Lenken Lake (Lenkerseeland)

The place the old listings call Lenken is the village of Lenk, in the upper Simmental valley of the Bernese Oberland, about twenty-five kilometres from Gstaad as the crow flies, though the road between them climbs over the Hahnenmoos pass or goes the long way round through the valley. Lenk lies at roughly a thousand metres above sea level, at the head of the valley where the Simme river begins, and it is surrounded by high mountains, including the Wildstrubel massif, whose glaciers are visible from the village on clear days. The region is promoted under the name Lenkerseeland, or Lenk Lake District, after the small lakes and ponds in the surrounding hills.

The lake nearest the village, the Lenkersee, is a modest body of water just outside the settlement, used mainly for local recreation. It is the kind of lake that forms the centre of a summer afternoon: a place for swimming, sunbathing on the grass and picnics, with a mountain backdrop that makes it feel more dramatic than its size suggests. The water is cool, as it is in all Alpine lakes, and it warms only in the hottest weeks, so many visitors paddle more than they swim. Fishing may be possible, but permits and local rules apply, and visitors should check them before they try.

The village itself has a long history as a spa. Springs rich in sulphur rise nearby, and Lenk has been known since the nineteenth century as a place to take the waters, with a traditional bath house and hotels, and the sulphurous smell of the springs is part of the local character. Today the village combines this tradition with sports and relaxation. In summer, walking and mountain biking are the main activities, with trails leading to alpine pastures and to the source of the Simme, called the Siebenbrunnen, or seven springs, where the river emerges from several springs at the foot of a cliff in a spectacular setting, with waterfalls fed by meltwater. In winter, Lenk is a ski resort, linked to Adelboden by a large ski area.

The Simmental is also known for farming. The Simmental breed of cattle, with its red and white coat, originated here and has been exported all over the world, and the valley is dotted with wooden farmhouses with carved facades and deep eaves. Cheese is made in the high pastures in summer, and local dairies sell it in village shops.

Lenk is reachable by train from Spiez or Thun through the Simmental, with a change at Zweisimmen for the last stretch, and by road. There is parking near the lake and the village centre. The area suits families, walkers and anyone who prefers quiet mountain villages to large resorts. The best time to visit is summer for the lake and walks, though early autumn, with its colours and clear air, is excellent too. Check the weather and local conditions before you set out, since mountain weather changes quickly, and wear sturdy shoes if you plan to walk to the Siebenbrunnen.