This high ridge cuts through open pasture and sparse forest, delivering wide, 360‐degree mountain views. Summer wildflowers line the traversing trail while winter sees compacted snowshoe tracks underfoot. It suits fit walkers after a heart‐pumping climb, with joyful wildlife sightings common along the way. Book lunch afterwards at the Wasserngrat restaurant - or Eagle Ski Club, if you’re lucky enough to know a member - to round things off properly.

A tiny, old-school mountain inn – in the valley of Turbach and run by sweet couple Gabi and Ralph Pietsch – made for long lunches on its book-ahead terrace. Portions are generous, and the service professionally relaxed, while the regularly changing menu leans toward well-loved mountain recipes, including a particularly good entrecôte with moreish matchstick fries. Its position along walking trails and cross-country routes makes it a natural stopping point year-round.

Starting at Wispile, the path winds through meadows dotted with wildflowers, leading to Lauenensee’s twin lakes 14 km later. Banks and benches have been smartly placed for breaks, snacks, or a paddle. The trail is well marked, with a cable car back to Gstaad for those wanting to skip the descent. Families and walkers of most abilities can take in long‐lasting lake views without too much of a commitment to a strenuous high‐altitude climb.

Next to the kids’ mountain at Wispile, Ski Bar South Pole is the sunniest slope- side coffee stop. Warming lattes and buttery pastries fuel parents on a casual terrace, where ski instructors shout “snow plough!” at wobbling beginners below. It’s no-frills and functional, but reliably placed for a caffeine pause between lessons, sunshine laps and gondola rides back up the mountain.