Grindelwald: Mountain Scenery, Trails and Village Culture

Grindelwald combines dramatic mountain scenery with hiking trails, mountain activities and village experiences. For your stay, it helps to plan around your interests: a hike to Bachalpsee, a visit to the Glacier Gorge and an insight into village history each offer a different focus.

Train and bus

Grindelwald station is the terminus of the Bernese Oberland Railway. The Eiger Express runs directly from Grindelwald Terminal to Eigergletscher. Bus 122 runs from Grindelwald station directly to the Glacier Gorge stop at the entrance; the journey takes around 15 minutes. Check the timetable before travelling.

Mountain scenery, hiking trails and activities at First

The mountains around Grindelwald are part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site. Long-distance hiking trails also pass through Grindelwald: stages 15 and 16 of the 300-kilometre Via Berna are in the area, and the green route of the Via Alpina passes through Grindelwald.

First View offers seven different perspectives on the Alpine peaks of the Bernese Oberland. The First Cliff Walk presented by Tissot includes a walkway that extends 45 metres out over the abyss. Speeds of up to 84 km/h are possible in the air on the First Flyer; the speed may vary depending on operating rules.

The hiking trail to Bachalpsee starts and ends at the First mountain station. Check trail conditions before setting out. The seasonal First Mountain Cart route runs downhill from Schreckfeld to Bort; the also-seasonal First Trottibike route runs downhill from Bort to Grindelwald. The Grindelwald-First ski area offers a snowpark and fast runs; skiing is seasonal.

Glacier Gorge and Pfingstegg

Water and ice, along with scree and rocks, have carved the Grindelwald Glacier Gorge up to 300 metres deep into the rock. The secured wooden walkway runs for about a kilometre through several tunnels and natural rock corridors. Another feature is the Spiderweb: the 170-square-metre net is suspended seven metres above the Lütschine.

The Canyon Swing offers a different kind of experience: its platform is 90 metres above the floor of the Glacier Gorge. Participants first free-fall for 50 metres before the rope catches them and they swing through the narrow gorge at around 120 km/h. The operating season may vary.

The Pfingstegg toboggan run is around 725 metres long and can be reached by cable car or on foot in about an hour. Conditions and operations may vary by season. On the Pfingstegg Fly-Line, visitors glide seated through the forest in a suspended stainless-steel tube system attached to trees; speeds range from 8 to 12 km/h. Operations depend on the facility’s conditions.

Village history, indoor activities and winter

The Grindelwald Museum is located by the church in the village centre and is easily reached by bus. It traces Grindelwald’s development from a mountain farming village to a well-known holiday resort and showcases local topics such as agriculture and alpine farming, crafts and technology. Alongside mountain and outdoor activities, the village’s history is also a central focus.

The Indoor Seilpark Grindelwald is located right inside the sports centre and can be reached on foot or by public transport. It has five courses with a total of 40 elements. It is open year-round, including in rain or snow; visitor dates may vary.

For winter activities for beginners, Bodmi Arena is right in the village. The 6,000-square-metre practice area is designed for children and beginners and includes the Snowli Village, four magic carpets, a platter lift, two rope lifts, a small fun park and a play area. Winter facilities may change; check the latest information before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Leissigen, Iseltwald, Unterseen, Brienzwiler, Därligen, Wilderswil, Gsteigwiler, Matten bei Interlaken.

Return to the main travel overview: Interlaken.