Grindelwald is a picturesque Swiss town tucked into the Bernese Alps filled with unparalleled beauty and adventure! It is a popular place to visit and I highly recommend adding it to your Switzerland itinerary. Keep reading to discover the best things to do in Grindelwald, Switzerland!
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8 of the Best Things to Do in Grindelwald
Table of Contents
- Stay at Alpinhotel Bort
- Do the First Cliff Walk
- Hike to Bachalpsee
- Ride the Mountain Carts
- Check Out Grindelwald Glacier Gorge
- Visit the Top of Europe
- Enjoy a Fondue Gondola Dinner
- Explore Downtown Grindelwald
Stay at Alpinhotel Bort
For a memorable stay, book a room at Alpinhotel Bort. This cozy bed and breakfast is perched high above the valley right by the cable car middle station on the way to Grindelwald First.
The hotel is basic with a rustic alpine charm combined with modern comfort. But what makes it so special, is waking up to the most incredible panoramic view.
The way the early morning sun slants across the valley nestled at the foot of the iconic Eiger Mountain is like a scene straight out of a fairytale book!
It is absolutely dreamy to eat breakfast while being surrounded by breathtaking views.
To reach the hotel, you’ll need to take the cable car from the bottom station and then get off at the first middle station. In the summer, you can also drive up to the hotel on a narrow paved path.
We also love staying here as it offers easy access to the popular Grindelwald First attractions.
It is a 25-minute cable car ride from the valley station to Grindelwald First. However, it is only about a 7-minute ride from the middle station next to the hotel. If you drive to the hotel, the cable car ticket from the middle station is also about half the cost of the price coming from the valley station.
Grindelwald First is a popular destination, so staying close will make it easier to arrive right when it opens so that you can beat the crowds.
Do the First Cliff Walk
The First Cliff Walk is a free attraction at Grindelwald First where you’ll find an elevated steel walkway attached to a sheer cliff.
The circular path is about 1,000 feet long and includes a swing bridge. It takes about 15 minutes to complete the track and you’ll be surrounded by jaw-dropping views the entire time.
The walkway ends at a breathtaking viewpoint over the Alps.
The glass-bottom viewing deck is suspended high in the air and you’ll feel like you’re standing on top of the world!
There is often a long line to get a photo at the observation point at the end, so plan to arrive early.
The Grindelwald First Mountain Station and each of the middle stations have restaurants if you want to enjoy a meal with a view.
Hike to Bachalpsee
From Grindelwald First, you’ll find a well-marked trail that leads to Bachalpsee, or Lake Bachalp (‘see’ is German for ‘lake’).
Bachalpsee is one of the most photographed alpine lakes in Switzerland.
The scenic 3.8-mile out-and-back trail is rated moderate. The trail starts with a steep incline, but levels out with more gradual hills along the way.
It will take you through serene alpine meadows surrounded by snowy mountain peaks.
When you first reach the lake, it might seem a little anti-climatic.
To fully appreciate the beauty of Bachalpsee, you’ll need to keep walking to the backside of the lake.
From here, you’ll be able to soak in the majestic view of the jewel-toned lake backed by the rugged peaks of the Bernese Alps.
If you visit in the early morning or evening, the glassy water perfectly reflects the Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn, and Finsteraarhorn mountain peaks.
If you are brave, take a dip in the frigid alpine lake, or enjoy a picnic on one of the benches scattered around the lake shore.
Just use caution around the cows. We found the cows here to be more aggressive than anywhere else we visited.
Even while unprovoked, I was charged from behind and knocked over while taking a photo of the lake. We also witnessed 3 hikers getting knocked off the trail by cows. Maybe the cows were more agitated the day we visited, but I just wanted to warn you to give them space and keep your distance!
For more hiking trail recommendations, see our guide 4 of the Best Hikes in Switzerland (For the Average Hiker)!
Ride the Mountain Carts
Grindelwald First offers a variety of ‘Top of Adventure’ activities. These include:
- First Flyer: A giant zipline that lets you soar 2600 feet over the landscape at speeds up to 52 miles per hour.
- First Glider: Experience the sensation of flying like an eagle as you soar down the mountain at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.
- Mountain Carts: Cruise down the mountain on these adventurous three-wheeled trikes!
- Trottibikes: These rugged off-road scooters are a fun way to descend the mountain at your own pace, with plenty of photo opportunities along the way.
These activities are extremely popular and it is highly recommended to book in advance. However, I wouldn’t book more than a day or two in advance so that you can keep an eye on the forecast, as some of the activities close during bad weather.
You can expect a long wait even when you book in advance. It is best to arrive early, which is a big advantage of staying nearby at Alpinhotel Bort.
You can combine the activities for the ultimate adventure. Begin by purchasing a one-way cable car ticket to Grindelwald First. From the top station, take either the First Flyer or First Glider down to the Schreckfeld middle station.
From there, take the mountain carts down to the Bort middle station (where the hotel is). At Bort, you can hop on the Trottibikes and ride them all the way down the paved path to the Grindelwald Valley station at the bottom! Combo tickets are available, check the website for pricing.
When we visited, the glider and flyer were sold out, but the mountain carts were so much fun! It was like driving on a real-life Mario Kart track!
The mountain carts were one of our favorite activities during our trip. For our full itinerary, see our guide An Ambitious 7-Day Switzerland Itinerary.
The track alternates between gravel and pavement as it winds down the mountain with amazing views the entire way.
The track is just shy of 2 miles. It descends approximately 1250 feet in elevation and takes about 30 minutes to complete. Riders must be 6 years and older to ride.
Check Out Grindelwald Glacier Gorge
If you’re looking for more adventure, head over to Grindelwald Glacier Gorge, also known as Gletscherschlucht.
The narrow gorge was formed over 250 million years ago and visitors can explore this natural wonder along a 2,800-foot-long elevated catwalk.
You can also jump and climb on a giant spiderweb suspended between the walls of the gorge high above the river.
If you’re an adrenaline junkie, you also won’t want to miss the canyon swing!
The canyon swing includes a jump from a platform almost 300 feet above the canyon floor. You’ll freefall before swinging out into the canyon at a speed of almost 75 miles per hour! It’s definitely a bucket list adventure you’ll never forget!
Visit the Top of Europe
When they say the journey is as good as the destination, they might have been referring to the journey to Jungfraujoch, or the “Top of Europe”!
The journey includes a ride on the highest railway in the world where you’ll be treated to unmatched views the entire way.
Once you reach the top of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll be blown away by the views and the fact that it is covered in snow 365 days a year!
There are also plenty of activities to do at the top, including a snow park with sledding, tubing, ziplines, and skiing. The Ice Palace is also a cool attraction, and you’ll find a multi-media experience, a restaurant, and the highest Lindt chocolate store in the world.
Enjoy a Fondue Gondola Dinner
When visiting Switzerland, eating fondue should definitely be on your bucket list!
The Swiss began dipping bread into a communal pot of melted cheese all the way back in the 1700s. It wasn’t until the 1930s when fondue was introduced to the rest of the world, and it has been a beloved and iconic comfort dish ever since!
For a unique and intimate dining experience, make reservations for the Fondue Gondola Dinner at Hotel Belvedere in Grindelwald where you can enjoy a cozy Swiss fondue dinner inside a private vintage gondola.
It’s a one-of-a-kind experience, combining delicious Swiss cuisine, alpine charm, and the beauty of Grindelwald Valley and the surrounding mountains.
I will say that my husband was disappointed that the meal didn’t include meat. Traditional Swiss fondue consists of only bread and potatoes dipped in cheese.
I thought it was still absolutely delicious and utterly charming, but just something to keep in mind!
If you prefer to stay in town instead of at Alpinhotel Bort, the Hotel Belvedere is a great option where you’ll find luxury right in the heart of town.
Explore Downtown Grindelwald
Downtown Grindelwald is a small mountain town full of charm and personality. Stroll through the village streets and you’ll discover cozy cafes, boutiques, and local souvenir shops.
Buri Sport is a great spot for outdoor gear and Swiss-made products. Holzschopf Grindelwald is a local favorite for Swiss handicrafts and souvenirs. Backerei-Konditorei-Café Ringgenberg is a great place to pick up delicious coffee, pastries, or Swiss chocolates.
I also recommend stopping by the Grindelwald Museum where you can learn about the town’s heritage and early history.
We loved spending the evening walking up and down the cute main street and stopping for ice cream or to admire the handmade souvenirs.
Grindelwald was one of the highlights of our trip and hopefully, this guide will help you discover the best things to do in Grindelwald!
Lauterbrunnen is another storybook town about 20 minutes from Grindelwald. If you’re planning to visit, see our guide 9 of the Best Things to Do in Lauterbrunnen for recommendations!
A few more posts you might like:
- 9 Things to Do in Lucerne in One Day
- Weekend Guide to Oeschinensee
- A Complete Guide to Hiking the Stoos Ridge Trail
- The Best Things to Do in Meiringen (A Swiss Hidden Gem)
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