Grindelwald, a mountain resort in the Bernese Alps, is worth a vacation in any season. The legendary Eiger North Face can be seen from almost every angle. It is a challenge for ambitious mountaineers. More relaxed and educational are the themed trails through the Jungfrau Region.
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Whether on a summer hiking tour or by cable car - several paths lead up to the Grindelwald First at an altitude of 2,184 meters. Those with a head for heights venture onto the First Cliff Walk, an airy viewing path directly along the rock walls. Those who like action can try a mountain bike tour around the summit or dare a paragliding flight. In the cold season, you are in the First – Grindelwald ski area on skis and snowboards in the winter-white mountain landscape.
A head for heights is required when visiting the First Cliff Walk. The rock path leads over a spectacular suspension bridge to a floating viewing platform. Equipped with a glass floor, it seems to hover at a dizzying height. While enjoying the impressive view of the 3,967 m high Eiger on the First Cliff Walk, you can observe Alpine choughs taking off and landing on the railing. The suspension bridge has a span of 34 m and is 90 cm wide.
Secured with harnesses, thrill-seekers race down the 800-meter-long steel cable that leads from First to Schreckfeld. Speeds of up to 84 kilometers per hour are reached. Adrenaline junkies should weigh between 35 to a maximum of 125 kilos for the adventure. The courage is rewarded with breathtaking views of the Bernese Alps, including Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn, and Eiger. In the valley, the flight-experienced can choose whether to return by cable car, hike down to the Bort station, or continue to Grindelwald with the Trottibike.
On the Männlichen mountain in the heart of Switzerland, you can observe chamois, play the alphorn, and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau while hiking on the Royal Walk. You can conveniently reach this hiking paradise from Grindelwald by gondola. A unique experience is a ride on the open-air balcony of the Royal Ride, a state-of-the-art cable car that takes you up to Männlichen from Wengen. At the top, children are drawn to the Sennenspielplatz with slides, trampolines, and an 8.5-meter-high giant cow made of wood and steel.
The Bachalpsee, also known as Bachsee, is located in the middle of the Bernese Alps above the First in Grindelwald. From there, hikers reach the "Jewel of the Alps," as the body of water is also called due to its beauty, in about 50 minutes. Why the Bachalpsee is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the Alps is revealed to hikers who have overcome the 2,265-meter height. When looking at the mountain lake, the peaks of the Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn, Finsteraarhorn, and the Grindelwald Glacier are reflected on the surface.
The Eiger is one of the most distinctive mountains of the Bernese Alps. The Eiger North Face is considered one of the most challenging alpine climbing routes. From mountain climbing to mountain rescue, the museum takes you through the climbing history of the Eiger and its unbroken myth. In addition to mountain history, the museum promises an interesting journey through time. Immerse yourself in alpine rural life and follow the development into a popular tourist destination. The attached museum shop offers plenty of in-depth reading material for alpine enthusiasts.
Located between Thun and Grindelwald in the Bernese Oberland, the Weissenau ruin offers insights into the past. The lowland castle, dating from the 13th century, is a popular excursion destination. You reach the viewing platform via 71 steps, from which you can enjoy a beautiful view over the Aare, Lake Thun, and the Niesen.
The Lütschine flows through the impressive glacier gorge in Grindelwald in the Bernese Alps. The rugged rock walls are up to 300 m high. Between them stretches the spider web, a 170 m² walkable construction. Every Friday evening, you can visit the gorge until 10 PM and enjoy a breathtaking light spectacle.
The Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge near Grindelwald is a natural wonder of the Alps. Over millennia, the water of the Weissenbach created a masterpiece in the rock. On a 45-minute hike, you can admire roaring waterfalls, picturesque grottos, and bizarre rock formations. The glacier gorge is open from May to October.
The sparkling Bachalpsee is nestled in the charming mountain landscape above Grindelwald. The hike to the lake begins at the First mountain station, which you can reach by gondola. From First, the path to the lake is clearly marked. Discover enchanting moorlands with a unique alpine flora against an impressive mountain backdrop.
Use the first vacation day in Grindelwald, amidst the Bernese Alps, for an initial exploration of the town center with its many cozy houses in typical alpine style. Then head directly to the 2,184 m high First, Grindelwald's local mountain. You can reach it, as an alternative to a sporty hike, quite comfortably with a fantastic panoramic view by gondola, which starts directly in the town center. Around the summit, a varied network of hiking trails awaits every sporting ambition, both in summer and as an adventurous snowshoe hike in the cold season. And speaking of adventurous: those who are not afraid of heights can try a tour with the First Flyer. This is a zip line that takes you with plenty of adrenaline up to 50 m above the ground at a top speed of around 80 kilometers per hour rapidly down to the Schreckfeld gondola station.
The second day in Grindelwald starts off sporty. This region in the Swiss Alps is a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts. The local mountain First offers exciting freeride routes for skiing and snowboarding. The combined ski area Jungfrau Ski Region Grindelwald - Wengen has about 160 kilometers of slopes. The slopes, with their predominantly easy and medium difficulty levels, are well-suited for beginners on the boards as well as for families. Some black slopes for the experienced complement the slope plan. In summer, a very special adventure awaits the whole family at the summit of Grindelwald's First with the First Cliff Walk. The path initially leads along a suspension bridge at airy heights beside the summit. It ends as a highlight on a viewing platform, where you can walk far into the "nothingness" high above the ground. This is the perfect place for spectacular photos of the alpine peaks surrounding your holiday destination Grindelwald.
The third day in Grindelwald is all about adrenaline and fun. First, your path leads to the Grindelwald Glacier Gorge. Approximately 300 high rock walls line the impressive gorge through which the Lütschine River carves its way. An absolute highlight is the Spiderweb. This is a net stretched from rock wall to rock wall, inviting those with no fear of heights to climb directly above the roaring rush of the water. In the afternoon, the adventurous fun continues with a visit to the Pfingstegg toboggan run. On this summer toboggan run, young and old alike take sharp turns. And for those who haven't had enough of the adrenaline rush, they can strap on the safety harness for the Fly-Line Pfingstegg and swing high between the trees, similar to a zip line. In winter, the longest sledding run in all of Europe beckons. On an incredible 15 km length, you can sled from the summit of the Faulhorn at 2,681 m down to Grindelwald.
If you are planning a vacation in Grindelwald, be prepared for cooler temperatures in the summer compared to the valley. Even in the height of summer, the temperature only reaches 22 or 23 ℃. The most pleasant time is from April to August with six or seven hours of sunshine daily. It is worth bringing an umbrella: There is particularly heavy rainfall from June to August, with an average of 15 to 16 days of rain. From November, precipitation falls in the form of snow. By March, the snow cover on the mountain reaches a height of 130 cm.