Honestly, nothing quite prepares you for the moment Grindelwald comes into view. You step off the train and there it is: the Eiger just sitting there, enormous and a little intimidating, with the glacier spilling down the valley below it. I remember thinking it looked unreal, like a backdrop someone had painted a bit too dramatically. But that’s just Grindelwald, it genuinely looks like that all the time. Nestled in the Bernese Oberland, it’s a small village that somehow packs in more scenery, more adventure, and more things to do than places ten times its size. Summer or winter, it doesn’t matter, you will not run out of reasons to be outside.
How to Get to Grindelwald
Grindelwald sits about 2 hours from both Zürich and Bern by train, with no car required. From Interlaken Ost, the Bernese Oberland Bahn (BOB) whisks you up to the village in around 35 minutes — and the views from the window are already worth the ride.
| From | Route | Approx. Time |
| Zürich HB | Train to Interlaken Ost → BOB to Grindelwald | ~2 hrs |
| Bern | Train to Interlaken Ost → BOB to Grindelwald | ~1 hr 45 min |
| Geneva | Train to Interlaken Ost → BOB to Grindelwald | ~2 hrs 45 min |
| Lucerne | Train to Interlaken Ost → BOB to Grindelwald | ~2 hrs |
Top 10 Things to Do in Grindelwald
1. Ride up to Jungfraujoch — Top of Europe
No trip to Grindelwald is complete without making the trek to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe. The Jungfrau Railway departs from Kleine Scheidegg, reached via the cogwheel train from Grindelwald, and drills straight through the Eiger and Mönch before emerging into a world of permanent snow and silence.
At the top you’ll find the Sphinx Observatory, the Aletsch Glacier viewpoint, the Ice Palace, and some of the most otherworldly views you’ll ever lay eyes on.
- Cost: From CHF 145 (with Swiss Travel Pass discount); standard adult from CHF 222
- Time needed: Allow a full day from Grindelwald
- Tip: Book morning departures to beat cloud cover — clear skies are most reliable before noon
2. Hike to the Bachalpsee
One of the most iconic Alpine hikes in Switzerland, the trail to Bachalpsee begins at First and takes around 1.5 hours each way on well-maintained paths. When the skies are clear, the lake perfectly mirrors the Schreckhorn and Wetterhorn peaks.
- Getting there: Take the First gondola from the village (CHF 36 return; included with Swiss Travel Pass at 25% off)
- Difficulty: Easy–moderate; well-marked trail suitable for most fitness levels
- Best time: July–September for snow-free paths; October for golden larch colour
3. First Cliff Walk & First Flyer
While you’re up at First, don’t miss the First Cliff Walk, a vertiginous steel walkway that hugs the cliff edge at 2,167 m and rewards you with a front-row seat to the Bernese Alps. It’s free to walk once you’ve taken the gondola up.
If you’re after more of an adrenaline kick, the First Flyer zip line is the fastest way down (apart from falling), launching you over Alpine meadows at up to 84 km/h. The First Flieger, Trottibike, and Mountain Cart round out the adventure options on the mountain.
- First Flyer: CHF 29 per ride
- Trottibike descent: CHF 19
4. Explore the Grindelwald Glacier Gorge
The Gletscherschlucht (Glacier Gorge) is one of Grindelwald’s most underrated attractions — a narrow canyon carved over millennia by glacial meltwater, with suspended walkways, turquoise pools, and walls of polished rock rising overhead. It’s a 30-minute walk from the village centre.
- Entry: ~CHF 8 adults, CHF 5 children
- Time needed: 1–1.5 hours
- Season: Open roughly May to October (weather dependent)
5. Ski & Snowboard the Jungfrau Ski Region
In winter, Grindelwald forms part of the vast Jungfrau Ski Region, which connects to Wengen, Mürren, and the slopes around Kleine Scheidegg for a combined 213 km of pistes. Whether you’re a beginner hunting gentle blues or an expert after the steep blacks of Männlichen, the variety here is exceptional.
| Level | Recommended Area |
| Beginner | Bodmi nursery slopes (village level) |
| Intermediate | First — long cruising reds with glacier views |
| Advanced | Kleine Scheidegg to Grindelwald Grund classic descent |
| Off-piste | North Face of the Eiger area (with guide) |
- Day ski pass: from CHF 79 (adult); multi-day passes offer better value
- Season: December to April (snow reliable at higher elevations from late November)
6. Männlichen & the Royal Walk
Take the gondola up to Männlichen, then walk the gentle 2 km “Royal Walk” ridge path to the Männlichen summit viewpoint. The panorama here — Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau in one sweep — is arguably the best single view in the region.
From Männlichen, you can also descend to Kleine Scheidegg on a well-marked 4 km hike through flower meadows before catching the cogwheel back to Grindelwald.
- Gondola: From Grindelwald Terminal, CHF 38 return (25% discount with Swiss Travel Pass)
- Time needed: 3–4 hours for the full Männlichen–Kleine Scheidegg loop
7. Eiger Trail
For something more dramatic, the Eiger Trail runs directly beneath the legendary 1,800 m north face of the Eiger, from Eigergletscher station down to Alpiglen. It’s a 6 km, 2–3 hour descent with relentless views of the sheer wall above you.
- Getting there: Take the Jungfrau Railway to Eigergletscher station
- Difficulty: Moderate; some rocky sections, requires good footwear
- One-way only: Descend to Alpiglen, then take the BOB back to Grindelwald
8. Paragliding Over the Valley
Fancy seeing all of the above from the air? Paragliding tandem flights launch from First or Männlichen and glide over the valley floor with the north face as your backdrop. No experience is needed. Your certified pilot does all the work while you do all the grinning.
- Cost: From CHF 160–190 for a tandem flight
- Duration: 10–20 minutes in the air
- Providers: Several certified operators in the village; book in advance in peak season
9. Visit Grindelwald Village
In between all the mountain activity, give yourself an afternoon to simply wander the village. The main street is lined with traditional chalets, local bakeries, and a variety of good restaurants. The church and its churchyard with a direct view of the Eiger make for a quietly perfect moment.
Pick up a chunk of Bernese Oberland cheese, browse one of the craft shops for hand-carved wooden goods, or simply sit at a café terrace and let the scenery do the talking.
10. Winter Sledging on the Bussalp Run
One of the most joyful winter activities in Grindelwald is night sledding on the Bussalp run, a 6 km natural toboggan route that descends back to the valley in sweeping curves. Sleds are available to hire, and the run is lit after dark on certain evenings. It’s ridiculously fun.
- Cost: From CHF 10 sled hire; bus up included in lift pass
- Season: January–March depending on snow conditions
When to Go to Grindelwald
| Season | Highlights | Watch-outs |
| Dec–Mar | World-class skiing, snow-covered village, sledging | Cold; Jungfraujoch can cloud over; book accommodation early |
| Apr–May | Quieter, spring wildflowers, cheaper prices | Higher trails may still have snow; some lifts closed |
| Jun–Aug | All trails open, warmest weather, long daylight hours | Peak season — book everything in advance; busy gondolas |
| Sep–Oct | Golden larches, crisp air, thinner crowds | Shorter days; some higher facilities close by mid-October |
Grindelwald Budget Tips
- Swiss Travel Pass is an excellent value if you’re combining Grindelwald with Interlaken, Lucerne, or Bern. It covers the BOB train, half price on Jungfraujoch, and discounts on most mountain gondolas.
- Book Jungfraujoch early and online. The “Good Morning Ticket” (departures before 08:00) is significantly cheaper.
- Self-cater for lunches: Grab supplies from the Co-op in the village and picnic at altitude. Summit restaurants are pricey.
- Stay in Grindelwald itself rather than Interlaken to save on daily travel costs and make the most of early-morning light on the mountains.
- Prioritise one big mountain day (Jungfraujoch) and supplement with free or low-cost hikes from the village rather than taking gondolas every day.
Sustainable & Responsible Travel Tips
- Take the train all the way. Switzerland’s rail network makes car travel entirely unnecessary here.
- Stick to marked trails to protect fragile alpine vegetation; the meadows are more delicate than they look.
- Pack reusable bottles. There are fresh water fountains throughout the village and on the mountain.
- Choose locally-owned accommodation and restaurants over international chains to keep money in the community.
- If you visit in peak summer, consider hiking early in the morning (before 09:00) to reduce pressure on the most popular trails.
Leave a Reply