Saanen

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Holiday In The Saanenland

A May 2004 trip to Saanen by swandav2000

SaanenMore Photos

Just 3km from Gstaad, the village of Saanen, in the Saanen Valley, retains the beauty and charm of its Swiss heritage. With a population of around 6,000, it sits at the extreme western edge of the Berner Oberland.

  • 7 reviews
  • 1 story/tip
  • 27 photos

Holiday In The SaanenlandBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Saanen
The best thing to do here is just to walk around and enjoy the sights: the hills nearby, the distant mountains, and the picturesque villages tucked here and there.

Quick Tips:

Be sure to walk on the path from the Steigenberger down into the village -- quite picturesque. Also see if the church is having any musical performances.

Best Way To Get Around:

There is a great bus and train service.

Steigenberger HotelBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Steigenberger
Though it's a chain hotel, the Steigenberger has nothing but charm, class, and service! It's located up a steep, steep hill from the train station, but they'll come to get you at the train station with the hotel car. The rooms were very cozy, done with lots of wood and rich fabrics. Of course, the best part is the views down the Saanen Valley!
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by swandav2000 on July 23, 2004

Steigenberger Hotel
Auf der Halten Saanen, Switzerland
(33) 748-6464

Cycling to Chateau d'OexBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Cycling to Chateau d'Oex -- Part 1"

Cycling
The cycle path starts just beyond the train station, and it's very well indicated. The route follows some rough trails through cow pastures initially, but it soon becomes a smooth path through the rolling hills. There are a lot of walkers on the trail as well, and about. At Rougemont, the "Gruezi" became "Bonjour."
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by swandav2000 on July 23, 2004

Cycling to Chateau d'Oex
Train Station Saanen, Switzerland

Cycling to Chateau d'OexBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Cycling to Chateau d'Oex-- Part 2"

Cycling
Here are just a few more pictures of the route from Rougemont to Chateau d'Oex -- maybe next time I'll stop at Chateau d'Oex and Rougemont to explore and eat!
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by swandav2000 on July 23, 2004

Cycling to Chateau d'Oex
Train Station Saanen, Switzerland

Walking from Saanen to GstaadBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Walkway
There is a beautiful walkway linking Saanen and Gstaad that takes about 20 minutes to walk. It is bordered by a stream for part of the way, and by trees and rolling hills for the rest of the way. I often saw school kids biking the path -- probably students at the JFK International School in Saanen going home to Gstaad. I also saw a horse and rider, and of course, lots of walkers.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by swandav2000 on July 23, 2004

Walking from Saanen to Gstaad
Train Station Saanen, Switzerland

GstaadBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Gstaad
Walking to Gstaad, this is how you enter and how you see the town; it doesn't seem to be the center of an international community but rather a charming town. With great shops!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by swandav2000 on July 23, 2004

Gstaad
Town Center Saanen, Switzerland

Cows Going UpBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Cows
The day I was leaving town, I saw a herd of cows being herded into a pen, then another herd joined the first, and together they were herded out of town. One local boy explained that this goes on once a year, the day the cows go up to the mountains for the summer.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by swandav2000 on July 23, 2004

Cows Going Up
from Town Center to the mountains Saanen, Switzerland

SaanenlandBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

Saanenland
The two villages of Saanen and Gstaad are so close, you can see Gstaad from the hills around Saanen. These pictures are taken just outside the Steigenberger Hotel, and the cluster of buildings in the distance, nestling in the valley, is Gstaad.

About the Writer

swandav2000
swandav2000
There, Tennessee

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