station on either side and collect your prize. To keep it a surprise we will not reveal what it is, but I can honestly say it was one of the best theme trail prizes we have received.

Enjoy your hike on the Alpenzauber trail.

Hiking Map Alpenzauber Weg

To give you a better understanding of the path, click on the map which brings you to the hiking map.

Second Day in Gstaad – Saanis Sound Trail (Klangerlebnis Weg)

The weather was not that favourable to head up the mountain so we decided to explore the valley floor. And the best way to do so is by following another theme trail. This trail is dedicated to the important yearly event of the “Menuhin Festival”

Learn and discover all about sound, music and rhythm.

Hiking Overview

Saanen to Gstaad or vice versa.

• Distance 4.1 km
• Ascent 33 m
• Descent 3 m
• Highest point 1043 m
• Lowest point 1010 m

You can start either in Saanen or in Gstaad. As our accommodation was in Saanen we started here.

Good to know

• The path can easily be done by bike, pushchair or trottinett. It gives a nice change from hiking.
• At station 12 there is a detour to the most amazing playground “Alpenruhe”.
  You could easily spend the whole day there. The Alpenruhe playground has it all. A petting zoo, a pirate ship to climb on, and even a massive jumping cushion we have only ever seen in Iceland.
  The café invites for a refreshing drink, and on weekends and Wednesday’s kids can ride the ground on the mini kids’ railroad.
  So, you might need to have some tricks ready to encourage the kids to continue the hike.
• If you start in Saanen you will finish the trail at the Gstaad Sports Centre where an amazing indoor and outdoor swimming pool can be found. Perfect to finish the day with a splash. So bring your swim suit.
• And at the same place is another playground and a mini golf area. Whatever you choose to do, it will not get boring in Gstaad.
• At either end of the trail there are plenty of restaurants to choose from.
• There are three great BBQ stations available on the way with wood provided, one of which is at the Alpenruhe playground.

Where to start

Starting in Saanen – The trail starts (finishes) by the train station close to the Yehudi Menuhin monument.

Starting in Gstaad – Post number one is at the Gstaad Sportscentre.

Both starting points are easily accessible by bus or train.

Click on the photo below to access the hiking map for a better understanding.

On the Sound Trail (Klangerlebnis Weg)

Before you start get the booklet at the Tourism Office in Saanen or Gstaad (Chf 5.-). By the end of the trail you will have a combination to open the lock on the treasure chest to claim your prize.

On the trail there are 18 stations and all have something to do with music. Solve the riddle and you will get a number. The right combination will open the treasure chest at the end. It is that simple.

But I will give you a hint, make sure you read the booklet carefully. We had a few hiccups and luckily the lady at Gstaad Tourism was super helpful to correct our errors.

Here are some images along the trail.

Gstaad Sports Centre

We had a quick bite to eat at the sports centre. Super food and great staff.

As we had still plenty of time left, we enjoyed a minigolf session and even went for a swim and a splash.

Discover the Alpine Village Abländschen

Our overnight stay for our last night was in Abländschen. It feels like a place at the end of the road, mountain or even world.

Maybe you have heard of the famous Gastlosen mountain range that belongs to Fribourg which is a great hiking area.

Abländschen is at the foot of the Gastlosen.

The good thing is that from May to the end of October the electro PostBus connects Abländschen with Saanen or Jaun (in the Canton Fribourg) via the Mittelbergpass, providing the perfect opportunity to visit this hidden part of the Saanenland.

You can also drive, or even make a stop part of a bike tour.

Check-in to the Berghotel Zur Sau

After an hours bus ride through breathtaking nature, we arrived at our Hotel Zur Sau. Ready to eat and have a restful night.

The hotel is gorgeous and from the moment you step foot inside you feel the passion, love and dedication to hospitality provided by the hosts.

We had the family suite, a spacious two bedrooms with seating area and bathroom. Plenty of space for the four of us.

For dinner we took the surprise menu. Wow, a culinary delight was served with locally sourced ingredients, many straight from  the hotel garden.

Good to know

There is an e-bike charging station available at the hotel.

Third day in Gstaad – Abländschen XXL Fondue Plausch

After a very quiet night we enjoyed breakfast and had a stroll to the church which is a must when in Abländschen.

The cute mountain church dates back to 1612 and the view down the valley from there is beautiful. We were lucky to find  2 Alphorn players practicing. It was magical.

The area has plenty of e-bike and mountain bike trails. You could easily spend the day exploring the region. Otherwise tighten your hiking boots once more and circle the Gastlosen.

Abländschen XXL Fondue Plausch

However we had other plans for our last day in Gstaad.

When in Gstaad you simply have to try a fondue lunch in one of the 8 different XXL fondue caquelons.

And as the Abländschen fondue caquelon was brand new, it was the perfect opportunity to test it out.

How it works

If you like to have lunch in any of the 8 fondue caquelons in Gstaad Saanenland visit their website. It tells you where to pick up the famous Swiss fondue backpack and where the caquelon is located in your chosen destination.

In Abländschen, the caquelon is close to the church and can be reached by a short 5 minutes walk uphill.

Conveniently, the E-Bus is stopping right there, and should you arrive by car, there is parking available by the church.

The fondue backpack has to be ordered and picked up at Restaurant Zitbödeli in Abländschen.

Whats inside

You can choose from two different fondue mixes and the cost is Chf 18.- per person for the classic mix.

Included in the fondue backpack is (Abländschen comparison)

• The cheese mix
• Bread (the best fondue bread I have ever tasted)
• Herbs
• Cutlery and plates
• Fondue caquelon and burner

At the pick-up station you normally have the possibility to buy drinks as well.

We brought some fruit and dried meat with us as an extra.

Check out our experience here with a Visual Video on Instagram

Hotels in Gstaad – Where to stay

Gstaad is well known for its many 5 Star Celebrity Hotels. Whilst a stay in one of these places would most certainly have been exceptional, this time we first tested the Jugendherberge Gstaad in Saanen. (Youth Hostel Gstaad/Saanen)

Definitely the cheaper option but also a very family friendly one. The communal areas are wide open and there is plenty of place for the kids to meet new friends, play table football or have fun at the outdoor table tennis area.

There is an option to book with half board which suited as perfectly. Within 5 minutes of check-in our kids had already made friends and off they all went together.

Our family room with private bathroom was spacious and comfortable with some mountain views.

Facilities

In the communal area you will find a small shop (open during reception time) a fridge, microwave, and a kettle.

There is also a coffee machine (payable as of 11h) Free during breakfast time.

• Packed lunch to order (payable)
• Half board to add (Chf 19.50 for adults, Chf 14.40 children 6-12, for a 3-course buffet meal)
• Bikeroom
• E-Bike charging station & e-bike rental
• Bedding included with a towel
• Baby equipment

Car or Train

If you travel with public transport, it is only a 10 minutes’ walk from the Saanen train station.

Otherwise, there are some payable parking places available which need to be pre booked. Places are limited and cost 10.-

Good to know

The Jugendherberge Gstaad is wheelchair accessible throughout , book your stay and you won’t regret it.

Gstaad Card

Every guest that overnights in Gstaad get the Gstaad Card which gives you free access to the public transport system. Furthermore there are many other discounted activities available.

If you cannot find a place browse the map below. There are plenty of accommodations in Gstaad that suits every budget.

Other things to do during your family weekend in Gstaad

During our family weekend in Gstaad we also had time to squeeze in the following activities.

Tree Rope Park & Swimming pool Zweisimmen

We always love a tree rope park and so we had to test the Zweisimmen Alpinzentrum Park as well.

The park is from 6 years of age (minimum 120 cm tall) and offers 5 different courses with different difficulty levels.

Good to know

You could easily do it after the Alpenzauberweg when you finish at Rinderberg. But be aware the park closes at 17.30h.

Prices and other information click here.

Right next to the rope park is the Zweisimmen Badi (outdoor swimming pool).

Visit Lauenensee – Lake Lauenen

A few years back we visited Lauenen, another part of the Gstaad-Saaneland.

If you have an extra day, I would recommend to spend some time there.

We actually stayed in Lauenen at the Hotel Alpenland Lauenen and biked to the lake. It was a beautiful tour.

From Gstaad you can get to Lauenensee by bus, route 181. The bus runs seven times a day during mid-May to mid-October. And if I am not mistaken the last bus back to Gstaad is around 17h.

Read more about Lake Lauenen and the beautiful Alpenland Hotel in Lauenen bei Gstaad.

Arriving in Gstaad in Style with the GoldenPass Line

A great way to arrive in Gstaad is from Montreux on the magnificent GoldenExpress Line MOB.

This trip adds to your family weekend in Gstaad and will bring a lot of memorable moments for sure.

Read all about The GoldenPass Line on our blog

I hope that the information provided here will prove useful when planning your Family Weekend in Gstaad on a Budget.

If I have left anything out, please ask your questions in the comments below and share your experience. So that other readers can join in the conversation and benefit from your queries and stories as well.

Note: This trip was in cooperation with Gstaad Tourismus, thank you again! However, you can always be assured that the recommendations, tips and reviews are always honest.

Thank you & Never Forget to Explore

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