Things to Do in Grindelwald: Village, First & Big Peaks

How Grindelwald Is Laid Out

The village core sits around the train station, with shops, cafés and the museum within a short walk. The First gondola base is at the far end of the village, roughly opposite the station, so the ride up is a 25-minute climb past two mid-mountain stops. Keep that geography in mind when booking a place to sleep: the closer you are to the middle, the less shuttling you do on foot.

The second cable-car base is Grindelwald Terminal, where the tricable Eiger Express leaves for Eigergletscher in about 15 minutes. That makes it a different starting point from the First gondola: one goes to a viewpoint and adventure park, the other feeds the high-mountain railway toward Jungfraujoch. Getting this straight on day one saves a wrong-direction walk.

Grindelwald First: The Gondola and Its Three Stations

The gondola from Grindelwald to First takes about 25 minutes and passes Bort and Schreckfeld before the summit. Each stop serves something different: Bort has a playground and is where the Trottibike scooters start, Schreckfeld is the base for the Mountain Cart and the First Glider, and the top station serves the Cliff Walk and the lake trail. Ride to the top first, then work your way down, or reverse the order if you want to beat queues at popular rides.

For a broad choice of named viewpoints above the valley, it helps to know which summit delivers which view before you buy a ticket.

First Cliff Walk by Tissot

The Cliff Walk is a metal walkway and swinging bridge fixed to the side of the mountain, ending at a viewing platform over the ravine. It is free to enter, needs no special gear and takes little time, which makes it the one thing to do at First if you only manage a single activity. People with a fear of heights may find the first steps unnerving, but the structure is secure and the payoff is panoramic.

Because it sits right at the top station, most visitors combine it with the summit terraces before heading down. Go early if you want the walkway with fewer people on it.

Bachalpsee: The Easy Hike From First

From the First station, the trail to Bachalpsee is short with little elevation gain and doable for most fitness levels. The out-and-back version takes roughly two hours at an easy pace, and the lake itself, backed by peaks, is the reward. Its one drawback is popularity: this is a busy path, so an early start makes a real difference.

Longer options run from the same trailhead, including a loop down to Bort, but the simple lake walk suits families and first-timers best. Carry water and a layer, since conditions change quickly at this altitude.

Adventure Rides: Who Each One Suits

The First Glider pulls up to four riders backward up the slope and then flies them face-down at speed, with a maximum weight of 125 kg and bags left behind. The First Flyer is a seated zip line from First down to Schreckfeld, with a minimum weight of 35 kg. Both require separate tickets and reward an early arrival because queues build fast.

The Mountain Cart runs from Schreckfeld down to Bort on a mountain go-kart with big tires, and drivers must be at least 135 cm tall and able to steer and brake alone. The Trottibike scooter starts at Bort and descends all the way to the village, suits riders from 125 cm, and feels steeper and faster than the cart. The cart and scooter are summer activities, while the Glider, Flyer and Cliff Walk usually run in winter too when weather allows.

What First Costs

The Grindelwald–First round-trip gondola ticket runs 72 CHF per person, with 50% off for Swiss Travel Pass or Half-Fare Card holders. Children under 16 pay half and under-6s ride free, and a day ticket lets you get on and off at Bort and Schreckfeld as often as you like.

The First Glider and First Flyer cost 31 CHF each, or 24 CHF for under-15s, while the Mountain Cart and Trottibike are 21 CHF per ride, or 17 CHF for younger riders. Combined adventure packages bundle the gondola with one or two rides. Tickets bought in advance are not refunded if weather shuts the rides, so paying on the spot keeps your options open.

Grindelwald Gletscherschlucht

The glacier canyon, Gletscherschlucht, is a gorge cut by meltwater with 300-meter cliffs and an elevated walkway through it. The approach from the village is under a mile, starting beyond the canyon hotel, which makes it an easy half-day paired with village time. Inside, a suspended Spiderweb over the river adds a playful option, and a canyon swing handles the adrenaline.

Admission is 19 CHF per adult according to the published rate. The walkway is the main draw; the swing is a separate decision and worth pricing before you commit.

Eiger Express and Going Higher

The Eiger Express is a tricable gondola carrying 26 passengers per cabin from Grindelwald Terminal to Eigergletscher in about 15 minutes. From there, the Jungfrau Railway continues through tunnels to Jungfraujoch, the highest station in Europe at 3,454 meters, where the Aletsch Glacier and an ice palace await. The fast route totals about 45 minutes one way; the classic cogwheel route via Kleine Scheidegg takes around 1 hour 15 minutes and gives you the alpine rail experience.

Plan 5 to 6 hours for the full Jungfraujoch excursion including time on top, and take the altitude seriously: the air is thin and effects can hit quickly. The trip is a big-ticket day, so weigh it against a simpler First day if your time is short.

Village Time and Pfingstegg

A stroll through the center covers the shops, the Grindelwald Museum and the mountain backdrop that defines the village. The Pfingstegg cable car climbs to a summer toboggan run of 725 meters, reached in a short ride from its valley station; the run is a quick thrill rather than a full-day activity.

If you need gear or warmer layers, the village shops cover the basics, and rental outfits such as Buri Sport supply equipment for the mountains.

How Many Days Grindelwald Needs

One full day covers First: ride up, walk the Cliff Walk, hike to Bachalpsee and take one or two rides down. A second day handles the glacier canyon and a slow village afternoon, and a third allows the Eiger Express and Jungfraujoch without rushing. If you only have one day, choose First and leave the high peaks for another trip.

When to Go

Most rides and trails operate across the warmer months, but the Mountain Cart and Trottibike are summer-only, generally from spring to late October. The Glider, Flyer and Cliff Walk usually run in winter as well when weather permits. The First gondola generally runs most of the year but stops for a few weeks from November to mid-December, which catches out visitors planning a late-autumn trip.

Money and Pass Trade-offs

If you plan three to eight days in the region, a multi-day summer pass that covers gondolas and trains can pay off, though it does not include the extra rides at First. Half-Fare and Swiss Travel Pass holders get 50% off the gondola, so carry the card and buy at the counter. For a single day at First, an adventure package that bundles the gondola with rides is usually the simplest way to control the cost.

What to Expect on First in Winter, and How to Get There

A question the guide leaves open is what changes on First once the snow arrives. Some of the adventurous mountain attractions are only available in summer. For example, Mountain Cart and Trottibike are summer activities (April-May to late October), but First Glider, First Flyer, and Cliff Walk are usually open in the winter as well (weather permitting). In winter, the area is very popular with skiers and snowboarders. The First Flyer and First Glider are short but thrilling, and they are usually open during the winter season depending on conditions. On one visit, heavy snow had just closed them. Keep in mind that you can only visit Grindelwald-First when the gondola is running, which is usually almost all year except for a few weeks in November to mid-December.

Winter also changes the walk to Bachalpsee. In winter, the trail can be icy or closed altogether, so it is worth checking conditions at the First station before setting out. Those who prefer to pull children along can rent a sled from Burisport in the village of Grindelwald, and the outing takes 1.5 hours or more. Even without reaching the lake, shorter walks around the First area still offer views.

Reaching the mountain is straightforward. The cable car departs from the far end of the village, opposite the Grindelwald train station, on a ride of about 25 minutes with two mid-mountain stops along the way. The small gondolas seat four people. Tickets can be bought at the walk-up counter, though booking ahead online can save time during peak holiday periods. An adult round-trip to First costs roughly CHF 38, while Swiss Travel Pass, Eurail Pass or Jungfrau Travel Pass holders get 50% off the listed adult price, and children aged 6–15 travel free with a Swiss Junior Card when accompanied by a parent.

Plan Your Visit

Build the trip around First for the guaranteed highlight, add the glacier canyon and village for a second day, and treat Jungfraujoch as an optional third day rather than a default. Buy thrill rides on the spot when weather is uncertain, and keep a Half-Fare or Swiss Travel Pass handy if you are touring the region. Check the current gondola schedule and ride prices before you travel, since they change by season.

For a wider Swiss itinerary, other cities fit neatly into a rail loop, and short guides make the planning straightforward, such as these things to do in Bern if you want an old-town day between mountain excursions.