Grindelwald Travel Guide: Hikes, First & the Eiger
A Grindelwald guide: the First cliff walk and hikes, the new Eiger Express to Jungfraujoch, where to stay, and how to get there from Interlaken.
Grindelwald is a working mountain village turned Alpine resort, spread across a green bowl directly beneath the north face of the Eiger. Where Interlaken is a hub, Grindelwald is a place to actually be in the mountains — it’s the Jungfrau region’s best base for hikers.
Best things to do
- Grindelwald–First — a cable car to a plateau with the First Cliff Walk (a walkway pinned to the rock face), the First Flyer zip line, and mountain carts on the way down.
- Bachalpsee — an easy, gorgeous hike from First to a mirror lake reflecting the Wetterhorn. The region’s signature walk.
- Eiger Trail — a more demanding path running along the foot of the Eiger’s north face.
- Männlichen — a gentle ridge walk with panoramic views over to Lauterbrunnen, reachable by cable car.
- Pfingstegg toboggan run — a fast summer fun ride above the village.
The Eiger Express
The Eiger Express gondola links Grindelwald Terminal directly toward Jungfraujoch, cutting the journey to the “Top of Europe” significantly. If you’re weighing that big excursion, read our Jungfraujoch verdict first.
Where to stay
Grindelwald has everything from hostels to grand hotels, many with Eiger views — request one when you book. Staying here rather than down in Interlaken means quieter evenings and earlier access to the trails, at the cost of a little convenience.
Getting there
From Interlaken Ost trains reach Grindelwald in about 35 minutes, running roughly twice an hour and covered by the Swiss Travel Pass. See the Interlaken guide for how the whole region connects.
Frequently asked questions
Grindelwald or Interlaken — which is a better base?
Interlaken is more convenient and better connected for a first trip that mixes lakes and mountains. Grindelwald is better if you mainly want to hike and wake up surrounded by peaks. Many people base in Interlaken and day-trip to Grindelwald.
What is there to do in Grindelwald besides Jungfraujoch?
Plenty: the First cliff walk, First Flyer zip line and mountain carts; hikes to Bachalpsee and along the Eiger Trail; the Pfingstegg toboggan run; and the Grindelwald–First and Männlichen cable cars for easy high-altitude walking.
Written by Christoph Burgdorfer
Swiss-based traveler writing first-hand, up-to-date guides to getting the most out of Switzerland — trains, mountains, and real prices in Swiss francs.
Published