Hotel Kreuz in Lenk im Simmental

The holiday resort of Lenk lies at the very rear of the Simmen valley in a wide opening. Here, the Wildstrubel massif forms one of the most beautiful valley closures in the Alps, and the perfect setting for the varied Bernese Oberland walking and winter sports paradise with its many natural attractions. Lenk, at an altitude of 1068 metres, is one the Swiss holiday resorts that has been awarded the «Families Welcome» quality mark and offers a wide and varied programme of children’s activities. In summer the «Strubeli» steam railway operates for the younger guests. Lenk has also established a reputation for itself with festivals and courses in the fields of culture and music. The tourism beginnings of Lenk go back to its sulphurous springs, which are believed to provide relief to sufferers of rheumatism and respiratory diseases. Even today, guests in the thermal baths of the Lenkerhof Alpine Resort continue to enjoy the beneficial effects of the spa waters. Summer The Simme originates from several white-foaming rock clefts – the so-called ‘seven sources’ beneath the Plaine Morte Glacier on the Rezlialp. United with water from the Wildhorn massif, which plummets down 100 m over the impressive Iggig falls, the young Simme is born. A circular walk leads past the Iffig falls to the «seven sources» and to the Simmen falls. The Simmen valley offers a mammoth 600 km of walking trails, including several themed trails such as the Lynx and Marmot Trail on the Betelberg, a Zen Trail and the Alpine Flower Trail with 95 plant species. 290 km of mountain bike trails, tennis and beach volleyball courts, an indoor and outdoor pool provide for fun, sport and variety. Winter The ski areas around Lenk in the Simmental aren’t dauntingly large, yet, with 50 lifts and a network of pistes extending to 170 kilometres, are still extremely varied. The Metschbahn cableway provides access to the entire Adelboden – Lenk ski region with numerous simple to medium-difficulty pistes, wide carving pistes, interesting snowboard parks as well as a permanent race piste. The ski area on the Betelberg is smaller and more suited to families. A 3-km-long toboggan run leads from the Leiterli mountain station to the Stoss half-way station. Children will find lots to do here in the children’s paradise. 77 km of cross-country ski trails and 74 km of winter walking trails round off the attractions of the Lenk winter paradise. At St. Stephan, there are connections to the expansive ski area of Gstaad-Saanenland. The family ski area by the Jaun pass near Boltigen and the family-friendly Rossberg ski lift can best be characterised as small and idyllic.