Gsteig bei Gstaad is the last village before the Col du Pillon pass — 8 kilometres from Gstaad, at the point where the valley narrows dramatically between the Spitzhorn and the Oldenhorn. The village is tiny (population under 400), entirely authentic and almost entirely off the resort circuit. The restaurants here serve the valley's farmers and passing cyclists and hikers, not the Promenade crowd. Nearby Feutersoey has Restaurant Rössli, family-owned since 1919 and known across the Saanenland for its legendary poached trout.
Gsteig bei Gstaad and the adjacent hamlet of Feutersoey mark the end of the main Saanenland valley before the road climbs to the Col du Pillon (1,546m). The landscape here is more dramatic than around Gstaad village — narrower, with steep rock faces on both sides — and the character is correspondingly more remote. These are communities that have lived from farming and passing trade for centuries, not from resort hospitality.
Restaurant Rössli at Gsteigstrasse 161, Feutersoey, has been owned by the Reichenbach family since 1919 — one of the longest-running family restaurants in the entire Bernese Oberland. The kitchen's signature is poached trout, served whole from the river with traditional Swiss sides. The restaurant also serves classic Swiss dishes: rösti, cheese preparations, seasonal meat. Open Wednesday to Monday. Booking recommended for weekend evenings; walk-in generally possible for lunch.
The Col du Pillon above Gsteig provides road access to the Diablerets glacier and the Glacier 3000 ski area — the year-round skiing plateau visible from much of the Saanenland. The Pillon road is one of the classic Swiss Alpine passes, open spring to autumn. Several small mountain restaurants operate at the pass itself and at the Glacier 3000 cable car base station. Combining a Gsteig restaurant lunch with a Glacier 3000 visit is a natural full-day excursion from Gstaad.
The Col du Pillon is one of the celebrated cycling climbs of the Bernese Oberland — part of the route that Tour de Suisse stages have used several times. Cyclists passing through Gsteig stop at Restaurant Rössli for lunch before the climb. The descent from the Col toward Les Diablerets in Canton Vaud is equally popular. If you are cycling the region, Rössli Feutersoey is the natural rest stop between Gstaad and the pass.
The Gelten waterfall, one of the largest Alpine waterfalls in the Bernese Oberland, is accessible on foot from Gsteig via a well-marked path (2.5 hours, moderate). The path passes through Lauenen and rises steeply to the waterfall basin. Farm restaurants near the Gelten alp area are open in summer. Combining the waterfall hike with a Rössli dinner in Feutersoey is a full and physically satisfying day out from Gstaad.
Gsteig is 8km from Gstaad by road — 12 minutes by car via Feutersoeystrasse. No regular train service reaches Gsteig. A summer bus service operates on selected days (check Bernmobil). Taxi from Gstaad costs CHF 25–35. By bicycle it is an excellent 35-minute ride along the valley road. Return transport needs to be arranged in advance — call Gstaad taxi or coordinate with Rössli for local taxi contacts.
Gsteig village has a notable 15th-century church (Kirche Gsteig) and a medieval defensive tower visible from the valley road. The village fountain dates from the 17th century. The Saanenland mountain bike routes pass through the village. In winter, the cross-country ski circuit extends to Gsteig from Feutersoey. The valley is also popular with birdwatchers — the wetland areas near the Sarine source are designated nature reserves.
Rössli Feutersoey can accommodate private group dinners with advance notice. The intimate dining rooms (total capacity approximately 50–60) are suitable for family celebrations, cycling group dinners and hiking party meals. Contact the Reichenbach family directly for group bookings.
We call Rössli Feutersoey in Swiss German. Tell us your date, time and party size — and whether you want the trout or a mixed Swiss menu.
Feutersoey · Swiss, Fondue
Family-owned since 1919 by the Reichenbach family — one of Gstaad's longest-standing restaurants, famous for its legendary poached trout.
Gstaad · Swiss, Mountain
Beloved Stallbeizli converted from a 19th-century cow barn. Rustic Swiss food, farm-fresh produce, beautiful sunset terrace.
Gsteig · Swiss
Hotel Restaurant Bären is a swiss restaurant in Gsteig, in the heart of the Saanenland. Located at Gsteigstrasse 1, 3785 Gsteig. Reserve a table by WhatsApp for the best availability across the Gstaad valley.
Feutersoey · Fondue
Fondue Caquelon Wispile is a fondue restaurant in Feutersoey, in the heart of the Saanenland. Located at C8F2+92, 3784 Gsteig. Reserve a table by WhatsApp for the best availability across the Gstaad valley.
Feutersoey · Swiss
Huus am Arnensee is a swiss restaurant in Feutersoey, in the heart of the Saanenland. Located at Hinderi Waligstrasse 2, 3784 Feutersoey. Reserve a table by WhatsApp for the best availability across the Gstaad valley.
Restaurant Rössli Feutersoey — family-owned since 1919, famous for poached trout. One of the most authentic and long-standing restaurants in the Saanenland.
8km by road, 12 minutes by car. No train service. Summer bus on selected days. Taxi CHF 25–35.
Yes — Wednesday to Monday from 11:00. Walk-in generally possible for weekday lunches.
The Col du Pillon alpine pass, access to Glacier 3000, the medieval church, and Restaurant Rössli Feutersoey's legendary poached trout.
Yes — 12 minutes by car. Combine with a Col du Pillon drive, Gelten waterfall hike, or cycling route, finishing with dinner at Rössli.
Send one WhatsApp message. We call the restaurant in English, German, French or Italian, confirm the table, and reply with your booking details — usually within 10 minutes.
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